Don't be a midwit
Howdy folks, you’ve probably seen some variation of this meme before.
The beginner defaulting to simplicity, the midwit overwhelmed by trying to optimise everything and the master focused on simplicity.
As you work on anything you’re bound to end up becoming a midwit for a period of time.
I’ve seen it with my agency, constantly looking to add more services instead of doubling down on what’s working.
Or even with this newsletter, trying to add a rigid structure when the magic is in the simplicity.
The key is to cross the threshold of midwittery into mastery as fast as possible.
And you do this through establishing what the fundamental pieces are to your craft.
As a zen Buddhist proverb says “Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.”
Want to write well? Sit down and write everyday.
Want to get fit? Move more than you sit.
Want to save more money? Earn more than you spend.
Want to lose weight? Burn more calories than you eat.
Want to build a YouTube channel? Make the best videos you can.
The gap between where you are today and where you want to be is closed through simplicity, not complexity.
Focus on the fundamentals of your craft.
p.s to avoid being a midwit this newsletter is now going to be simple AF. 1 piece on something I’m thinking about and 8 interesting things I find on creativity, business and growth.
- 1. Tim Urban on the importance of your environment:
“Human nature is a constant, and when you put that constant into different environments, it produces different behavior. That makes environment the independent variable.”
- 2. Going a step further: This is a 5 minute video of guests complimenting how deep the research is that Danny Miranda has done on them before their interview. This right here is the definition of "if something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing".
- 3. Paul Graham on exponential growth: When something hits you've gotta move fast.
4. How It All Works (A Few Short Stories): This is a great short read from Morgan Housel, the story about Richard Feynman stood out to me.
As he neared death, physicist Richard Feynman asked a friend why he looked sad. The friend said he would miss Feynman. Feynman said that he had told so many good stories to so many people – stories that would surely be repeated – that even after death he would not be completely gone.
It’s similar to the idea that everyone suffers two deaths: Once when they die, and another when their name is spoken for the last time.
5. Why I avoid the news: Negativity spreads, don't let it infect your brain.
6. Take more risks:
If there's a gap between where you are and where you want to be take more risks.
7. The perosn who doesn't make mistakes: I read this short book from Paul Arden yesterday and this page resonated.
8. Creativity is contagious:
Creativity is contagious if you and I are exchanging our best work, our best work gets better. Abundance multiplies. Scarcity subtracts. A vibrant culture creates more than it takes. - Seth Godin, The Practice
End Note
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Have a fantastic week!
- Stephen