“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 only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
-Martha Graham
Martha Graham said it well. I’ve never had a time in my life where I’ve been fully satisfied with my work or where I am in life. More and more, I live experimentally. I’ve learned that there is so much I don’t know and so little I can see when I stand still that I need to keep moving, keep challenging myself. Nothing is taken for granted, nothing is sacred, and nothing is safe from being questioned.
Today I begin a new experiment: for the next 4 weeks, minimum, I’ll be writing everyday about the experiments and experiences I make in my life. This is the Simple Ideas letter that you’re subscribed to. (If you’re not subscribed and would like to be, look at the bottom of the page!)
Using experiments over the past months, I’ve learned a few good things. Here’s a partial list:
- shampoo and conditioner are unnecessary
- a 3-day fast is a good way to gain perspective
- I’m more a productive writer when I wake early and write before breakfast
- 10-15 seconds of passionate kissing each day is a great way to maintain closeness in a relationship (Mary agrees!)
- I’m happier with my work and readers respond best when I write from my experiences
- if I’m procrastinating, it’s most often because I only have a vague idea of what I should be working on, not something concrete
- it’s not that hard to create something that people will pay for (a critical part of being in business…)
- living car-free is easier than I originally guessed
- Ann Arbor is a much better city for living car-free than Lansing
Just by trying something different, I’ve deepened my relationship with my wife, I procrastinate less, we have lower expenses, the readership of my work is growing faster than ever, and my hair looks great. ;-)
Not all of these experiments were my idea, but I took action and reaped the rewards. That’s what it’s all about.
Since I encourage taking action, let me suggest that you take a few minutes and think of a things, even very simple things, that you can test. Test assumptions, new ideas, old ideas, push boundaries a little. Think about your work, your personal life, your goals and dreams. Think small, especially at first. Once you’ve done this, share the list – either by replying in comments or by email.
I’m doing the same right now, and tomorrow I’ll show you a list of some upcoming experiments and challenges I’ll be taking on in the coming weeks.
