The Hard Work of Creativity
It’s said that once, upon being asked to address a boys preparatory school on the nature of leadership, Winston Churchill offered a brief but valuable speech. “Boys, never give up. Never. Never. Never.”
I thought of that when I watched this video illustrating part of an interview with Ira Glass, host of Public Radio International’s This American Life. I’ve been a huge fan of Ira’s for years. His quirky, humorous, generous, and tremendously insightful take on not just issues but life itself has been the heart and soul of This American Life, perhaps my favorite podcast for long drives.
In this part of the interview, Glass makes an observation that is as important as it is easy to overlook: our vision often far exceeds our ability. What to make of that? That it will take time – sometimes years – for your abilities to catch up with your dreams. The only solution? Work. Work, work, work, until after an incredible amount of practice you approach the place where you can execute your vision.
Also interesting was Ira’s belief that our very discontent – the fact that we know what we’re working on isn’t very good yet – is a key ingredient to our eventual success. If we didn’t realize our work was mediocre, we wouldn’t strive to do better.
The video below is just a two minutes long. I hope you take time to watch it and let it encourage you to keep practicing whatever it is you love – music, being a parent, writing, art, leadership, graphic design, whatever – until you begin to approach your dream.
Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.
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Thanks for passing along these words. I liked listening to This American Life when I lived in the US. As one who has been a hobby potter for twenty years, it’s heartening to know that I have taste:) For potters, we’re told that you need to throw about a ton of clay before you get the hang of it. As the venerable and kind potter/teacher Simon Leach tells us at the end of every demo video “Keep practicing”.
Perfect. Today I am feeling like a beginner and starting to feel like giving up. Said a prayer and got this video on email. Ha — who says prayers are not answered.
This is wise advise. I will take his deadline suggestion seriously. Thanks for the video.
David,
As I saw this post and video, I wondered if you saw the recent issue of Christian Century and the poem there — Answers about essentially the patient growth process of the tulip versus other flowers. One of the great lines int he poem is this: To bless us is to bid us to wait.
Speaks to the power of patience as we work towards the beautiful blooming of whatever vision we are waiting for to burst forth. Blessings on your blog and your time of transition.
PS – we met last fall at the Antiochian Village in Ligonier PA when you attended Biship Convocation and were our keynote presenter. Your presentation continues to stir my creative and preaching ideas about moving the church into the future. Please keep your voice in the mix. Welcome to PA