I always want to create something incredible, something that blows people away – in the most beautiful sense possible. Like a creative blast that illuminates a stellar night.
More often than not, I fail miserably.
Back in the days, I would have kicked myself in the nuts for that failure, but not anymore.
Because nowadays, I check on my favorite mavericks, and I remember what made them successful in the first place.
You know what it is, but you’re not doing it.
Why some people produce awesome stuff
How come some people write that kick-ass blog post, while other drown in their own oblivion ?
Talent ? Maybe. But I think it’s something else, something every single human spirit can do, nooo, MUST do.
Tim Burton, one of my super-dupa favorite directors, is famous for many awe-some movies. If you look at his biography, you’ll be amazed by how many projects he couldn’t get off the ground.
For every cool movie he created, he worked on three that never saw the green light.
Valuable lesson.
Everytime someone arrives with a kick-ass idea, one that blows you a-w-a-y, it’s not because he’s been touched by the spirit of genius. No, this poor person worked day and sweat, and probably came up with THOUSANDS of bad and worthless ideas. You didn’t see them – they’re forever hidden in the depths of oblivion. You only see that one idea that reaches the surface.
So how do YOU come up with great stuff ? Will your next work be mind-blowing ?
Probably not.
But your 20th 30th or 40th try will be.
Make it a conscious effort to create something imperfect everyday:
Set your intention (create something remarkable )
And immediately start working. Don’t worry – it won’t be remarkable. Just make the work as best as you can. Learn from it.
Finish, and start the next work, while keeping your intention (create something remarkable)
Learn from your mistakes, rinse and repeat.
Ship ship ship, and adjust your attitude with every new work, while keeping your focus on creating amazing stuff.
I promise you – sooner or later, you will find your gem, and you will expand your consciouss a whole lever further in the process. Your creativity reached a new level, and the next amazing work will be easier to do.
Happy failing !
And what do you think ?
Mars Dorian is a child of the internet and in mad love with creative branding. If you want to create a kick-ass brand, make your blog stand out and simply rock the online galaxy with your essence, go check out his website marsdorian.com and grab his RSS feed today !
Mars, I think you’ll like this quote as it sums up neatly your excellent message:
“It is better to shoot for the stars and miss than aim at the gutter and hit it.” Tom Peters
Your work reminds me so much of his stuff. Have you ever read it?
.-= Matthew Needham´s last blog ..Guest post: 5 Secrets to Changing Any Habit =-.
Oh that is a good one, Matthew! I go with something like ‘Aim for the moon and you’ll end up with the stars’.
.-= Moon Hussain´s last blog ..Fun Friday Round-Up: OMG I’m Less Than 3 Weeks From My Move! =-.
Hey Matthew,
I have seen just a couple of videos (through Seth Godin) of him – I like his passion – a lot.
But I have never read any of his books – which one would you recommend ?
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
Hi Mars,
Great post, Mars. Reminds me of something that I said to my climbing friends earlier this year. I said: “This year is going to be all about failing when at the climbing wall (as its safe to do so there) because only by failing do I know that I am trying harder and harder to get better”. Slightly different story when we go out and climb for real.
By the way, I would check out Tom Peter’s book ‘In Search of Excellence’. Long but worth it.
What do you think, Matthew.
Adrian
.-= Adrian Swinscoe´s last blog ..Is Social Media and the Internet Making Bennis’ Predictions Come True? =-.
Hey Adrian,
nice story with the climbing – happy failing.
And I’m going to check that book out – I luv Tom Peter’s videos, now it’s time to read his books !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
Human spirit, that touched me. I believe we need heart to create beautiful things, whether art, blogs, friendships, love, or music in my case now. Finding your soul is what makes you come out and do something big and wonderful. Excellent Post Mars, I was moved.
Hey,
awesome that this post touched you. I do my best to spread the message. Pour your heart in anything you do and let the magic unfold.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
While doing the very good tips above, we should also remember to keep track of all the projects we did, successful or not.
Who knows, maybe out of the failed projects, we may find a treasure, an idea we could improve and perfect in the future.
.-= Julius´s last blog ..Google Fixed the Accessibility Problem =-.
Of course Julius -
don’t forget about your projects – keep them. They are a great reference point – and with time passing by, your consciousness has changed and you’ll look back and find something you haven’t seen before.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
I cannot recommend Colvin’s “Talent is Overrated.”
Basically, he makes the claim – and presents evidence – that the difference between “great” and “exceptional” is stinking hard work. Practice. The “no fun” kind of hard work. I believe it and it’s changing how I do business.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..The Queen of GPO Speaks – violetminded Spills It =-.
I meant to say:
‘I cannot recommend Colvin’s “Talent is Overrated” enough!’
It’s excellent.
Hey Dave,
while I agree that putting the hours in will give your great results in the long run, the approach of stinking “no fun” kind of work is terrible for me. Sure, some work is uncomfortable – and it needs to be done. But as a overall philosophy ? I’d rather have work that’s effortless and fun, at least 80% of the time !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
I am on maybe my forth or fifth idea trying to get it off the ground, but I live by this quote when I think of new ideas:
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying. ”
-Michael Jordan
Hey Mike,
I like that quote from Jordan – he must be the most insane working machine on the planet.
Great inspiration, really great.
thanx
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
Starting out in everything is really hard but as you progress through with sequence of failures and sequence of successes you learn a whole lot and gain a lot of experience which you can then use in future things to make more easier, perfect, and successful for you.
Great article, Mars
.
.-= Shirley Osei-Mensah´s last blog ..Is Search Engine Optimization Important For Blogs? – Discussion =-.
thanx Shirley,
well said !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
Yay! I just read this, also, from Michael Jordan the other day:
I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed. How about the old adage, Practice makes Perfect?
Hey Sheila,
Perfect is terrible – no fun to be found there. But Michael Jordan’s right – he keeps doing and doing his work, and adjusts along the way.
In fact, you can substitute failing with learning.
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
I’ve heard similar stories about other famous people. Just because a celebrity (or anyone, really) has had a project take off seemingly out of nowhere doesn’t mean it really did come out of nowhere. Success takes a lot of effort. Thanks!
.-= Steve Scott Site´s last blog ..Steve’s Sunday Selections – May 23rd, 2010 =-.
Great stuff (ah – gen!) Mars. I think a more fitting quote would be “aim for the stars and you just might find Mars” hee hee, (permission to steal this line for your blog granted)
Great post that reflects many a quote, as mentioned in the thread here. It reflects the statement I have on my wall at home that says “99% of success is failure”
Keep on keeping on Mars!
.-= Alex´s last blog ..Want more Traffic? Join the 12 Blog program. =-.
You know what, Alex ?
I am going to steal that line !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
Creating imperfect things is something that I, um, excell at. But wise advise, I’ll endeavour to be more pro-active in doing so.
.-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last undefined ..Response cached until Tue 25 @ 9:37 GMT (Refreshes in 58 Minutes) =-.
That’s the spirit, Mo !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Are you Otaku worthy ? =-.
A great post Mars, using Tim Burton as an example was a good choice!
However there is a glaring error in the post title.
Surely you would want to create rEmarkable stuff? Although anyone searching for rAmarkable will find this blog post quickly in Google.
Darren
.-= Darren Singleton´s last blog ..ProBlogger the Book – 2nd edition =-.
Hey,
Really great post.
You’re absolutely right too. Everyone forgets how often successful people fail. I liked your quote about Tim Burton, “you’ll be amazed by how many projects he couldn’t get off the ground.”
I tend to believe that if you’ve never failed you’ve never succeeded.
Peace,
Darren L Carter
.-= Darren L Carter´s last blog ..Why You Should Jump Off A Cliff… =-.