Thread by @robgrav3s

Let’s talk about “ideas.”

People often equate “creativity” with “ideas.” So someone who is deemed “creative” is someone who has a lot of interesting ideas.

That’s fine if you’re talking about a preschooler.

But “ideas” are a very small part of the professional’s definition of what it means to be “creative.”

Here’s the truth: Ideas are the cheapest form of creative currency.

Everyone has ideas.
Many people have good ideas.
A few people even have great ideas.

But the best idea in the world is worthless if 1) it isn’t executed well, and 2) it’s unfinished.

Professionals know this; amateurs don’t.

Amateurs focus on ideas; pros focus on process.

Amateurs hit obstacles and quit; pros expect obstacles and know how to overcome them.

Amateurs eventually feel their “great idea” is bad and abandon it; professionals know this is a battle that must be fought and won every day.

Amateurs work when they feel inspired; pros know that inspiration is bullshit and work regardless.

Amateurs worry about the eventual success of their work; pros focus on doing the work.

Amateurs think in lofty terms of art; professionals work in absolute terms of craft.

Amateurs dream; professionals finish.

Hard truth: A mediocre idea that’s finished is infinitely better than your unfinished great idea.

You know that shitty book you love to hate?

Well, someone finished writing it. Because that writer, shitty or not, is a pro.

And working on their next shitty book right now. Which they’ll also finish.

(And the same goes for songs, screenplays, businesses, careers, and degrees.)

The amateur worries about finding an idea; the pro works to be ready for the idea when it comes.

Because the unglamorous hammer of craft is all that’s left once the shimmer of the idea fades.

And it will.

Which brings us back to the pro’s definition of “creative.”

The pro knows creativity is a process. An arduous one.

Ideas are the fun, carefree part of that process. They’re the whimsical, flirtatious vixen smiling at you from across the bar.

The amateur is seduced; the pro, however, is terrified.

The pro knows that the vixen is wearing a mask, and underneath it is the scariest fucking beast you’ve ever seen.

Return the smile and you’ll be in for the fight of your life.

That fight is the creative process.

Ideas are overrated.

Be a professional.

Understand that it’s not your great ideas that will bring you success, but your ability to execute them, and, more than anything, to finish them.

I like how @naval puts this: “grind out the long race.”

https://twitter.com/naval/status/1088324989533581315?s=21