I was in a conversation with a young creative the other day. In the midst of our conversation there was much discussion about work dissatisfaction, frustration with his inability to find creative expression, and relational tension. He expressed a desire to launch a new venture or do something to change his current situation.
My advice was a simple question: are you running from something, or running to something?
There is a significant difference between the two. When you spend your life running from dissatisfaction, it will follow you everywhere. It reminds me of one of my favorite Benjamin Franklin quotes:
The discontented man finds no easy chair.
Running from discomfort is not a life strategy. It is not a career plan. It’s not even a good way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We need to make certain that we’re making our choices based upon what we’re moving toward rather than what we’re moving away from.
The same applies to our creative process. Defining creative direction by declaring what we’re not isn’t a strategy. This doesn’t motivate people on the team to do their best work. There must be a clear definition of what we are, where we are headed, and some rails that help us stay aligned and moving in the right direction.
In whatever work you’re doing right now, or whatever you’re charged with, do you know where you’re going, or are you driving by looking in the rear view mirror? You need to make sure you’re running toward, not running away from.
(Photo by Vincepal)
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brilliant! thanks for posting.
Flattering the author, however, is a perfectly acceptable strategy. (I kid, I kid.) Thanks John!
E-Myth (book) has an interesting perspective on this as well. The “technician” who has an “entrepreneurial seizure” is a good analogy for “running from something.”
Love, love Michael Gerber’s E-Myth books. Many people start businesses because they want to do the technical aspects of the work, not because they want to run a business. This can be disastrous because they end up with something they didn’t bargain for. Thanks for the reference, Lucas!
Great point and well said. My question is; How do we objectively define which is happening? Do we assume that wanting a change is based on pain avoidance simply because there is pain present in our current situation? (I know, those are two questions)
Good question. My thoughts: wanting a change because of pain isn’t wrong, but setting a strategy reactively can be dangerous. We need to make sure we know where we’re moving and why before reflexively changing our circumstances. If we can’t answer why we’re doing something, it’s probably a good signal that we need to re-think our strategy.
First of all, absolutely great and (for me) prophetic post! A lot to pray over regarding my current work situation.
Second, don’t know if either of you meant to lead into these thoughts, but I can’t help but think of the differences between “reacting” and “responding”. Subtle, but powerful.
I am also reminded in your last line of a healthy sense of repentance and transformation, you know? A holy rethinking which will surely cause a transformation; inherent therein, movement and, possibly, strategy.
Anyways, bravo for posting a timely little ditty :]
Love your stuff. Can’t wait for the book.
Thanks, Jathan. Truth be told, I can’t wait for it either… ;)
Reading this post, I can’t help but think of the amazing life lessons I learned as a hopelessly nerdy high-schooler watching Star Trek TNG. As the Borg say, “Resistance is futile.”
Excited about the book!
I would, however, run away from a Borg and consider it a fairly good strategy, Mike.
A good pair of Nike’s also helps. :)
I really like this post. This mind-shift is really powerful when it comes to creating and especially creating for someone else. Creating something from nothing is a scary experience. I’m always asking my partner, “are you unhappy with that photograph because it isn’t good or because you aren’t as good as you aspire to be?”
Thanks Jenn – glad it resonated. I think the question you ask is the right one.