ira glass: “it’s normal to take a while”
Posted on December 15th, 2011
If Ira says it, I believe it: it simply takes a lot of work to make good stuff.
If this topic comforts and gives you hope and fires you up because, “hey, it’s only hard work and anyone can do that”, then you might also like to know how long it took Bruce Springsteen to write Born to Run and Leonard Cohan to write Hallelujah.
Comforting for you today? Makes the process of “digging for your special thing” more enticing and doable?
Brilliant, thank you for sharing this Sarah; it resonates and provides encouragement:)
And what a lovely, frank and original way lra has of espressing himself! I don’t think I’ve come across his work before and now want to look more up!
The thing that otherwise keeps me digging is the thought I’m creating my own path. The freedom and responsibility drives me!
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Could not be more timely- thanks a bunch, Sarah x
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All the hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end…
I so needed to see this (and wish I had seen it years ago).
Thank you so much.
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And PS – I just stole this and posted it on my blog.
I am technically challenged and CANNOT make the linky thing work, but I have credited you with this.
I do hope this is ok?
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oh thank you for this, i feel relieved and inspired……sometimes I do the Gen Y thing of expecting things to fall on to my lap……..when what I really need to do is pull my finger out and get to it!!! xx
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Tops to the max
“do or do not, there is no try” Yoda.
I listened to a podcast on the Harvard Business Review IdeasCast just yesterday with a similar(ish) flavour.
The lady they were interviewing was Heidi Grant Halvorson (psychologist and author of Nine Things Successful People Do Differently) who reinforces the idea that the characteristics of a successful person are like a muscle. Grit, intelligence, creativity etc. can be improved if we treat them like a muscle. So I guess this fits with Ira’s experience and is confirmed in the study.
I usually steer away from motivational type stuff, my opinion is that if you have the motivation to read a motivational book then you are motivated, I just saved you $20.
Here is a link to the podcast, it’s a little bit American Cheese
http://blogs.hbr.org/ideacast/2011/11/what-successful-people-do-diff.html
Pow!
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[...] ira glass: “it’s normal to take a while” | Sarah Wilson. [...]
Love it!
I really needed to hear this today. Thank you! I’m new to blogging and am so eager to see it succeed and pour my heart, soul & skills into it. I look at all the hugely-followed blogs and wonder if I’ll ever grow mine to be like them. This has reminded me that being creative is about ‘doing’ – just keep doing it and then it will ‘be’. Cultivate it. Yes!
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Holy crap Sarah,
What a quote to beam a light cast into the new year. Wow, I could not have needed anything better right now. Thank you.
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Wonderful quote.
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I love Ira. Truly. (Can’t WAIT to see his show in January!)
So thank you so much for sharing this quote Sarah.
It’s made my day.
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Crickey – don’t know how good my taste is, despite my supposed creative activity! lol
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It took me 20 years or so to find my creative niche in the pragmatic zone of the design industry, after spending so many years putting in without getting much back. I eventually burnt out and stepped away, temporarily in 2004, but re-entered the fray in 2005 and eventually the people I knew who really knew me, offered me work and now I am as happy as can be!
I also had an epiphany in 2005 which lead to write a list of things I like doing (so simple!) This lead to me working part-time as a Professional Organiser, which is a much more hands-on creative outlet than interior design.
Now I combine both.
It was a hard road and I had no mentor to guide me, but I now have the confidence in myself to know what I’m good at and what works for me and my personality. It’s been a life-changer. It’s worth the perseverence. You’ll get there if you are true to your self…
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I LOVE Ira…. Have had a crush on him for years…. And now back in Australia still download and listen to him every week….. And his words…. Magic xxx
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IT’S CALLED BECOMING STREET SMART; it doesn’t matter how many degrees & diplomas you’ve got if you don’t become street smart you won’t succeed beyond a certain point.
Listen & learn from your environment even if you THINK you know it all because your environment is always changing around you.
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I love this Sarah, such truth, your work will be as good as your ambitions, it just takes time and constant effort.
I have been a book designer for 10 years and it is comforting to know that it is the natural process that creative types do take, the ebb and flow of self confidence and self doubt, gently poking us forward.
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Sarah, I just wanted to say how much I look forward to bringing the paper back to bed with me on a Sunday morning to read your column in the age, and how much I will miss it.
This morning’s colmn typically resonated with my experience – I stayed up late last night designing ‘personlised date’ gift certificates for my close family members, and spent last Sunday making zucchini chutney, christmas cakes, brooches and adjusted op-shop clothes to give to friends.
Thank you and look forward to reading your ideas just in a different format in the future.
Meg
PS – Jan 16 is D day for me – I will start the 8week sugar quitting program then and feeling very excited about it!
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