“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Smart advice from our German friend.

In a world awash in data, tutorials, classes, seminars, conferences, and other chances to learn about things instead of actually doing them, there is something to be said . . . → Read More: Forward Progress]]>

Climb Up The Rock from NeilsPhotography

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Smart advice from our German friend.

In a world awash in data, tutorials, classes, seminars, conferences, and other chances to learn about things instead of actually doing them, there is something to be said for lacing up your boots and starting up the hill.

While Tarantino and Rodriguez are great role models for creating content their own way and staying true to their unique voices, I LOVE the beginning of the video where Sam Raimi talks about DOING something related to making . . . → Read More: Advice on the Creative Process from Sam Raimi, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Guillermo del Toro]]> How do you become a filmmaker, writer, artist, etc.? Grab a camera, notebook, paint brush, etc. and get started.

While Tarantino and Rodriguez are great role models for creating content their own way and staying true to their unique voices, I LOVE the beginning of the video where Sam Raimi talks about DOING something related to making a movie every damn day and, if you stick with it, you’re going to end up with a movie in no time. May not be a good movie. That’s okay.  Take what you’ve learned from what you’ve just made and do it again.

To Robert Rodriguez’s point about more competition: If you want to make a movie that grosses $200 million, he’s right. The competition is still overwhelming.

But, making movies (or comics or whatever) that are seen by a few thousand people and working toward eventually making small living doing it is completely possible with computers and the web for distribution and marketing.

You just have get off the couch, get started and be willing to suck for a while as you figure out which ever medium appeals to you.

Martha Graham by Yousuf Karsh, 1948

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be . . . → Read More: Martha Graham and Crash Davis Remind Us to Just Get the Work Done]]>

Bull Durham Movie Poster

Martha Graham by Yousuf Karsh, 1948

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.

No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

–Martha Graham

“Don’t think Meat. Just throw.”

–Crash Davis from the movie Bull Durham

I could say Gandhi, Einstein or Nelson Mandela are moral heroes (and they are). But they are easy choices. Here’s one you may not have heard of: J.P. Hayes.

Hayes is a golfer who won a chance . . . → Read More: TEDTalk – Barry Schwartz Reminds Us To Have Moral Heroes]]> Barry Schwartz is awesome. He urges all of us to “celebrate moral exemplars.” Who is a moral hero that inspires you?

I could say Gandhi, Einstein or Nelson Mandela are moral heroes (and they are). But they are easy choices. Here’s one you may not have heard of: J.P. Hayes.

Hayes is a golfer who won a chance to join the PGA Tour in November 2008 and then disqualified himself because he realized he had played two shots on one hole with a ball that was not approved for competition.

He broke the rules and turned himself in because it was the right thing to do.

If you think he overreacted because no one would have cared and he should have kept his mouth shut, have a look at the damage on your last retirement account statement and ask yourself where we all would be as a country (heck, as a world) if the jokers in our financial system had that kind of inner clarity and integrity.

Human communication is made up of three components: nonverbal, tone of voice and word choice.  Email strips out the first two pieces, leaving your word choice . . . → Read More: How to Write Better Emails]]> Contrary to the advice from the Schoolhouse Rock! gang (see below), just get rid of as many pronouns as you can and you will immediately improve the effectiveness of your emails.

Human communication is made up of three components: nonverbal, tone of voice and word choice.  Email strips out the first two pieces, leaving your word choice sitting there all by itself.  Pronouns do make things easier, but they depend on nonverbal communication and tone of voice to make sure you know which person I’m referring to when I say “her” or “him.”

According to a New York Times article, the average information worker receives 50 emails and 77 instant messages during each work day.  If you’re misunderstood by only 5% of your recipients, that’s over six times each day you may have to get on the phone, send three more emails or do other work to get back on track.

Dump those pronouns.