In a podcast interview with Kristian Andersen (to be released on Monday) he said something that caught me off-guard and caused me to think about my day-to-day work. The gist of his comment was that we need to decide what what we want to be known for, and then get working on it. In other words, we need to make sure that our daily activities line up with where we want to be headed.
I’m going to build on his comment: The question I’ve been asking myself (since the interview) is,
“Would I want to be known for the work I’m doing today?”
If today was going to determine for all time how people would perceive my work, would I be satisfied with my efforts?
This doesn’t mean that I have to hit home runs everyday. I think it’s more a matter of how I engage the work rather than what I do. I want to make sure that I’m pouring myself into my work and not doing the bare minimum required to “get by”.
So, I pose the same question to you: would you want to be known (forever) for the work you’re doing today?
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So true. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so putting in good work every day really does count for something. I totally believe in that theory!
Concepts like “labour of love” should apply.
Sincerely, its hard to give 100% everyday all day.. and at the speed of the current era, we tend to get caught up in our ‘actions’ and not the intention. yet if you can switch your actions into that kind of loving intention, where doing the laundry, buying coffee, or making some power point presentation, receives all of your attention, you should be able to look back at any stage and see that accomplishment comes from that engagement of action, and the quality of work shines through.
fantastic question to ask, Todd
Agree, Bryan, in the sense that how we choose to engage in critical. It’s good to know that we didn’t hold back in any way, and that we’re not just “playing the game”.
My, what a great question to think about. Makes me consider if I’m just painting to paint, or really doing MY thing.
Thanks Todd for the question to wrestle with. (Already printed up 2 copies to post in my studio and house to spur some thought!)
Maybe we’ll design some copies to download/print out and tack up on the wall… :)
I believe the “how” matters more than the “what” in our work. I believe the “why” matters the most. I don’t want to do it for myself. I want my work and life to transcend itself. So, I must do it for a greater meaning and higher purpose. I want to make people’s lives better, whether they know it was me or not. That is the beauty of art. It is to inform life and heighten our growth.
I love this question. It’s also interesting to think about what motivates people to do great work. Is it the goals that are achieved from the work? The response from the work? Money gained from the work? Personal or professional fulfillment?
Truthfully, I wouldn’t want to be remembered for everything I’m doing today. While clients and colleagues are happy, I need to step up my game to make myself happy and refocus my direction.
Thank you Todd for posing the question and giving us something to think about.
As a university design lecturer, I’m very proud of the work I do, and I probably will continue to be known for it, but I guess this points to the idea of are we doing meaningful work or just keeping someone else’s machine running? When I worked out that’s what I was doing at my previous job as a creative director, I left.
I’m also working on a book for my students, and I guess anyone else who wants to read it, which gives me great joy even just thinking about it, so yeah. All goes well at the moment.
I only wish I knew what I wanted to be remembered for, then I’d know what I was chasing.
It got my gears turning! I think we all have an unleashed true potential within ourselvs that we allow to lay dormant until life gives us a reason to unleash it. Why should we sit around and wait for life? If your not satisfied with your work, go do something spontaneous! Come back and watch how creative you’ll be. Light the inner-spark that is needed to unleash your potential and you’ll be able to easily ansswer the question that we are all commenting on. Good luck peers!