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Unsticking
If a work gets stuck, and you need to unstick it, the best way to do it is almost always to make it smaller and simpler. What’s keeping it from launching now, this instant? What’s essential that you need to add? (vs. What is just a smart way of saying, “I’m scared”? What can you…
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Democratized gatekeeping (redux)
When I wrote about democratized gatekeeping, I meant to include this link to Ryan Leslie describing his early videos on YouTube. He says: “Traditional channels of distribution, they seemed as though they had quite a few barriers. As much as I felt like I was talented enough that I could have my own MTV special,…
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Put your name on it
It’s easy to hide behind a business name, a perception of mystique, or an obscure pseudonym. There are great advantages to this. One disadvantage is, if you don’t talk about yourself, you don’t end up actually putting yourself out there. You can’t bet on yourself, because you didn’t even make your bet yet. (Paraphrasing something…
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#The100DayProject 2023
Last year, as part of #The100DayProject, I started writing every day here at my blog for 100 days. That habit has extended to today. It’s been one of the best things I’ve ever tried, and I’d highly encourage you to do the same. This year’s #The100DayProject starts February 22, 2023!
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Practice vs. perfection
If you’re wondering if you should’ve signed that email off differently, or worried that you didn’t convey a certain detail the ideal way, or if this is your only shot at something, you’re missing the bigger picture. When the stakes feel too high, something is off. Perfection shouldn’t be the expectation for a positive outcome. …
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8 lessons on creativity I learned from Virgil Abloh
Here are 8 lessons, and accompanying quotes, from Virgil Abloh to offer a different perspective in how you approach your creative work: 1. Don’t wait to get chosen; start where you are, and do it yourself When Virgil and Kanye interned at Fendi in 2009, the fashion world wasn’t ready to give them a real…
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My new website!
A lot of my best stories, experiences, and material were locked away in client pitch decks, email threads, and job applications. In the spirit of, “Publish, don’t send,” I put it all together at a new website. Check it out! More on the process and behind the scenes to come.
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Democratized gatekeeping
“When I started, I couldn’t beg a fashion writer to write about my project. But with Instagram, I took an open-source tool and made it my magazine. I once said to Kevin [Systrom, Instagram co-founder], ‘You made it possible for me to have a fashion brand without using the traditional system.’” Virgil Abloh’s words, via…
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Misunderstanding
It’s almost always worth giving someone else the benefit of the doubt. The experience of rejection, whether it’s as simple as a request to reschedule, or a long overdue response, can be a deceptive moment. Then there’s the bigger stuff: declined invitations or applications, missed weddings, missed connections in travelling. There’s no hint here; just…
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Practice improvising
The need for consistency, preparation, and routine is the foundation of a solid creative practice. It’s also equally important to be able to improvise and adapt to work in whatever environment you’re in. That way, you can work whenever inspiration strikes. Your need for routine won’t become an excuse for you not working. Earlier in…