“Blogging is for you, not for them.”

Take out the word blogging, and substitute any creative endeavor. I’m an art photographer, and where perfectionism catches me is somewhere between looking at the images on my computer and getting them onto paper. My perfectionism says, “it is not quite right, no one will buy it, etc…”

If I remember that photography is for me, the images I like turn out to be the ones that other people like, too. It has happened before; it will happen again.

Thank you for the reminder, Havi.

So yes, write as if I were writing to a friend in an e-mail. The ideas will flow, there will be more room for understanding, and less shrillness. Or at least, that’s the hope!

thanks…

Carolines last blog post..When a company loses its customer’s values to win a legal point

First time poster on your site. Thanks for the series. I’m just now stumbling across it after learning about your site last week. Luvvvv your voice shining through your writing. My admiration for your writing was exactly for the reasons you’re addressing in the series–though I didn’t know about the series at the time.

One trick that I play with myself (in addition to the email or letter written to a good friend!) is to start by hand-writing. Something about pen on paper is more freeing for my ole noggin’ than fingers on keyboard. All I can figure is that the freedom and fluidity to draw lines, play in different heights and weights, pictures etc. unleashes the flow–well, a lot of the time anyways =)

Thanks for all of your support and encouragement!!

Shawn

Thanks for the lovely tips.
Sending you all peace and non-perfectionism in the new year,
Roia

Roias last blog post..

Thank you. I very much enjoyed this post. Having very recently started a blog, it reinforced a few things for me. First that it was for me – to find my voice, practice being myself – out loud (and in tiny doses!) I love that you said that. I have wondered if I should try to be more focused on my (non-existent) readers but that didn’t seem right for me at this point.

I also am following a similar technique to your friend – writing in a private livejournal.com blog first. Then posting the entries I feel most comfortable with on my public blogspot. Learning. Slowly.

“Pretend you’re writing an email.” I like that. I think it will help. Thanks!

That you think of your blog as your morning writing ritual and journal (with some private entries we don’t see) makes it and you seem all the more real a person, Havi.

P.S.
If I have learned this how to do this properly, here are a couple of my friends who want to say hi to Selma and you. (And if it doesn’t show I have more learning to do!)
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/31542584@N04/3013677406/?eOrig=3012836209]

EVAs last blog post..The Pleasure of Finding Things Out

I appreciated the email tip. This is how I start most of my posts. While waiting for the train to take me into the office I think about what I want to write. I also use Jott to record ideas when they occur throughout the day. Then I write the post as an email on the train. A bit of polish in the office as I finish my Starbucks and out it goes.

Perfectionism is kept in check, as you suggest, by understanding why I blog. For me blogging is an opportunity to record and share the things I’ve learned that have helped me be successful and happy working in what can be a tough business, advertising. I hope others find it interesting and worthwhile but that’s not my main motivation.

Looking forward to the next installment.

James

James Hipkins last blog post..Warning – Art Direction Run Amok

but i’m with sarah here, was going to say exactly what she did. cause my new fear is that i’m not good enough to be starting up this business of mine and no one will come to me and OMG bla bla bla – you get the idea…

But really, can we please, please do a post about “OMG I’M NOT AN EXPERT NO ONE WILL LISTEN TO ME!” ? Because I need some of that, if I decide to go do what I want to go do, except I’m not a an expert so maybe I can’t do it?

I massacred that sentence. Apologies. :)

Sarah Lacys last blog post..Lost: Identity. Found: Scared 12 year old.