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Madhukar's avatar

Your writing gives me hope that we won't all be replaced by ChatGPT.

Some of my favorite bits:

"In this prelapsarian state, the work is flawless because it is nothing: a ghost of pure potential that haunts the creator with its impossible beauty."

"Creation is not birth; it is murder. The murder of the impossible in service of the possible."

"Your masterpiece won't emerge from your mind fully formed like Athena from Zeus's head. It will emerge from your willingness to start badly and improve steadily. It will emerge from your commitment to showing up consistently rather than brilliantly. It will emerge from your ability to see failure as information rather than indictment.

The work that will matter most to you, the work that will surprise you with its significance, is probably much smaller than you imagine and much closer than you think."

"The curse and the gift are the same thing: we see further than we can walk, dream bigger than we can build, imagine more than we can create."

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Takim Williams's avatar

It would be hilarious if it turned out these lines were written by ChatGPT

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Madhukar's avatar

I would lose my mind 😂😭

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Michael's avatar

This is exceptionally written - loved every sentence. And admittedly, and unfortunately, I feel very seen. The question is how did I get here in the first place? If not for social media, is it just the way I am, lack of validation growing up? No jdea. Surely there’s more like me and just getting to work feels like a never ending uphill battle. More to explore for sure but this was so insightful and clear. Thank you for writing this

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Palak Jain's avatar

"creation is not birth, it is murder" I'm dying, one of the best lines I've ever read

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Smicolo's avatar

I’ve read quite a few of your pieces but this has moved me like no other. As someone who has been creatively paralyzed for the past two years and feels trapped in their idealized version of their work, this felt like a wake up call. You put into words things I felt but couldn’t express. Thank you, I can’t wait to start do-learning again.

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Tica Martin's avatar

Fascinating analysis. Do-learn is great. And I love the sports analogy. Here’s another one: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Gretzky, I think.

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Athanasius Georgy's avatar

This was really an insightful read. What really hit home: the learning never stops requiring the doing. The doing never stops requiring learning. The work changes me. I change the work. The work changes me again.

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Andrew Palla's avatar

I am possibly one of those new people in the audience. I saw a viral video of you, read one of your Substack posts and then created an account just to read what you’ve got to say. Your writing is so eloquent, yet approachable. I am envious of how well you communicate your thoughts. I am going to start giving myself permission to fail.

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Maalvika's avatar

wow, thank you for being here!! such kind words, i appreciate it :)

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Maryam's avatar

I always learn something after reading your posts! Love love love this

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Daphney Talekar's avatar

insane. another banger.

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maddy quoss's avatar

This is impeccable writing. Thank you!

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Michael Macfadden's avatar

Thank you for giving me a name for the taste-skill discrepancy. Loved this piece.

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Lisa Kholostenko's avatar

Insane!! I wrote down so many quotes from this. Seriously floored and motivated and beyond. Thank you!!

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Natalie Anne's avatar

You are so wise beyond words and once again, I thank you whole heartedly for this elegant and well written article 🙏🙏

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Parker Jones's avatar

sheesh this is beautiful, and made me feel one of my favorite feelings - when vague and disparate fragments of intuition are woven together in ways that feel new yet intensely familiar. I struggle with the learn/do balancing act and while the voice of those preaching power of consistency seems to be getting louder, the message has never felt as clear as you’ve managed to make it. thank you and looking forward to reading more of your work.

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Aditya's avatar

Incredibly useful article. Liked the style of writing ; inspired

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Pia’s Girl World 💐's avatar

Thank you so much for writing this, I feel so lucky to have read this at the perfect time, it felt like hearing advice from a person i aspire to be. precisely what I needed to hear

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