This instead of that

The activity is the thing that I’m most interested in. Nearly everything that I’ve done was to see what would happen if I did this instead of that. [Robert Rauschenberg]

Estate
(1963)
Oil and silkscreen ink on canvas

It’s when you’ve found out how to do certain things, that it’s time to stop doing them, because what’s missing is that you’re not including the risk. [Robert Rauschenberg]

Robert Rauschenberg 1968

Experimenting is central to creativity. The mentality is as much science as art. What will happen if I try this? What will happen if I change this element?

By definition, sometimes in the process of being creative you must fail. In such a context, failing is always learning. Risk is essential to creativity, change and growth. If you don’t give it a try, you will never know. Now is the moment in the year to take a risk and try something new.

I had a conversation about this with my brother over the weekend. He is just about to move house after a couple of decades bringing up his family in his current place. He sees staying put in one location forever as a kind of defeat. Change, adventure, “missions” (as he put it) are all critical to living a good last third of life. Changing place is one obvious way of progressing. Changing attitude or outlook is another perfectly achievable way. Anywhere where you try this instead of that – these surroundings instead of those, this positivity instead of that grumpiness, this uprightness instead of that stooping, these clothes worn with purpose instead of those just thrown on, this fresh work trajectory instead of that familiar repetition, this risk instead of that dull comfort.

Getting started

The secret of getting ahead is getting started [Mark Twain]

(Liking the style)

 

Getting started can be daunting. Often it builds up in your mind so that it becomes more a psychological barrier than an actual one. If you can’t see right to where you are heading, you can be put off even setting off.

I’ve just finished Nick Hornby’s book comparing Dickens and Prince (my last book of 2025, finished en route to a new year’s eve party in Tufnell Park). It reminds its readers that Dickens commonly embarked on writing a novel without knowing the ending.

Goethe was big on beginnings…

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

The Chinese came up with a more concise take on beginning…

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

This proverb derives from the Tao Te Ching, a foundational work of Taoism, ascribed to Laozi.

1st January or thereabouts is the perfect time to be bold, take the risk, step out onto that path of which you don’t necessarily know the ultimate route, and let the world shape itself around you in that magical way to bring you material assistance and helpful network effects to enable you to reach your goal or dream.

Begin it now…