You only get today once.
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Notes
You are in charge of making a change in the world:
- Trust the process; repeat the practice (“often enough to get unstuck”)
- Focus on the few, not everyone
- Bring intention to your work
“You may not be on the well-trodden path, but wherever you’re headed, it’s important.”
Thoughts
This notion of change-makers—artists shipping work that could make a difference in the world—being in charge has two facets in this chapter: the notion that “we need someone to lead us,” which gives us permission to take charge (to ship work with the intention of effecting change); and the notion that we are in charge of our own process or practice.
I suppose I struggle a bit with the notion that “wherever you’re headed, it’s important”—that puts a lot of faith in people (and in me), and I’m not the optimist that Seth is. On the other hand, a person who has spend the energy and attention required to make a meaningful practice, intentionally shipping work for “the few, not everyone” may, in fact, be almost guaranteed to be on the right path.
But, again, I’m double-standarding (should be a word!) myself. When did I lose the sense that music, especially my own music, matters?
This series is meant to capture my thoughts as I work through Seth Godin’s The Practice. It’s a book with over 200 (very short) chapters, which I hope to work through and, I further hope, to implement over time.
If you’re interested in more of Godin’s ideas, or my thoughts about them, you can check out this collection of posts. Note that if you’re more interested in the former, you should probably get Godin’s book and read it yourself; my notes will be both incomplete and idiosyncratic, and my thoughts will relate to my own experience.
But if my thoughts resonate with you, or if you think I’m just silly, I welcome your comments.