Complexity kills creativity.
Complexity gives you an excuse not to do the work that matters most because you’re too busy making the perfect plans for it.
Complexity keeps you from just starting & figuring things out on the fly.
You get the same dopamine rush from thinking about completing a project, as you actually would from completing the project in real life.
Planning always feels good. It tricks the brain to think it’s actually creating something that matters. This is addicting.
Completing projects year after year takes hard work & guts. You have to put your ego on the line. People will judge you.
Planning, without execution, just takes a standard human brain. It has zero value.
Planning can be a trap. You could spend your entire life in this trap.
Many have.
Every day spent planning is a day lost creating.
Even worse, it’s a day lost learning from your real-life mistakes.
These mistakes only happen when you create new stuff.
Consistent creative work, on meaningful topics, separate you from the pack and force you to learn and problem-solve every day.
Over time, you become an expert at solving problems and trusting in yourself to make the right decisions with the resources you have.
This is one skill set that always has been and always will be, very scarce. You’ll always be in demand.
This creative process is where the true value lies.
BUT… this only holds true if you get this creative work out to the world on a regular basis. This makes things real. It holds you accountable. You have to ship the work.
There is a fine balance between planning & creating.
Having a simple plan in place, which produces a motivation to create, long term, is essential.
Having a new plan every few weeks, but rarely starting projects, and never finishing them, is not who we want to be.
Small steps, taken every day, over a lifetime, can build an empire of knowledge, art & creative outcomes.
Make things simple.
Envision the outcome of your next creative project. What would it look like if everything went perfectly and you couldn’t fail?
Now, Ask yourself, “What would it look like if it were easy?”.
What would it look like if you removed all those small hurdles & excuses that are keeping you from starting?
I know, you need all these things to make your project perfect!
Perfection kills creativity.
Remove the expectation of perfect.
- Perfect takes too much time.
- 80% of perfect is good enough at first.
- 80% lets you get to work without excuses.
- 80% is your minimum viable product.
You can make adjustments later, once you know more & the project starts to take shape.
Write down the first 3 actions required to start your project or continue a project you’re already working on.
- Make these the smallest actions or steps possible.
- Do this in 10 minutes max.
- Block out 2 hours, with no internet, no cell phone, and no distractions.
- Get to work.
- Repeat.
While others are making their perfect plans, you’re learning & creating.
This is where you want to be.
Thanks for taking the time to write this. It has never dawned on me that my planning was a grab for dopamine. It makes total sense now.
You’re welcome.
Dave
Spot on Dave with your comments. Just retired from an organisation that was obsessed with planning. They would have the big organisation plan then smaller plans to feed into the big plan. Then an action plan for each of the smaller plans and a risk management plan for the big plan and the smaller plans. For me it was what do we want to do and then how do we do it then get it done.
As for perfection, agree with what you said. I would rather have 80% of something really good as opposed to 100% of something middle of the road
Thanks Jim.
You may enjoy the book, Getting Things Done. It’s the approach I use for planning.
Dave
Dave,
Your brilliant article The Biggest Mistake Creators Make is made into my personal collection of selected “THOUGHTS FOR LIFE.”
Thank you.
Thanks, glad you liked it.
Dave
Dave nicely said. As a retired COO I know in a business organization Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. However as a photographer/artist one has to be willing to fail in the creation of a work of art. Yes we all have to plan such as location, travel, timing, financing etc. But the real goal is to create and creativity doesn’t always follow the plan. Yesterday I took 3 hours driving around country roads looking for images to photograph. No real idea of what I would find but low and behold, I came away with 5 very nice images. None of them were planned and I could have just as well found nothing as the light continued to change. This actually for me is more exciting and rewarding than to plan a shot and than be disappointed that the image didn’t turn out the way I imagined because of light, or weather or whatever. I believe if you seek you will find even without a plan. Looking forward to your continued you tube publications.
Thanks for reading.
Creativity falls within the plan, because you need to have ample free time and a motivational direction to be creative.
Creatives need a lot of time for experimentation without the guarantee of a final product. Businesses call this R&D. You may call it free time to do what you feel like, without a plan.
Without planning , free time will never just show up.
Without direction, we don’t even know what to work on or have the drive to do it, in your case, taking photos.
I think you have a large plan in place which allows you to go out and create. It just might not be defined in an actual step by step process which is what we’re used to seeing in businesses.
Somehow you got a camera, learned to use it, then planned a block of time to go out and do something creative, which was shoot without a plan.
The big block of free time to experiment is the outcome of the plan you put in place.
Making big blocks of free time to experiment without a plan is one of the smartest things creative people can do.
Thanks for your comment. I enjoy chatting about this stuff.
Dave
Hi Dave
Great article! I totally agree about having block time to experiment. I find it helps to increase creativity, as there’s no expected perfect result, but rather working towards an idea. It also gives room to improve what your working on. Sometimes the best outcomes are from having that freedom to experiment and mess up. It’s learning in action, rather than theory. Bad results can be a motivation to improve, and create more. It takes more time and effort, but its worth it! And its rewarding when you can walk away with something that actually worked out.
Hey Heike,
Thanks!
I agree with you. Working towards the idea we have in our mind, of what we want to create, is what experimentation is all about.
The idea, which provides motivation, and a small plan to ensure that motivation stays around, are both key.
Currently, I’ve been working / experimenting with a new project all summer. Probably 3 months of work. I have zero idea if I’ll ever use it in my business or photography. One things for sure. I’ve learned so many things from all of the small experiments in this project, it was well worth the time.
Thanks for reading & chatting!
Dave
Thanks Dave – Perfection is a lie. We need to be constantly reminded of the fact.
“Perfection Paralysis” will suck you dry
You’re welcome, Richard.
Have a good one!
Dave
Dave,
I really appreciate that you have taken time o provide some motivation for some of us who make excuses (myself included) on why we can’t go out and take pictures. I like the idea of doing at least one personal project a week, which includes projects that are outside of your niche in photography. I just recently discovered GURUSHOTS application, which actually has projects which you can vote on & submit your own pictures. You can win money; approximately $200/project and have fun growing your portfolio.
I really enjoy your videos, which I have found to be instructional; to actually see the application of photography concepts in real landscape photography situations.
I admire your dedication to photography.
Which photographers have influenced you the most, besides Ansel Adams.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks Patrick. Glad you found it helpful.
Actually, not inspired much by Ansel Adams. I’m into photographers that mix wilderness expeditions with photography.
Here are a few. Usually, check their sites ever 3 months, but that’s about it.
Ed Cooper
Floris van Breugel
Iron Tazz
Jack Brauer
Dave
This is doable and I’m excited about breaking into small steps. Although my current creative project is looking for a new home, it feels overwhelming and your approach brings a feeling of confidence as I boldly take these small steps. Thank you!
Read Getting Things Done. It will help!
Dave
Hi Dave
A lot of what you say is true, i do make excuses and reasons i cant start today.
I think sometimes i am not sure what type of photos to take i must lack focus or something.
I will try to decide on a lens and type of photograph and just stick to my decision.
Thanks for your advice
Regards
Sue Burrows
Having multiple projects to drive creativity works well. It doesn’t always have to be shooting or taking images.
Dave
Spot on, Dave! I always tell my wife to not plan for the perfect photo. Shoot and shoot and something will form and let you see. For some reason the same is with Fishing. She always says, “Isn’t morning the best time to fish?”. I tell her, “We can’t fish in the morning for a week so you know what, NOW is the perfect time to fish. And we never regret fishing at 1pm or 8pm. We all fall into that, “I need to do XYZ first.” mentality. Yet a few people can bypass it. I’m always amazed at that talent.
Thanks for reading, John.
Have a good one,
Dave
I always say “perfect is the enemy of good” and I”ll also start using “perfection kills creativity”. Sooo true… Thanks for the article.
You’re welcome. Glad you liked it.
Dave
What can I say Dave? You are on point as always and it’s taken me a lot of years of stubbornness, perfectionism, close-mindedness and yes, laziness to get what you are saying. That whole when the student is ready (me) the teacher will appear (you). I’m just starting this journey in my late fifties, but it’s great to have a purpose and a mentor at this stage. I don’t regret the past nor do I wish to shut the door on it if I learn from it. For now-onward!
Thanks really glad you liked it.
Writing always helps me to clarify thoughts. It’s the most powerful tool I’ve found for doing so. Dave
I like your thoughts and find application to my projects. This writing helped me realize my proclivity toward over engineering “up front” and delay in starting some projects – or rationalizing less important projects because they can be completed quickly. I get all the projects completed – however, as you point out at times it takes too long to start.
Looking forward to your next writing.
Also love your video’s. “Seeing” helps understanding and provides motivation and inspiration.
Thanks, Richard.
It’s a hard balance to find. I’m still working at getting better at project design all the time.
Making videos, writing, taking images, and experimenting with all types of media has been a great outlet for helping me to test these different projects.
Have fun!
Dave
Your thoughts are right on- sometimes we get so involved in planning we never make it out the door- Great topic- Keep’em coming!! You d nice work!
Thanks, Ronald.
Dave
Hi Dave,
Thank you for this article. I’m so glad I clicked on it in my emails, because it was exactly what I needed to read this morning.
I’m finding it difficult to juggle my 9-5 with advancing my photography and being in a position to professionally develop.
So I will be putting a couple of things into place so I can block out a couple of hours on the weekend.
Thanks again for the inspiration.
Hi Rona,
Love to hear that!
I would recommend two books.
1. Getting Things Done
2. Essentialism
If you follow the process, they will clarify what matters then you will have free time to work.
It will most likely require a big lifestyle change in how you spend time and current habits.
Those books really helped me when I was doing the 9-5+ photography.
I still use the methods each day.
Dave
Good for all walks of life -work, hobby, relationships – to name a few. Thanks for the insight.
You’re welcome, Thomas.
Thanks for reading,
Dave
For my photography these three phases (research, planning, and preparation) have extreme fine dividing lines. Often the research and preparation are crucial to the project’s success. Many times the planning & preparation phases help me solidify the original creation idea.
My initial creative idea was to capture a full lunar eclipse. I spent many hours and multiple trips scouting for the January 31, 2018 lunar eclipse. The result was a combination of 4 photographers each with different “assignments” for the project which was a huge success for all four of us.
That’s for sure. I’m glad you like technical stuff like that, as I do as well.
I’ll write some future articles that go into more detail on these topics as well.
Thanks for reading & commenting,
Dave
Exactly!
I love planning, get all fired up and excited but when things don’t evolve as quickly as the planning, nor feel quite as exciting, I find myself putting in contingency plans like, ‘I can always sell this off if it doesn’t really work’.
Thanks again Dave for your thoughtful words of wisdom.
I can see that time in the wilderness clarifies the important stuff.
You’re welcome.
Try going with an all-in mindset by investing money in yourself or your project, or making the project on a schedule where you share it with the world each week or month, or whatever.
Doing these things feel risky, but they force you to create.
It’s a good testbed for what you can handle and how hard you can push yourself outside your current comfort zone.
Hope that helps:)
Dave
So needed to hear this right now! I am 9 videos into a 55 episode YouTube historical photography reenactment project entitled “Tasmania Rediscovered” . Took me 2 years to research and plan, 3 weeks on the road solo filming in Tasmania earlier this year. Still finding my way, technically and emotionally, with the creation of each new episode. I need to relax and not be so picky about each one being perfect, and not be overwhelmed by what I have taken on and just do it! Thank you Dave!
If you feel like it, you are welcome to take a peek at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCY5goNQ0W6f8BUjj0o1zug
Thanks for letting me know!
That sounds really fun to create.
Big projects, which last months, are one of my biggest struggles too. The motivation is hard at time.
I’ll check it out!
Thanks
Dave
HiDave,
How right you are !! Spot on the money !!
There are a couple of older photographers on YouTube who have recently done vlogs, simply titled KISS !!! Keep it simple !?!?
So much Stuff around the internet making things So complex, it confuses people into paralysis!!!
Great article Dave !! You are a very Wise & Perceptive man !!
Keep up the great work you are doing!!
Regards,
Paul.
Thanks Paul. Glad you found it useful.
Dave
Excellent points. Planning brings down a lot of creative productive people. I like the 80% concept. Your post helped me re visit my planning process and what I found was good for me. I have been revising plans and not resetting specific measurable time frames to help me monitor progress. Checking deadline goals with various projects without time stamps caused me to loose valuable clues to things interfering with my work environments and accomplishing goals. Travel time to and from was killing me. Thanks.
That’s great, Gene.
Check out the book Getting Things Done. That system runs my life and deals with some of the issues you’re discussing. I have those same issues.
Dave
I am 83 years old and I have been taking acceptable photography in the last 5 years. I have been following you in the last couple of years. I enjoyed every videos that you have sent me. So, this last letter I received today from you I find you’re a genius in what you tell us. It’s true that if you try too much to be perfect there is a chance that you’ll loose time and probably never finish what you were trying to do in the first place.
Thank you so much for the good work.
Thanks so much, Gérald, that means a lot.
Let me know how it goes for you.
I’ll have some other articles like this one, in the future.
Enjoy your day buddy,
Dave
Dave
You’re killing me!
I spend way too much time planning and researching. And as you point out not doing.
You’re right, there is an excitement in the planning process. You mentally go on the trip during the planning without the dedication to get out and work the plan you just spent those hours coming up with.
Thanks for sharing
Rich
Go break some stuff aka experiment & test outside your comfort zone. That always works for me. You’ll learn a bunch of skill sets that can apply to all parts of life!
I like to see every experiment as a way to improve my problem-solving ability. Problem-solving is the ultimate skillset that transfers anywhere.
Have fun.
Dave
Hi Dave
Totally agree with your assessment. Im retired now but still the process applies.
Photography is my hobby and passion now, but previously I was writing software solutions and followed this routine in order to deliver. Procrastination moves in to stay if you don’t make the planning stage structured and accurate but with a view to starting the project in clear sight.
You have to have good control over unnecessary distractions, but take reasonable breaks to allow your brain to refresh because it consumes more energy than any other organ and after 2 hours of intense focussed concentration will need a 10-20 min change of focus.
Love your work and videos Dave. Thanks for sharing so generously
Hi Brice,
Thanks for reading!
I still have trouble finding the balance between planning, experimenting, and shipping (sharing the final product with the world).
Over time I’ve gotten better at knowing when it’s time to plan, time to experiment, and time to ship.
I think this, like all of the other skill sets, only comes from consistently creating stuff and seeing what happens.
Some of these things fail, and others do really well.
Often times my biggest successful projects are things that I doubted would work.
Having some rules for creating, such as I’m trying to distill in this blog, has really helped.
Thanks so much for reading & taking part in the conversation.
It’s a big help for everyone, including myself.
Dave
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your views, my wife and I put a lot into planning holidays and shall now spend more time into exploring and searching for the perfect photo shoot.
And thanks for your photography video and tips.
Much appreciated
Randy
Hey Randy,
Good to hear from you!
A nice mix of on the fly, back of the napkin planning, with some formal sit down planning, but most importantly, thrashing and experimenting works well for me.
Test it out on your own.
Worst case, you can go back to the old way, without much of a real loss:)
Dave
You made me think about planning in a different way. Thank you
You’re welcome. That’s great to hear. Thanks for letting me know.
Feedback like this is really helpful for future articles.
Dave
I say this this way, there are do-ers and there are talkers. The talkers would be the planners. I realized even in late high school that a lot of people just wanted to TALK about the things they wanted to do (trips they would take, what college they would go to, projects over the summer) but would never actually do them. This never stopped, I still meet people just like this all the time. These people are of little to no interest to me. I learned to gravitate toward the do-ers. Those that may or may not say much about what they are going to do, and instead just did it, and told you about it after the fact. I want to be around these people and still do. I tune out the talkers, they don’t help me do the things I want to do.
That’s for sure. I agree with you 100%.
I’m trying to turn some talkers into doers. So we will see what happens:)
For many of them, in my opinion, the motivation and work ethic seems to be there, since they will go to a 9-5 and work hard.
I think the thing that many lack is being able to put a step by step process in place for themselves, then starting, and taking small steps day after day.
I usually find that very granular steps, which drive next actions, are what most people don’t have. So they never start.
Thanks for reading & responding.
Talk to you next time,
Dave
Read this blog through, then the comments the article once more. Then I shut out the world and process it all.
Reading and thinking about your stuff always brings a mini revelation about who I am.
I’ve always known my strong suit isn’t creativity but what I did realize was I’ve always been an impatient fix it right and now type of person. See a problem, formulate a loose plan for correction, get my hands on it and do it. Damnit Dave!!! You got me to learn something about myself once again. Well done Sir.
What I have been able to begin to grasp this year is a vision of what I want for a result in a photograph. Then I reverse engineer the vision so in essence plan my shot. There may be hope yet.
Always appreciate your work Dave
Thanks
That’s great, Tony. Love to hear it.
Writing it always helps me to define what actually think & feel, so it’s a win-win.
Keep getting after it!
Dave
Exactly ther push I needed.
Thanks, Dave!
Great to hear it, Jason.
You have some really nice images!
Dave
Hi Dave,
Ye, you are absolutely right about this. This not only applies to photography it applies to many aspects of your life. I think you need some idea to start with and rest is basic planning, or some time trial and error. In my opinion, planning is an excuse not to do something. Another thing I’d say is learning from a mistake is so important but you have to accept and recognize it as a mistake otherwise you’ll never learn from it. Thank you.
Thanks Azee,
I never really thought about the inability to recognize mistakes as a mistake. I guess it’s the same as being able see if your project needs to change course, on the fly, in a different direction.
Will think more on this. Thanks for the thought!
Dave
Thanx. And while reading I was getting sad…
It just me – for years in chains of gilded cage. Plans, plans and plans. 5% executed. Many ideas, planed perfectly trips and next explaining myself i dont have time etc.
My comfort zone and mentioned earlier gilded cage prevents me from making first brave step. And it is just sad…
Hey Przemek,
It can all change right now.
Personally, so long as I’m working everday, even in small steps, on something I’m interested in, it doesn’t feel like a failure, even when I do fail.
When you’re actually jumping through the steps every day, creating new stuff, you at least learn to solve problems.
Here’s what I would do if I were you.
Pick a small project, that may take 1-2 weeks to complete. Make this project up in your head, it can be anything, so long as it contains two things.
1. You learn something new
2. It motivates you to learn this thing.
Play a movie roll in your mind of what the outcome of this project looks like if you couldn’t fail and everything goes perfectly.
Design your project out like this. Don’t worry about getting to perfection because it takes too much time, and don’t think about failure while designing the steps.
Next, take 10 minutes and write out the first 3 steps.
These steps should be actionable, meaning you can physically do them.
Now, start, and do the first 3 steps.
Take 10 more minutes and plan 3 more steps, then repeat.
Force yourself to finish the project in 2 weeks, no matter what.
Get it to 80% of perfect and share it with the world, your family, friends, AND ONLINE!
Starting is the hard part.
Once you start, your brain will organize everything and it will fall into place with short planning sessions.
Once you complete a project, you know how good it feels, and you’ll do another and another.
Don’t wait, Start now!
Dave
You are right Dave i want to do always perfect things but I ´m frustated because after taking photographies I found them not interesting. But sometimes one of them make me happy and I am proud. I often hesitate to take portraits and landscapes because I’m not self confident to do it perfectly. That die my creativity and my learning to be better.
Marie Pouilly
Photography is a game of numbers.
The more you shoot, travel and take photos, the more acceptable photos you will create.
I may like 1-3% of my photos. This always happens within that approximate range.
This simply means the more I shoot and travel, the more good photos I create.
It’s a numbers game. It has nothing to do with you.
This percentage will go up as you shoot more and improve.
Time and repetitions are the only way to improve. There is not a secret. This is it.
Dave
Hello Dave,
right on the spot!
but it does not apply to creativity only but every aspects of your life, professional, and private. Even your golf game for instance: if you spend more time in practice than on the courses …
You should value your quite unique experience in the business world. It will be very relevant indeed.
Keep sharing your wisdom,
Hey Frederic,
Agreed. It applies to everything in life!
Life, in my opinion, life is one big creative project. Even the boring aspects can be improved to the point where you don’t spend as much time on them anymore because you perfected the process or put automation in place.
Thanks so much for your ideas!
Dave
Great advice, but what about large projekts, it may take more than 10 min to plan such projekts, but I hear what you are saying, the trick is to keep it simple. More on this topic (how to keep it simple) would be appriciated / Mats (Sweden)
Thanks man!
Read & follow Getting Things Done, the book by David Allen.
This is what I use for all project planning & task management.
It’s going to take a while to implement. It’s worth it.
Dave
I don’t know how well this squares up with the Psychological literature, but my initial guess would be that one reason a lot of people love planning is because it gives one the feeling of control in what feels like a chaotic world. And then doing the work is full of uncertainty and doubt.
Hi Nick,
Me either, but your idea is really interesting and it seems logical. I like it.
The actual creation, or thrashing as Seth Godin termed it, can feel really out of control.
Thanks for the comment!
Dave
As someone who’s been challanged all of my life with A.D.D,, I absolutely know and understand the dopamine rush triggered by even thinking about something new to do. It has also been a bit of a blessing, in that I am ALWAYS entertaining creative thoughts; the hard part is picking the “right” ones and then actually DOING something with the ideas.
Thanks for the post. Now back to working on the latest art project. 🙂
I was diagnosed with ADD as a child. I find that ADD only applies to things I don’t really have an interest in. For things I am interested in, it goes in the exact opposite direction, towards obsession.
Maybe once you start, and force yourself to keep going, you’ll see the same thing?
Starting & finishing are hard. They have to be forced. The rest will fall into place.
Dave
Hi Dave,
Thank you for “Complexity Kills Creativity”! Although I am a very active retired guy, your article made me do some self-examination. And I immediately saw my procrastination with learning post processing. Several months ago I had purchased a 27″ monitor and Wacom Table and planned to seriously study and learn post processing. Only after setting up my desk I began to find other distractions that kept me from my goal. Examining my behavior has me believing that my need to be skilled immediately has kept me from beginning what I know will be a long journey. Your article helped me see what I’ve been doing…and that will change now!
Thank you,
James
Hi James,
That’s great. Glad you found it useful.
Let me know how it goes.
PS: I have a 18 hour in-depth photo editing course, if you’re interested in my complete methodology for photo editing.
Shoot me a line & I’ll give you the link for the product page.
dave@davemorrowphotography.com
Take care,
Dave
This is me – I will get out more and start trying to shoot some of the 5000 photo ideas I have planned in my phone notes.
Enjoy & thanks for reading,
Dave
I am not a full time creative and can never hope to be. Time is my biggest roadblock, just reading this blog is fit in as I sit to eat a few eggs and have a coffee for breakfast. No blocks of time for me but I continue to be inspired by your words and videos, so thank you Dave. If things were to change for me, it would be for unfortunate circumstances only and I wouldn’t want that to be a catalyst for more time to be available.
Thanks for reading, Diane.
You’re welcome & enjoy the day,
Dave
This article is bouncing off my brain rather than sinking in! maybe I need examples of how a perfect plan cut short is actual creative. I get the part about having a complicated plan wearing you out and how simple can be better. Using 3 flashes to stop a Humming birds wings is too much work and expense and talent when letting the wings blur actual looks better! ( hope that is a good example) . Perfection kills creativity ????????? I am not getting what you mean here! I need examples of what you are trying to say!
Hi Ed,
First off, thanks for reading!
I’m not really sure what to tell you, except wait for future articles, which will go more granular & the following:
Read the current article 4-5 times. It contains a bunch of examples included throughout:)
Give the comments a read and give the hyperlinks within the article a read.
The minimum viable product wiki link talks in-depth about the concept.
Good luck & let me know how it goes,
Dave
Hi Dave. I always say you have to be disciplined in creating. You can go on forever. Not to say that you can’t make changes but your 80% sounds about right. Regards, Barrie
Hey Barrie,
Good to hear from you.
Totally agree. Extremely disciplined. Just starting every day, is harder than creating, for me.
Once I start, it’s easy.
Thanks for leaving a comment!
Dave
Sound advice. This one of your best Dave.
Hi Robert,
Thanks so much. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to let me know!
Take care,
Dave
Awesome write up!
Thanks man!
Very interesting and a kick in the butt to me! Thank you. I do an inordinate amount of thinking up great projects, but not following through (fear of failure?). I am ready to get started. I enjoy your videos. You are very thoughtful in how you explain your techniques.
Thanks. I’ll have some more content out along these lines.
Dave
Fear of non-perfection has stopped me from doing a lot of projects I would have otherwise found rewarding. Turns out that planning is an obstacle in and of itself. Thank you for these simple steps! I am going to apply them starting now with the first 3 actions.
You have a no nonsense way of clearing the clutter that often surrounds creativity. Your videos have been helpful to me in being able to better read a histogram, for instance. I have watched most of the videos and will continue to look for new stuff. Its all subject appropriate for me at my level of photography.
Glad you enjoyed it Rocky. Let me know how it goes.
Dave
Dave, quick question. I click on the blog page and scroll down to see older posts, but I don’t see how to get to them.
Just click on the post title.
Dear Dave,
Fascinating…. As a life long planner, I realize from your insights that much of my planning effort has indeed been wasted. Thank you for putting this together, because it is helping me to see how I might simplify my planning, focus on the essentials, and get on with the job.
Keep up good work.
Hi Bill,
That’s great. I do a great deal of planning too. But the initial phase of my projects all contain “thrashing”, meaning, just putting out creative work, without a plan, in line with what I want the eventual final product to be.
This allows me to gain a bunch of ideas / knowledge about the final product, before making clear & concise plans. It also keeps me from making excuses to start.
There is a good mix of both that goes into getting things done:)
Take care,
Dave
Hello Dave, I have finally got around to reading your blog on procrastination (Re complexity) you are absolutely right on everything you have said (time slips by)
Hello Liam,
That’s great. Thanks for reading. I’m glad you found it to be pertinent info.
Talk soon,
Dave
Wow, talk about perfect timing! Spend too much getting ready to get ready, and nothing gets done. I spend so much time trying to create perfect and it paralyzes me from taking any action. Thank you for sharing this powerful message.
Hi Don,
Good to hear from you man!
Truthfully, that’s my natural intent. I have to force myself away from doing it.
Making new habits in this area is a huge help. It’s going to feel strange at first.
You’re welcome,
Dave
Some good points here Dave.
It hadn’t occurred to me that planning could be a big, old dopamine hit. I do get excited when planning a trip, I find that feeds my imagination,
As I’ve learnt over the last few years climbing the photography ladder, some of my best and rewarding shoots have come from serious research and preparation. Especially in my genre of climbing.
It just depends on whether you execute the plan.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks
I’m not against planning at all. I do it extensively.
What becomes a problem, is planning without execution or overplanning which keeps you from getting real-world data points and making the next plan from there.
There is an extremely fine balance.
At first, when you’re just starting out and are not sure what the long term vision is, it’s better to just make moves, with very minimal planning.
This is the best way to learn & improve quickly.
Once you become better and better at creating an idea in your mind, then executing it in real life, then it makes more sense to create larger projects, and long term vision, which in turn takes much more planning.
Short bursts of planning, followed by short bursts of creating & experimenting, going in a repetative cycle seem to work very well for creating & moving quickly in the direction of your goals. That’s the point I’m trying to get across.
Hope that helps,
Dave
Very good article Dave, you are one of my mentors. Your output so far is indeed consistent and have good quality. Applied to my behavior, your point is straight, it helps me very much. Hope I can also make the change in the right direction and start more executing the things I dream about !
Thank you, good stuff !
That’s great! Thanks for letting me know.
Don’t hope. Just go start & do things you want to create & improve on. It will happen. Guaranteed. But only if you start.
Wow… this is so true of me. I keep myself so busy watching tutorials and trying to learn new stuff, thinking that I need to know everything about what I want to achieve, that I don’t actually get around to doing much actual work on my images. I have a hard drive full of images that should have been edited ages ago … but I keep watching editing tutorials instead thinking that I need to know everything about editing before I get started.
Thanks for the great article!
You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!
Comments related to perfectionism are totally on the mark! Stop thinking and just go do something!
Start immediately. No matter what:) Glad you liked the article!
I love this article. It totally speaks to me since I’m on of those perfectionist who never endup delivering their work because this work is never perfectly to my expectations. Very inspiring message. Thank you for posting.
You’re welcome! Let me know how it goes:)
Dave
Thank you for this epoch shattering advice. This was a total Ah Ha moment in my life. This advice applies to absolutely everything you do – not just creativity and photography. Wow Just WOW.
You’re welcome, Sally. Glad you like it! Thanks for reading.
This article talks to me directly,
thanks Dave for sharing amazing stuff..
I like that 80% idea, it keeps you striving for quality while not agonizing over things not always going perfectly.
Excellent presentation skills. Dave is the best writer for me in my professional life. Carry on boss.