Been reading Linchpin by Seth Godin (an oldie, but a goodie). So I'm pushing against the resistance, the lizard brain, all the things keeping me from posting a blog.
Glassblowing and agile
Danny and I had a grand time in our short visit to Seattle at the beginning of April. One of the best experiences was seeing the Chihuly Exhibit. The videos in the theater at the end of the exhibit prompted us to go back through previous parts, especially to see the Macchia. But the best part of going back was that we got to see a couple of folks blowing glass. The process is consistent (get the glass rod hot, add air, add color, shape it appropriately), but for each piece, there is an artistry to it. What's the external temperature? Humidity? And there's always the risk of failure (in the ten minutes we watched, the demonstrators noted at least 5 potentials for failure). But through continued practice, those risks are reduced, the choreography of spinning the glass, heating it, tapping it just right... all results in a final piece of art.
Do what you love, love what you do, and do better
Yes, there will always be parts of work that aren't enjoyable. But there is always the stuff that you fell in love with at the beginning. How can you do more of that?
Yes, things will break. That major project may fail. But, as Marilyn Monroe said, "Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
Take a risk today. Do something you're not perfect at yet. Get better.
