Imagining lots of tedious steps? Or one fun step?
2009-09-12
If we hate doing something, we imagine it as hard. We think of it as broken into many pain-in-the-ass steps.
If we love something, it seems easy. We imagine it as one fun step.
If you ask someone who hates running how to do it, they'll say, “Ugh... First you have to stretch. Then you put on running clothes. Then you get the right shoes. Then you have to tie your laces. Then you have to go outside. Then you get all sweaty. Then you have to cool down. Then you have to shower. Then you have to change. Then... I don't know, but it's a huge ordeal! Who has the time?”
If you ask someone who loves running how to do it, they'll say, “It's easy! You just put on your shoes and go!”
Once you realize this difference, it's funny to hear how people describe things.
Even if someone says they want to do something, if you hear them describing it in many tedious steps, they don't really want to do it. (Why would you? It sounds awful. You'll find reasons not to.)
People often ask me about starting my company. “It must have been so difficult! That's a huge undertaking! How did you manage all of that?”
But I just answer sincerely, “There was really nothing to it. I just made this little website, and people liked it. That's it.”
I barely even remember the details.
In my head it was just one fun step.
Now I have to pay attention to that, with each new project I start: How many steps am I imagining?
Nice! A Litmus test for life decisions!
Wow, you're really in my head these days but you say things so much better
There's only one important step: the next one!
"The sun come up
the sun go down
the hands on the clock
go round and round
and I just get up
it's time to lay back down
life gets teejus don't it"
Doc Watson
That was a good read ...thanks Derek.
i love your thoughtful, eloquent posts. thank you, derek!
whitney
as I read this from the backseat of the van, on tour, currently on our way to Pittsburgh for a show tonight, I think about all the "steps" I've taken to get here and it really is amazing how few of them I actually recall taking with any true sense of intention. rather it's as though they took themselves and I have merely been along for the ride. granted, there are certainly aspects of this job/career/life that require a little more effort than others but in the end, it's all a pleasure.
thanks for reminding me of just how grateful I truly am for what it is I get to do everyday.
great post.
hello ..sir Sivers...In this universe you came here for a mission ...to teach every one of us ..your first foot steps was
you loved your music and creating fun staff..God the creator was there with you in the long hours...
i think you are humble too ..
Absolutely Derek. I'm with you on this one!
If you enjoy it, the action flows naturally without much thought. So it seems easy.
Yep.
i bet you used to watch Kung Fu didn't you grasshopper?
Cool Derek!
You're absolutely right. People say that to me about opera singing all the time. "Boy that must be soooo difficult. All those foreign languages, etc.! I just tell them that everybody can sing "something" just "Nike" that turkey and the how will reveal itself to you!!!
I couldn't agree more.I used to put on music/art events in L.A. (still do once in a while) People would say wow this is so great how do you do it?
I would tell them its easy.
I booked the room and called some artists to play & display art.
What I was never sure of is if they really didn't know that, thats pretty much all it took or didn't want to make the effort.
That one and only step, if decided could change our life’s.
Often myself, if I have a big project, I just do it!!!
If I had to think, about everything that goes into it.
I would be wearing blue slippers with my custom made straight jacket
I totally agree. I am always imagining all the steps things take but when I start doing it I have fun. My goal is to just do things and not think negatively about it.
When you have a passion to do something,
it's as though you've established an instant connection to some force that makes all
resistance fall away. And you're left.... with success.
That's an interesting thought...so how is it that I lost that "one step" thing after many, many years playing?...all I see now is years of learning an instrument, then learning it's implications through PA, then learning how to book,...etc. How an I get that view back?...I still like the playing part.
I always have that post-New Age cynical impulse to yell, "That's too simplistic." But it's the simple revelations that, the epiphanies, that spur us on.
Rabbits in the pea patch! Catch 'em! Catch 'em!
That's a fun way to think of things. You don't get lost in the details and forget why you started something in the first place. But sometimes you have to face all the little detailed steps. I have so many projects going on at once it can be daunting. I do break things into small steps. But rather than be frozen by a huge "to do" list, I say "it doesn't matter what I do, as long as I'm doing something." Sometimes priorities will push things to the top if the list, but I don't get that "deer in the headlights" feeling about having so many things to get done.
That is so true. No matter if it is a work of art, a new song, or a whole CD, a short story or a complete novel, whatever I choose to create, they all seems like they took one simple step to finish because they were all labors of pure love.
As an engineer I understand that in reality, every creation consists of hundreds of small and often tedious steps to get from point A to point B.
As you said, if we started a creation and thought of journey ahead of us we might all just give up.
But when every step of the journey is fun and done from the heart, the steps all flow together in one joyous undertaking.
I always think of as many possible steps that I must take to complete a task. I always try to over estimate the number involved. In this way, by the time I start the task it is much easier than first imagined.
Good post Derek,
I like the post that was made by:
J. Milazzo
______________________________________________________________________
J. Milazzo (2009-09-12) #
When you have a passion to do something,
it's as though you've established an instant connection to some force that makes all
resistance fall away. And you're left.... with success.
___________________________________
___________________________________
It's true, Over the years of me performing and recording, I too have always had that instant connection to some force that makes all resistance fall away.
The applause from the audiences over the years had made me appreciate all those steps I had to take in order to learn the most inportant step "FOR FUN."
Keep cranking out your posts Derek, I'm sure most everyone else who reads your blogs "Posts" will agree with me when I say we appceiate your insights, they make us all think.
Peace
~Mark~
I hit the road years ago. I put on my hat, picked up my guitar and went out the door. Didn't even have a map. Sure was fun. If I'd have thought about it at all, I'd never have done it.
I started my first step in 1959,playing oat meal boxes to peter gunn , Its been a blast man.
In order to make a fantastic award winning Cherry pie you need to slowly follow every step. If you miss one step, then you just wasted your time. I don't waste time.....Everything I touch turns to gold. Thats my plan..
Your mind is like a parachute it must be open to work correctly. I think that sometimes we close ourselves to new adventures, new beginnings and new projects. We are always afraid that we are going to fail. So to make life easier we sit in the same place and get stale and our life never changes and we lose that awesome feeling of success and happiness. I'm constantly striving for a better existence and sometimes I win and sometimes I fail but both of those options always give me a sense of accomplishment. Never taking those small steps forward or backward is where fear lives for me.
HI Derek..I have always said that success is when you wake up in the morning and you simply look really forward to doing whatever it may be during the day.. there are no self-doubts, you get up and off you go..Carpa diem so to speak. When you are happy one asks very few questions but when life is a big struggle then we ask ourselves questions about what is going on with our lives..I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night to do what I love..work on my music and see what's going on in the music industry online. Once we find inside ourselves what mission we are on then the slogan of NIke "just do it" begins. LIfe is so very precious so why waste it doing something that is against your own flow..stop, take the time to self-examine, listen to that deep inner voice inside that says loud and clear "this makes me feel good and I want to keep growing in this direction." It doesn't matter what others think or tell you.. you should do this or you're crazy doing that etc..The answers like Derek said and told us are not found on the outside somewhere. We need to find the courage to say no or yes to our existential situations. It is not easy to make a dream come true. But there is nothing more exciting that taking the steps towards a dream or two. Life is about taking risks sometimes but when you don't like doing what you are doing that's a painful place to be. It takes once again courage to say to oneself, "this is not working out and I don't relate to this." The lucky ones are on a mission.. the mission my friends is the journey not the achievement. Achievements have an end but the journey keeps going. It is never too late to change directions and to say no to something that is not vibing with your inner song..I"ll leave you with a quote that is a fine fit for this topic..:He who kisses joy as it flies, lives in eternity's sunrise." written by William Blake.. Thank you Derek for waking these subjects within us. YOu help us realize more and more if we are awake or sleeping life away. I want to be one of those that is widely awake don't you? Peace to you all, Mark
That was the most timely post I've ever read!
I was sitting here about to undertake something new, feeling crushed by the weight of all the steps I had to take to get to the end goal when..... bing!
My blackberry goes off, and there you are again to save the day.
Thanks man
Derek, everyday your insights teach us all so much...I find myself thinking and approaching life differently as a result, thanks.
It's all worth it if u really really want to get out there and perform! It takes work anything takes work if u really want to do what u like doing!!! Music!!
I love it!!! I'm a Pastor's wife and love to do other music as well I love it!!! I made a music video too!! I will do it and do it and do it and do it again!!! It's fun!!
Any recommendations in order to avoid taking many tedious step?
We have to take the steps anyway. It's just how you think of it. The runner who loves running is still stretching, putting on shoes, taking a shower after, etc. It's just that he doesn't even think of it as worth mentioning. It's all just part of the fun. -- Derek
When I sing, I imagine connecting with my listeners.
When I focus on the moment,
I am real--so imagining what
might be the responses of
others to what is real for
me helps me to connect and
Co-create "reality."
I remember my first homework assignment in psychology from Dr. Wong, back in the day he said " Your first assignment is to do what you're doing", everyone including myself looked at him like he was crazy. He repeated the assignment smiling and the proceeded to explain the same concept you described above. I've seen the wisdom in that for decades. Oh, Derek, you shared with us not too long ago about when you started your biz and how you slept on the couch at the office for weeks at a time and the tedious programming you went through. That sounds a little more ambitious than just starting a website and people liking it. Undertakings like yours take Passion and Drive...
I found it interesting you would choose an image of a wonder-filled, very young boy just HAVING FUN!
I remember when I couldn't wait to get in the studio and compose, compose, compose.
I must admit, after 20+ years of doing this, many times it IS a drudgery. When the thought of writing and producing come to mind the steps soon follow STOPPING me from having fun (as I once did).
Being a one man show, I know that after my songs are written, I must then track, mix, and master time and time again.
I WANT THAT LITTLE BOY BACK AGAIN--
So I will be reading answers to this issue closely. Maybe I can beckon him home.
Those little steps are always there, just waiting around the corner to be noticed when the going gets rough. It's been fun for 18 months in Shanghai. I was waking up happy every day. Then I got back in August, ready to dive back in, jetlagged, hot and annoyed. There is just so much here to be annoyed with--pollution, being an outsider, crazy dangerous traffic, spitting, noise and smells, taking care of & developing my US business from overseas. So f---ing annoyed I think my language skills degenerated from English to "F"lish. I was starting to get worried about my mental health. And then I put myself out there again looking for a gig. At the same time one of the finest restaurants started looking for a violinist. Now I have a meeting coming up...I really think you have to put yourself in an environment where the universe is able to work with you, or you are able to connect with that harmonious energy that is actually all around. You have to risk and sometimes that best risk is that exhilirating leap down the stairs.
99% perspiration to 1% ...
Yeah. I agree with the above comment and the guy on the ATV was awesome too. This was an amazing article and a great week. Here we are having fun doing over-time, studying life on a Saturday...
I was going to write back, but first I had to boot up, then wait for the virus program to update. THEN, I had to sign in, and check all the mail. THEN.....
Nice take - thanks.
peace - f
Thaks for the idea. I have a lot of projects to manage in the next few months, I'll make shure to be attentive to that line of thought.
Do you think this can be used backwards to enjoy things you have to do? Try to get yourself to think of a project as only the steps you enjoy, and maybe not disliking it as much?
True, when you love to do something you don't think about it, it's effortless.
But if it's something that you have to do but you've been avoiding I don't think imagining it in one big step helps. It feels overwhelming, how to get to there from here.
Like doing my taxes, I always wait till the last minute and I stress and fret and end up doing it all in one crazy day at the last minute. This last year I changed my ways and broke it down into tiny steps. Every day I gave myself something really easy to do, something that I would definitely be able to accomplish. First all I had to do was go through every month of bank statements and highlight stuff I could deduct. When that was done I had a feeling of great accomplishment, it was silly but I felt so good! Then I used that good feeling to move me through to the next easy step and they all added up to the goal that had seemed so overwhelming.
Or with yoga. My big goal is that I'd like to do it every day for 90 minutes (like a proper class) but I usually put it off because that seems like such a big chunk of time. Then I feel bad that I haven't done any and feeling bad about it doesn't make me want to do it. Instead I started saying "just get on the mat for 5 minutes". I think, that's easy, all I have to do is 5 minutes. Invariably I'm there for 40. And 40 minutes a day is better than 90 minutes every once in a while.
There's a great book about writing that illustrates this, 'Bird by Bird' by Anne Lamott.
Thanks, Derek!
ONE STEP AT A TIME .. THAT'S HOW IT GETS DONE
Great post! A good way to view a lot of things in life. I like the photo at the end for that extra visual effect. Ditto that brittlestar.
Sometimes I forget to apply this, but you're right its a much better way to think about what you're doing. Thanks for reminding me.
When doing something that you like, there is no steps, you just do it.
ok i got my album on a C.D. but
dont have no money to do the desing
of the album or to get the copyies
what do i do.
Sounds straight from "THE SECRET!"
According to 'The Secret'; if what you are doing does not put you in a state of bliss; baby 'ya ain't on right path, period!'
Luv ya photo..beautiful.
I'm nearly 60 and the older i get, the more it seems that Life itself was just one big step...
Thought-provoking reading Derek! My first thought back in time was when I used to live in T.O. in the 80's and remembering taking those steps down the stairway and counting them down to the subway...thinking aaah...82 steps (the number of CD's I will sell in my first week of my very first CD Release
and then seeing the look on passersby's faces with countless expressions, some happy, some sad, some excited, some mad! I knew I could dredge up something from that and use it to my advantage as a songwriter for some interesting lyrics on my future CD's. As I am also an Actor and Singer-Songwriter, being a people-watcher gives me that advantage to write about my story of their lives and just to imagine that. If they hear one of my songs one day, they may even identify with it, and I know perhaps maybe I have touched someone's life in some way. At least I like to think so! Have a wonderful musical day!
Baran
I'm Running Out Of White Make up. I Must Leave Paris, France and Europe!!!!!!!
the trick is sometimes finding, or admitting, what you love.
AIN'T IT FUNNY HOW LIFEWORKZ!!! AZ SOON AZ YOU QUIT LOOKIN FOR IT...YOU'LL FIND IT!!!
Interesting...there's another way of looking at small steps - as a positive. Huge projects can be simply overwhelming ('where do I start?') and that can lead to paralysis. In those cases breaking a project down into tiny bite-sized chunks (as Simone above did with her taxes) can actually make it not only seem suddenly feasible, but also actually make it seem *fun*, because each time you tick off a tiny task you feel the same sense of accomplishment someone playing a video game gets for killing a zombie/wiping out a line in tetris etc..our reward systems are our friend here if we work with them.
There's a Chinese proverb about this: 'The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.'. It's also one of the core aspects of the Getting Things Done system (a project management system and book by David Allen which I'd heartily recommend to anyone feeling overwhelmed..).
This is a wonderful piece. Thank you Derek for your Art, your Life! This resonates on my own life. You see, I teach and mentor many of the most respected people in the music industry including Los Angeles Talk Radio's Sheena Metal, a Los Angeles entertainment icon. Along with keynote speakers Bobby Borg [also from Los Angeles] as well as Bronson Herrmuth from Nashville. And many more.
How did this happen?
At the age of five, I faced a tragic event. My father was killed in a potash
accident. By the age of thirteen I had been kicked, beaten, and robbed of my
self-esteem. I was bullied mercilessly thru elementary school. Only my
mother and my two older brothers had any faith in me. Nobody else saw much
hope for me. I had a learning disability that made it almost impossible to read and write. Although through these events I became very grateful. As it's made me a homo-sapient. And one with great sentiment. It's given me a vortex of emotions involving vulnerability, pain, anger, hope, love, and a lust for life. It's made me a prize-fighter! Still wide-eyed like an infant. Ever curious, ever seeking.
I find myself excited to share this because if I can do this anyone can.
Each one of us beholds a beautiful story to be told. Each one of us can have the life of our choice. We just need to choose.
A piece I hope you enjoy. Thank you for reading.
D.U.N.C.A.N.2.0.
By Miles Patrick Yohnke
© 2009 All Rights Reserved.
The people that know me well know that I love cycling and train most days
for four hours. My personal record time was finally achieved at 57 minutes in the 42.5km time trial on July 24th. For the past month in my training I've placed white tape on each of my four fingers, on both hands. Each piece of tape has a letter, spelling D.U.N.C.A.N.2.0. This is a tribute to my friend Duncan MacPherson. On Aug 9th, 2009 it will be twenty years since his passing on.
Duncan's parents' lived across the street from my grandparents. As kids
from time to time we would play. In our early twenties as young adults we
would start hanging out again. He too loved cycling and in his off-season from playing professional hockey would cycle as part of his conditioning. Both of us would often train together.
Duncan had a passion for excellence in everything he did, particularly in
his sport of choice. Hockey. He was drafted by the N.Y. Islanders in the first round in 1984. He loved a challenge. He loved trying something new. He gave his best to each day.
I learned so much from him during those summers. The commitment. The level of training one needed to do. He made me appreciate every new day in a way
I hadn't before. The bike frame that I use today is the same one I used
then. Sure, the one's now are one-third the weight and far superior. But
this frame has a history and in part I use it to remember his life.
Since his death some people have remarked how sad it was that he was just
twenty-three when he died. But the way I look at it Duncan was alot like the
"morning glory" flower. Morning glories, if you look closely at them, will
show you how extraordinary they are both in colour and texture. And that in their center, is a kind of golden light that shines from within. At the end of the day they turn a most beautiful shade of lavender and then close up, wither, and die. They live for only one day and then they are gone. You see, it doesn't matter how long your life is. It only matters that you were here in all your glory, and that you opened up completely and let your light
shine. And that you brought joy to those who came into contact with you. That's what matters to the morning glory, and that's what should really matter to all of us.
Aug 2nd, 1989 was the last day I saw my friend Duncan. His last words were:
"Miles, I don't know when I'll see you again." I remember his face and those words as if it were yesterday. So, I place the white tape and the letters to give thanks for all his glory. For his extraordinary life. To keep challenging myself and others as he did.
Dedicated to my friend: Duncan MacPherson
(February 3, 1966 – August 9, 1989).
For more on the life of Duncan MacPherson, click
here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_MacPherson
Widely recognized and award-nominated engineer, producer, writer, poet and
founder and C.E.O. of 5 Star Productions, Miles Patrick Yohnke brings many
years of experience to the music industry; including many awards in sales
and marketing. If you are looking at developing your career, Yohnke offers
consulting in person, by phone or via email. For more info, please contact
him directly at: 306.227.6379 or email at: miles@5-starproductions.com.
so true, when i have a project i dont really want to do but i want the result, i just use it as a meditation, i concentrate wholly on it and get rid of everything else on my mind, i find by focusing totally on it I get it done, without thinking of all the other steps that need to be done which would bum me out and make me say f it. sort of a zen; chop wood, carry water type approach, I use it on mundane, boring, and repetitive projects..it actually makes it rewarding in a strange way..its like i overcame my needy ego..whatever works I guess
A WISE MAN WAS GOING AROUND TO EACH PERSON OFFERING POTATO CHIPS. HE CAME TO ONE GIRL AND SHE SAID "NO THANK YOU" AND HE SAID "WELL, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT" SHE SAID "WHY NOT?" HE SAID "'CAUSE YOU DON'T WANT IT". YOU HAVE TO WANT SOMETHING WITH A PASSION TO MAKE IT FUN AND EASY.
JOANIE JAY
Oh, Derek, you know you're just a big altruistic natural genius. And as Clarence Day would say in LIFE WITH FATHER, " Let's not have any more nonsense about that!"
you know when you truely love to do something,,,,,there is no justification,,,,just zen,,k.sokol
Looks like you are going to be doing one step in each project Derek, with all your planning. But there are others out there that may need six to twenty steps to complete their tasks.
Everything one does in life can be broken down into 3 steps: preparation, execution, and mop up. Or preproduction, production,and postproduction for us recording types. If all you're interested in is the execution/production, life will be very tedious indeed.
just do it! oh oops, nike or somebody copyrighted that phrase, but it works none the less 8-)
I cannot WAIT to share this article with my students at Boston Arts Academy. This year's focus is "seriousness of purpose", which can sound a little painful when faced with something they don't want to do (like practice technical studies!). I'll bet re-framing this this way will help. Wish me luck!
It is true. The things I know I 'have to do' are often things I'd rather someone else do for me. The things I think are 'fun' never seem like a chore. I have to balance the two if all of what needs done is to be completed. I hold the 'fun' stuff out like a carrot in front of myself while finishing the chores. Music to housework - it applies universally...
I always say I don't like vacations.
Why would I want to vacate my life that I love so much? I'd rather keep living big steps!
NICE picture!!!! I'm addicted to your blog... THANK YOUUUU!!!!
A very interesting perspective. It goes along with the idea that you can either tell your life story with yourself as the hero or the victim.
So perfectly said Derek. Thank you...
Thanks, Derek. This is great to keep in mind.
I'd like to add something related, which is; if anyone is struggling with tasks that they have to do, that they don't want to do, such as at a 'day job', I recently discovered I needed to simply make peace with the process and the whole thing became more enjoyable, and I had completed them well faster than I expected.
But I'd much rather 'take the leap' into doing only what I love to do all the time.
-Steven
Call me Froggie!
(Just one big leap)
Well said! It's all about our attitude and perception. I know that when I have a great idea and act on it immediately without analyzing it, it's way more fun everything comes more easy and naturally; it all kinda falls into place. Everything flows when we are passionate about something because the focus is on the big picture not the details and steps it takes to get there.
Thank you Derek!
Thanks Derek for all your insightful thoughts. today's reminds me of what just happened to me: I was playing a solo piece tonight, at a venue where the sound people were too GOOD. So good, in fact, my guitar has never ever sounded as good to me in my life! Well I got to a difficult passage and thought to myself "don't worry, this is the easy part" - and according to my other band members it was the best I'd ever played that bit - until I got so lost enjoying the sound that I blew one of the notes.. oops! That was a wake up call. Still the show seemed like one fun step more than it ever has in the past.
Just like Chopra puts it... a little tiny, magickal pebble of intention, dropped into a still pool of water... the item of intention gently introduced into the pool of the silence of the Universe... that is all that is sometimes needed. ;-) The Universe knows the hows and the ways and the whys to get us there. All we sometimes have to *know* are the... desires. Thank you for posts like these. Very... serendipitous. Beltana
It goes with the flow. If I have a huge agenda, and a list of things to do before I get there, I may be awhile...But if I just go 'cause I want to, I wont even notice how I got there.
Thank you! Even though I am excited about my new projects, I was feeling overwhelmed, this reminder is a great antidote to that
Fear, especially fear of the unknown, is what keeps people from doing things. Being in the process, or "taking steps," isn't nearly as hard.
Ask anybody who has ever been in a plane crash, skydived, etc...
I sent you an email once about starting a little website and label and was asking about where to get web space and how much was needed or something like that and you said before getting into big web space and big investment to let the idea just happen ,if the the idea was good everything would happen or fall in place and take off on its own.Most of the time for me thats the way it is. Good bands, good ideas, good songs many times just take off on their own, you can't force it.
78. Well at least I'm getting closer. Kind of like the cover of the Rolling Stone, I want to be the first post in a thread. Just on step to it, me number one.
This missive is quite accurate and enjoyable. Though when doing some enormous things that you love which are daunting you run into your moments of "Wow, that's going to take quite an effort! I've got to do this then that then this and that then this for a long time." Often it is hard work but the big high comes when your back breaking work is done and you get to enjoy what you made. That makes you want to get right back to the this and that again!
I like Richy's quote above.....I think sometimes how we are feeling when we are about to take on a task or project are good indicators for us. When our minds sense drudgery and our bodies get heavy, or sick, this is usually a sign that we are barking up the wrong tree. Sometimes we spend years going round in circles because we are doing the things we think we "should" be doing. If someone tells us you "should" run to stay fit or take a job because that is what you "should" do, it can create a lot of pain and conflict for us. Although sometimes it is good to try things we are not comfortable at or good at to grow as people, we should also go with the flow and what seems easy for us and we love doing.....the things we would do for free- even if nobody was paying us to do them......now I have to go and write some music!
I think I mentioned this earlier, but I remember a comment Sally Struthers made reflecting on the success of the show "All In The Family." Sometimes people are lucky to have some "magical" things happen in their careers or lives...and that you don't find the magic the magic finds you. I remember seeing her on a TV segment pleading (with producers) to hire her (Post "All In The Family")...other than doing some commercials and a spot on one other show...I don't remember seeing her doing anything that even came close to the success of the "All In The Family" show...I guess that when a person finds amazing success, especially early in life, there might be a tendency to think it can easily be duplicated...not necessarily so...I've noticed this also during my career...sometimes things took off and were wonderfully successful (with a lot of hard work of course)...then other times I'd have another situation, put in the same hard work and not have the same success of the earlier situation...thinking that the earlier situation could be duplicated in the same manner....not necessarily so..."Go Figure" as they say...sometimes like it or not, other factors come into play that are not necessarily in our control...
I'll bet that when Neil Armstrong made his 'one small step'... he didn't think of all the years of sweat and tears getting him there, or all the things that could of, or might still go wrong. Rather, he thought...
'there, mission achieved!'
If you love what you're doing, it does make things so much easier. Wise words again Derek
Steps?
Hmmm...If I stand on a rock in the middle of a field and think of all the bad things that might possibly befall me if I take but one small step, I will freeze like a statue. But...if I believe the entire planet is one big rock...it doesn't change anything but at least there's a little room to walk around...
The journey of a thousand years begins with a SINGLE step.... chines prover.
If you wanna climb a mountain don't look at the peak. you very next step matters more than the ultimate goal.
And that single step to me is the hardest. but the other option open to me is not to do anything and end up as a poor miserable fool.
It's all about doing what you love. A labor of love involves a lot of work but it seems like fun!
Thanks for keeping me thinking, Derek!
I Love Cold Calling!
I approach the phone call as a fun performance, to share what I have to offer with people who want to be in my audience.
Remember that song? "Birth! School! Work! Death!" I guess he was sort of ambivalent about it.
;-)
Interesting thought. I've always heard that the secret to doing something that is hard is to break it into small steps. In my case, the small steps often make me procrastinate. I like this approach.
This brings to mind something that irritates me greatly, and I am sure some of my fellow artists may agree.
I have had some minor successes throughout my thirty year music career, and my favorite is when I claim one of these victories, such as a song in a movie or a review in a major publication, and someone will ask, "Wow, how did you do that?"
Which translated means, "You had to have gotten lucky somehow."
So I totally mess with their head, even pissing them off by replying, "Well, I did it by making a consious decision three decades ago to work very hard and make a lot of sacrifises so that I may realize my dreams and passion."
If stupid looks could kill I'd be long dead.
Well stated, Derek! You're waaaaaay above the curb!
Nice topic. Although I teach music and when a student looks at a piece as very challenging, I slice it into little chunks and give him the toughest part first then in order of challenge each part and in no time he is saying that was not bad after all.
I suppose that you can assume that analysis from this perspective. But I would also assume that over fifty percent of people out there are just natural complainers about everything. And it also seems that negative issues tend to impact our brains longer by remembering them than those of a positive nature. I think this could be linked to your article about drama too.
Loved this one!
There will never be a time when life is free of things to do, from laundry, to cooking to the business stuff. It's the way you move through it all that matters.
Love it & it's soo true!
Like someone else here said, some people are natural whiners and everything is a drama.
Me? I don't even remember writing songs sometimes. They are just there.
My partner is the one who tells me stories about how he remembers when I wrote this or that song.
When you are doing something you love I think it is natural for many of us to not quite remember getting there.
PS: That is a great photo
Remembering the steps and little details is something I like. I keep a scrap book of things that I have enjoyed to remember the little details. Planning and going through the details is fun.
A part of me agrees with this post and a part does not. Many little steps give order and keep me focused. It makes it easier to find reasons not to, however, it does not keep me from doing it nor does it mean I love it any less. I've described to people in great detail some things I have done; not because I am trying to discourage anyone, but to make them realise a lot of hard work goes into working on/for something you love. As fun as it may be, it is a lot of work.
Here is an example of what one person can do to change the world.
You (Derek) started posting your thoughts, people enjoyed your thoughts, you touched the hearts of others who shared similar thoughts, they come back every time you have a thought.
Simple.
How does that change the world? One thought, one heart, one mind being touched at one time makes this world a better place to be.
You make it seem so simple D.
Kellie Frazier dot com
These days, I am a street performer singing and playing guitar on street corners sometimes around midnight up north in England UK. I started at the age of eleven and am the wrong side of sixty so I've been getting about OK at it now.
People say 'How can I play guitar like you?'I tell 'em 'Practise 15 minutes a day and you will.'
I know they'll pick up the guitar and probably practise for an hour.
If I said pick up the guitar and do it for that long they'd never do it at all! It's often a mind game for many people and if you love it like I do, you can't let life pass you by. I still write songs and was in the studio last week because my life is my music.
Regards to the great Joe Pug from Chicago who was kind to me at a recent Steve Earle performance. Joe was his excellent backup artist over here in Derby UK. Keep smiling, Dennis Derby
Keep it fun and the journey will always be like the first step....
Bill
I think some people ask how some task is done to find out your secret or some exclusive tip that they can use to avoid the work,(the tedious steps) to get to the end product.
Great observation! And it is so true! Thank you!
Max
I would say that personality would have to come into play a bit as well. Some people are just more analyzers. Some are those who 'just do it'. We also have to realize that the details must be kept up with (for legal/tax reasons)...so I guess my question now is: Were you ever audited? (If so...you know that SOME ONE had to be keeping up with the details...ha-ha.)
In life, all the steps we image should be that of fun. And in some cases, however, it's a must to image some steps before getting yours that you find fun doing.
A real success at whatever, is a product of imaging many steps, even at times, the steps in one's mind that should be fun, becomes unlike.
The question becomes:How does one find fun imaging other steps?
PASSION PASSION PASSION. Whatever steps we are imaging, to find fun in it, must be backed by passion. No doubt if you're passionate about it, you will find fun doing it.
Each life step is fun. As I recover from surgery on both feet, I really hold true to this assertion. And, I'm able to generalize it into all aspects of my life. Life is fun!
Everybody has some fun things they
really enjoy. My #1 fun thing was teaching MUSIC lessons. I know that doesn't soung like fun to most of you; however it was wonderul for me. I had no children and it gave me a chance to know and love so many beautiful children. It was like a party each day... and we did have parties where all the kids played
for each other... (in my music room). There were many duets and
trios. Most of the pupils played
organ and piano. We had fun all the time. I even let the kids throw paper wads provided they help me clean up. It was like a
snow storm. I always made chocolat chip cookies (their favorites).. I made so many there were always cookies left. I learned as much from them as they learned from me and and we had a wonderful time. I see those pupils now after all these years and they still love me just as much.. .. and never fail to hug me.
HOW DID I GET SO LUCKY?
Today I played alto sax for a food bank. It was an older crowd, so I chose slower music. To keep the volume down and tone dark, I used a rubber mouthpiece. Those changes made it so much easier to play, I just loved it! I came home to a rainbow just 20 feet away from me. Tomorrow I will use the wide metal mouthpiece and rehearse with faster music. It will be harder. I will get better. I'll embrace the hard steps.
I haven't gotten a rainbow on the hard steps...yet.
Work is a lot of little steps...JOY is one big leap after another!!!
All human progress is based upon an intrinsic concept of placing one foot in front of the other.
Rock is a lifestyle dude !!
Derek, I better try and remember that. When I first started my business I was overwhelmed with whether I had made the right choice. I was frighten that I was going to be too successful. I continue the progress, but I could have avoided the stresss if I had had fun. Now, this is a must I need to remember that its more fun loving what I do. (singing) With ups and down I could be an accountant wishing I was a full time singing.
ONE BIG FUN STEP!
Easy, hmmm, that is a word that does not fit a bastard child, a dialysis patient, an artist with a life of hard knocks, some would say choices , I say live it and, be refine!!! I love every aspect of what I do with the music I make and what I try to do with it!!! It all makes me happy!!! But none of it has been created without blood, seat, and tears.... Never has anything been easy or without sacrifice of self at some point, the only easy is loving something without condition..... Art is struggle, creativity is the burning of self energy, brain or heart matter...., so what is all this said for? Simply that what is easy to one many may be a terrible struggle for the next, and knowledge is the power. Learning is key! So helping someone is better than boasting a triumph of self accomplishment.... Reinvest in others ... End of philosophy, except that love covers a multitude of sin!!!!!!!!! Be Charitable!
As I enjoy being in the recording studio the first 5 or 6 hours will pass in a blink of an eye and none of the steps in the process ever feel tedious.
I have made four, soon five, concept CD's. The first one I just jumped in and made. But about the third one I found the process was boggin gme down and I felt like it was interfering with my final product, because I wasn't quite sure where I was all the time.
So I itemized the steps so I could keep track of each step on wach song. I now have a spread sheet where I keep track of each song, step by step: lyrics, melody, rough arrangements, instrument assignments, vocals, overlays, mixes etc. etc. It has made the process so fantastically easy for me. However, when I descrobe the process to people who don't do it they are always blown away by how complicated it sounds.
So maybe breaking things down into steps is good once you want to repeat a process, but an inhibitor when you want to start. ????
bro. i FEEL you on that..
its all about how you tackle things, or your mindstate so to speak. think possitivly and possitive things will follow. we wont tolerate nuthin short of that!
i got tons of respect for you fam. keep grindin out!
I'm attracted to people who are ambitious, focused, and postive. They fuel my fire. Maybe this is the reason I enjoy your site so much.
Cheers,
Kelly
You know, after 50 years of being a working musician and still going strong, I sometimes look back at what I have accomplished in that time. I am lucky enough to say that with each and every project that I have taken on, was a labor of pure love. Without an acoustic guitar by my side, I stand naked, alone and/or insane!! Thanks for the cool letters.
Derek highlights a very important point. I've noticed for years in Japan while in the company of people studying Japanese and/or English. Some seem to really enjoy learning a new language, never really speak about the difficulty and progress rather quickly. Others are always talking about how hard it is to learn the language and how much time it takes. Consequently, they never seem to make much headway.
http://neilstalnaker007-brainchow.blogspot.com
I disagree, Derek! So rare! But I often find myself overwhelmed and immobile if everything is in "one step". I find things so much easier and more tolerable and exciting when I know I can handle each little step along the way-- instead of saying 'Oh god i have to redesign my website' I think, "let me put up a couple links... let me change a picture, let me add my schedule..." and before you know it, I'm deep into the project and enjoying it.
I really believe what you are saying is all about our "human design"...What we are really designed to be doing in life. If you know absolutely what your human design is, your energy will flow and you will beam that light and the joy of doing what you love. If your worried about "the steps", find yourself first. Interesting...
Another great article, Derek. Thanks, as always!
It varies. It also depends where you are mentally, physically and emotionally. Sometimes the joy is there and other times it is not, but I do not believe that there is a formula. We are complex beings, after all. There are overcast days and there are sunny ones. And sometimes you come out of the gate raring to go, and other times you are slow and unwilling, but warm up later. Does that mean you are doing the wrong thing? Hardly.
It's all in how we perceive something. If we enjoy giving back to others, then whatever we do will be fun. It will make our day and boost our confidence!
Thanks,
Robert
It's funny, if something is difficult yet you enjoy doing it, it's really not that hard. But when you look back, you can't believe how hard it was actually to do
I took my first step in san Juan, puerto Rico, around 1965, when I first heard the Beatles, on a record that a classmate (Candice) had brought to school. I immediately went home and took apart some of my father´s wooden suit-hangers and made a pair of drumsticks. I would then play Ringo's rhythms on the living room sofa, every afternoon, while grooving to the tunes!
Since then, I've performed and recorded all over the world and I'm still having tons of fun!!!
But, besides the focus needed to hone one's craft, I've learned (through Buddhism, meditation and martial arts)that when one is rested and healthy, obstacles don't seem as large as when one is tired or sick. When one feels fatigued, everything seems difficult, doesn't it?
Derek,
Thank you for all that you do.
You would have to be tediously anal or self-conscious if, when planning or starting a trip (to Disneyland, for example), you considered every single step, movement, adjustment, turn, intersection, and bump in the road. No fun at all!
Yep... I like to enroll people to do the stuff that I don't love to do, and let people who love it do it.
I like to do what I love, and the process is a lot easier that way
There are still steps to accomplish..Steps are a lot easier when I have the commitment of loving the ideas..I like thinking about the overall goal and what fun it is
You can never let an opportunity pass to plug your songs.
When we
owned the super market we had the
#1 act on the most popular country radio station in Birmingham, Al. to put on a show at our store ... He was
COUNTRY BOY EDDIE.. so it had to be
a country song . I got in touch my
writing partner and we wrote a dandy country song. County Boy
loved it and recorded it and sang it for years ... Why not ? It was great. Listners always requested .....
"EVEN PEOPLE ON THE GRAVY TRAIN GET LUMPS"
I understand ! I hated math college so I just made sure I did "all" math requierments first. Then I could do what I wanted
Aleee
Some people hate to practice their instrument skills and give up. with me if someone wants me to interupt my music sessions it's like I am upset about it
At the same time obvious and not so obvious, I love it!
Your are so real, so good!
another great way to look at things!!
thanks, derek!!
Yup! I was playing my guitar so enjoyably at work that they had to come and remind me that my break was over now...I get so much joyfulness from music!! and when I start to see results it's just this happy place I carry with me through all the other stuff called life...!!
Rachel
nice post and great comments, sivers.org is becoming a really important site, here I am every post
Hi Derek,
such a good word, you hit he nail on head.
Reff:
http://biblebrowser.com/proverbs/25-11.htm
and that imagining really wears us down especially if it's something we hate and have to do.
When you do something you love it's enjoyable and effortless. There are no steps, you turn around and it's done and you don't even remember how you did it. The feeling of happiness that comes with doing something you love is rewarding and satisfying. You look forward to it and it's alway a positive experience. There are no obstacles because you're focused on your ultimate goal and it's ohhh sooo satisfying!
Trickily interesting Derek, you are going to make me pay attention on something I never did.
Thanks,
Let's Rock!
I agree with your overall point. I currently work in retail and pretty much hated going to work everyday because I wasn’t doing what I loved or even near. However, I’d remind myself of a lot of what I was learning in preparation for the real world: team work, acting professional and knowing how to handle difficult situations…which is almost every time I work.
I attended a conference (for my own education in the music industry) last month and learned from one of the panelists that it was ok to have a day job. Even if we weren’t doing what we loved or it had nothing to do with what we love; it was ok.
I was recently promoted to a lead (similar to a manager) position for the holiday season and believe it or not, I don’t mind. I actually like it and want to do a great job at it. I will still be involved in music though. I’m starting to help a local artist with all I know to help her get a label and get her career off the ground. I’m not an expert but I’m learning.
I believe that sometimes we need to stop and see objects, ideas, etc., in a whole new perspective in order to see the “big idea” or how we’re going to get there.
Realy good subject to talk about. Reminds me of what the Bible says.. who begins something without first counting the cost?
Good point. When I first "became" a singer, I didn't have any plan at all. I just got up and sat in at a jam session. After that the steps took care of themselves. All I had to do was not stop. But there does come a point where continuing and fulfilling resulting commitments of those initial steps requires more of a plan. Maybe do a post on keeping going? Or am I missing something.
I'm imagining myself making a living at music someday...Almost two years ago I decided to try making that a reality. After much protest, and much resistance (I'm not a manager! I can't book tours!" ect..), Out of sheer necessity (and with encouragement) I finally relented. After three months, that spring I booked my first tour in Europe. A second and third small tours followed that next spring and summer. Some money was made, more than I'd ever made before for sure, and the word CAN'T was replaced by COULD. I still have to keep reminding myself of that lately..old habits are hard to break huh?
Helpful and refreshing to learn about the creation of the company.
Honestly,
This is a load of crap. No matter how great the idea or how psyched you are about it, there are always "tedious" steps to accomplish a dream. Derek you are full of shit if you're telling people that if you don't love every step of the pursuit of your dream then it isn't right. Take some responsibility for what you're putting out there. Read Howard Schultz's book on building Starbucks jackass. It's not all angels and butterflies.
Hey Derek,
Simple, yet poignant thought. I find that even with things I LOVE to do, when I do start thinking too much about the details, the little steps, I'm usually on the wrong path, mentally, spiritually, emotionally--just not on--so to speak. A song heads the wrong way while writing, a recording session gets bogged down, or a live performance is no fun, uninspired...
When I let go and do what I was born to do, let it flow, it's back to fun and ease and in the end, all of the above turn out as they should--reaching their highest potential, whatever that is.
I may not respond every time, but I love your posts...
Thanks,
Peace, Michael
People always say this to me about touring..... like it's the most difficult thing in the world -- all the driving, being away from your family, sleeping in strange places... and I just think- I get to see all of my far-off friends at least once a year, I get to play music all the time, I'm doing something I actually care about, and I get to see the country.
The long drives and bad food and floor sleeping and being away from home all take a backseat when you love something so much.
thanks for your blogs !