#70 I Love Tuesdays
Common Discourse is a project designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional work—from Alex Tan & Alice Otieno.
Every Tuesday we share words from a journal, a few ideas, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing. On Fridays we invite a guest to share images from their camera roll and a sound that resonates with them.
A few ideas, a quote that hit hard, and some links worth sharing to friends on another fine Tuesday.
Thanks for participating in Chat on the Substack app this week. I was blown away by how many of you are tapping in from all over the world. Also I expected it to just be me and Alice talking to the void but over 50 people chimed in which is cool. When we asked everyone to introduce themselves, many of you said kind things about this project.
I felt like the dog in the photo above.
See you Friday.
— Alex
A few ideas
I. CRUNCH TIME
We often find ourselves more productive when working against a deadline—with less time to contemplate, overthink, or decide, we’re left with no other choice but to do.
But getting things done isn’t about crunch time or waiting until the last second. There are times where you have to proceed with less caution because some things can only be learned by taking action.
When we trust ourselves and others from the beginning, we find productivity early and mitigate the pressure of hitting a game winning shot at the buzzer.
II. “THIS IS GONNA BE BIG”
But since when did that become our decision to make?
To put the pressure on ourselves for how it will be received is both out of our control and affects out ability to focus on making something great.
The things people expect to be big are always a let down and the things that hit the stratosphere started in a small, quiet room.
Big is up to them, not us. But when we take on the responsibility of claiming that “This will be the next big thing” we’re almost guaranteeing it will be small.
III. BRAVERY
A lot of us express the need to spend more time refining our craft before we’re ready, when really it could be as simple as mustering up the bravery to take the next step.
Maybe the craft is good enough. And maybe we're just not brave enough, yet.
A quote from somebody else
“To refuse to participate in the shaping of our future is to give it up. Do not be misled into passivity either by false security (they don’t mean me) or by despair (there’s nothing we can do). Each of us must find our work and do it.”
— Audre Lorde
Links worth sharing
🎺 Hands of Jazz is an archival thread by Annika Hansteen-Izora, that looks into the different expressions, gestures and movements from various jazz musicians.
🎯 A Few Rules For Predicting The Future by Octavia E. Butler is an excerpt from an essay published in Essence Magazine, May 2000. The piece notes a handful of perspectives that we can use to create a better future and world.
🏙 Sonic Cities is an immersive site that documents the sonic frequencies of cities around the world, before and during covid.
Thanks for consuming!
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