Comments on: on “having no life”…

By: paul

paul — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:12:32 +0000

a friend of mine describes a creative breakthrough, that flash of an idea, as the forming of a salt crystal in water.
First you have to pour salt into water, stir, and keep pouring. Only when you have saturated water with salt will crystals form.
You will be amazed by the amount of salt required to saturate a glass of water.

By: Marcy

Marcy — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:13:58 +0000

This is a very logical viewpoint, but I think that many "creative" people in their 20s aren't mature enough yet to realize the importance of what you're pointing out--how do we convince them? I teach at a small university where the students are focused on getting out from the first day they arrive on campus. The education isn't so important to them, but the piece of paper is. Occasionally, I have a student in whom I see great potential, who has that "spark" but does not know _how_ to commit to it. He or she might listen to me, but then dismisses what I've said. I realize you're talking about people who are already driven to some degree, but is there a way to convince someone who's sick of studying and working that it IS worth working 80 hours a week if you're doing what you truly love? Or maybe not even working 80 hours, but taking a salary that's less than they want or expect in order to pursue that passion? Is is even possible to _convince_, perhaps if you're not born with the drive, you'll never develop it??

By: Tim Walker

Tim Walker — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:23:55 +0000

Fine thoughts, Hugh. Are you familiar with the work of Anders Ericsson on “deliberate practice”? He’s a psych professor at Florida State — has done extensive work on how people develop expertise, and he & other researchers found that your 10-year guideline is so pervasive that they call it, formally, “The 10-Year Rule.” NOBODY becomes a real expert without putting in 10 years of hard work.

By: Sampad Swain

Sampad Swain — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:24:37 +0000

My pick from this post would be this line:
“When you get into the “creative” zone, the lines between “work time” and “off time” start getting blurry”…
So hell to all those who don’t know or sheer dumb to understand or merely a jackass.
So my pick-up line is “I don’t give a damn”…
Still yet another well thought and crafted work from Hugh..
Cheers!!

By: eli

eli — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:15:50 +0000

Well, I have no life so I guess I’m halfway there, haha, but yeah, you have to work smarter not just harder, but staying home and actually doing your ‘work’, the personally meaningful work, is the only way to go.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:42:52 +0000

Hugh,
Your #4 in this post ties into #7 in the 9 Jan post. It’s all a long game, from the moment you recognize there is something beyond the crib until you stare into the void at the end. It’s important to remember that the ‘passion’ is in you, it is your creation.
I spent 20 years in a career where a 72 hour week was the week, and I gladly, and passionately, did that. I am no longer able to do that ‘passion’ so I’m onto a new mission. And I’m as passionate about this one as any of them.
It just comes down to doing “it”, keep on doing “it”. To rephrase a cliche; Success never quits and quitters never succeed.
Thanks Hugh, this thread got me thinking about my game more strongly and pumped me for the next push.
ROCK ON

By: Alice Bachini-Smith

Alice Bachini-Smith — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:00:36 +0000

Obviously there’s a difference between having no life and “having no life”. Immersion in work is great when the time is right for that. Do you have to put in a decade or more of 80 hour weeks at one career to be successful? Not necessarily, depending on what you do, what you mean by “successful”, etc.
I think a big key is learning– in and out of work, in ways that overlap, ways that are just about life the universe & everything important, ways that are about people and love. Stuff feeds into other stuff. Sometimes the best way to be creative in a boring cubicle job is treading water while focussing outside the job on other/ related learning, other times it’s by increasing the size of the job. Stuff comes together later.

By: SpaceElevator Guy (Michael Laine)

SpaceElevator Guy (Michael Laine) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:48:05 +0000

“A sense of purpose only comes your way usually because you’ve been working your ass off over a long period of time, intensely cultivating it. And yeah, sometimes that will appear to more mainstream people as “Having no life”. To hell with them. They don’t know or care about you. Successful people get to where they are by doing the stuff that unsuccessful people aren’t willing to do. Harsh but true.”
Imagine what it takes, to be the guy that is actually working — every day — to build an elevator to space.… these 6 sentences sum up the past 6 years of my life. There is not greater purpose in my life than building this thing. Most people i know, don’t “get it”.
Harsh, but true. I have learned to live with it. it is a price I am willing to pay. But, some days, it’s not easy.
Take care. mjl

By: Alec McNayr

Alec McNayr — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:33:38 +0000

Great series of posts, Hugh. Thanks for your continued exploration in the work of creativity.
When I was fresh out of college and working late nights and long hours with the hope of a toward a better, more creative life, my roommate and I used to say to each other,
“If you don’t work 16 hours a day, you’ll be stuck in a job working 8.”

By: Marshall

Marshall — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 23:43:55 +0000

Speaking to your Point #3: I also work a job which was born from a passion. What I passionately did for a hobby (cycling) became a job; a career as a bicycle designer. For a number of years it was no problem. The long, long hours were no issue because I ‘loved’ what I did. But soon (as you say) the lines between work and play became blurred. So blurred that there many periods of time where I didn’t know when I wasn’t working. Every ‘recreational’ ride became another opportunity to work…or was I playing…couldn’t tell.
So all that to say that when your passion becomes your job it’s not always the best longterm.
Great post. Thanks.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:52:17 +0000

The dilemma, as always, is finding a creative passion. How do you tell?
The thing that I would’ve told you I loved to do, in college, I now do for a living — and it still wears me down.
Is it a matter of time and trials? In terms of sex and cash, I’m all cash — where does one figure out, to them, what their “sex” is?
(Not trying to make excuses here for mediocrity. Hell, my constant search for a meaningful activity has even lead to a book contract. But even that feels more like cash than sex, usually).

By: Hiroki Niizato

Hiroki Niizato — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:56:09 +0000

This post says what I felt so well doing what I love while appearing to have “no life,” — who cares what others think; I feel passion and purpose when I’m doing my work, and that is intensely more satisfying than watching TV etc.
Thank you for being the voice of creative, purposeful life!
Hiroki

By: Hrishi Mittal

Hrishi Mittal — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:50:53 +0000

My passion is scientific research and it is the most creative aspect of my life. I came across this brilliant speech by Richard Hamming which highlights hardwork and passion as essentials for good science. Do read it when you find the time - http://paulgraham.com/hamming.html

By: hugh macleod

hugh macleod — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:42:36 +0000

An excellent point, Anthony. But a hard one to learn, during the first few years out of college. Around that age [perhaps hopefully] you’re too busy being squeezed by your boss till the pips squeak

By: Dr.Mani

Dr.Mani — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:41:12 +0000

To hell with them.
Right.
Sums up what I took many more words to voice.
“Influence of a Vision”
http://moneypowerwisdom.com/influence-of-a-vision/
All success
Dr.Mani