You Can't Please Everyone
Follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly and forget about comfort
I’m not easily convinced, deceived, or distracted by people because I don’t really pay attention to people (as opposed to ideas). 99% of the time when I write, I write for myself. I write what pleases me. I write what I wish to read when I have 3-7 spare minutes.
But, in that 1%, I do get a little self-conscious. I worry a little about criticism. I worry that you misunderstand me and unsubscribe. I consider deleting certain sentences or paragraphs or entire drafts because it’s too risky. Then, at that point, writing becomes a death by a thousand papercuts — a draft is never ready to be published when you’re worried that you can’t please everyone.
Here’s my conclusion about creativity and sharing your best ideas in public: disregard comfort.
I used to fence. Fencing gear is one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve ever worn, and when I did, I did it for hours and hours on end. Ergonomic? Sure. Comfortable? Never — but that’s because fencing gear is designed fo…