In Over Your Head

Some 2010 Stuff

I was writing some goal type emails to Chris earlier.

We’ve been sharing what we have in mind for the New Year, and I realized that I had no idea, so I wrote this out kind of on impulse. Maybe it’ll help you out.

BE MORE ARTISTIC – Before my life on the internet, I went to art school for a year to learn metal sculpture, then promptly dropped out. This was ten years ago. I took some bullshit computer job, which I guess I don’t regret since it led me to where I am now.

But I’m upset that I dropped out of art school, and I am upset that I never kept that part of my life going. I knew it’s what I wanted to do, but I totally quit based on expectations of short-term gains. Funny, isn’t it?

BE MORE DARING – I am so conservative sometimes. There are some kinds of risk I really don’t mind, but others that I totally avoid without even thinking about it. It’s like I’ve been programmed by fear… in fact, that’s exactly what it is.

So being more daring is about really considering the decision, rather than just deciding based on fear. I really need to get on that.

BE MORE ECLECTIC – Almost everything I do is based on commerce. That’s so sad. So much of the work I do is based on its value in the marketplace. I need to do stuff that’s totally useless, that I want to do just for me, and that doesn’t necessary benefit me except in how it makes me feel.

Along with that I need to expose myself to all these varying interests I have, like learning to juggle, just for the hell of it. There are a million things that I find fascinating but have never explored, but I have no idea why. So I should.

BE MORE COMPLETE – I just moved into my new place. The previous owner, a friend of mine, loved making food. So I have everything I need in this place to cook, except I can’t. It’s sad. I’m also just now learning how to drive. I don’t know how a car works, either, and I’d probably die in the woods if I were stuck there.

These are basic skills that I need to pick up that can make me a far more decent human being. There’s this tendency for us to specialize these days, so most people don’t ever learn how stuff really works. I want to know, though.

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Joe Gannon

Comments

7 responses to “Some 2010 Stuff”

  1. Christopher S. Penn Avatar
    Christopher S. Penn

    If there’s one resource I’d recommend for cooking, go pick up Alton Brown’s I’m Just Here For the Food. Best cooking book there is for the non-cook.

    Reply
  2. John McLachlan Avatar
    John McLachlan

    Chris Brogan suggested choosing three words for the year. One of mine was “Creativity.” It’s so easy to stop applying that to all that we do.

    As for trying things “for the hell of it,” I’m all in favour. I don’t do nearly enough of that.

    As for specializing, I’ve never really specialized and I’m starting to think it was the best thing I did (not being specialized). It’s meant for an interesting and varied career (singer/songwriter, arts manager, graphic designer – even bookkeeper for short time). My brother on the hand, specialized and I shouldn’t say this, but I may be the happier of the two of us.

    Reply
  3. Dave Doolin Avatar
    Dave Doolin

    A quote for you:
    A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

    -Robert A. Heinlein

    Reply
  4. Alan Rae Avatar
    Alan Rae

    Yay – I’m with Heinlein on this one!

    Mind you I blush to admit that I turned down the chance to do a free electronic music course on the grounds that my time was better spent learning to play the instruments I’ve already got

    Reply
  5. Melissa Dutmers Avatar
    Melissa Dutmers

    Julien,
    You constantly remind me to be open to the possibilities. Your sense of wonder is welcoming. Thanks, and I too shall be more daring in 2010!
    Keep writing – I enjoy your perspective.
    Melissa

    Reply
  6. Jan Richards Avatar
    Jan Richards

    If it’s creativity you want, and photography is a natural outlet for you, take a look at Project 365 on Flickr.

    It’s one photo a day for a year.

    I tried it a few years ago (and came in at the end 9 photos short of 365, somehow…but almost hit it daily). I loved it, but needed a break, and then missed it. I just started it again for fun, and for the daily creativity nudge and accountability it somehow provides.

    Here are a few links, if it helps:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcgr1/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcgr1/sets/72157600181664995/

    Good luck, whatever your creativity choice. You’ll find the right one.

    Reply
  7. Joseph Engel Avatar
    Joseph Engel

    Your 2010 sounds a lot like my 2009! I lost my job in may and I think now it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I was able to realize how complacent I had become, and not pushing myself to learn things just for the hell of it.

    Reply

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