An incomplete manifesto for growth.

Posted by Tim Gruber | Filed under Uncategorized

This list makes a nice addition to any creative workspace.

Here’s a small sampling of the inspiration I hope to apply to my work and life this school year:

Allow events to change you. You have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live it. The prerequisites for growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be changed by them.

Go deep. The deeper you go the more likely you will discover something of value.

Capture accidents. The wrong answer is the right answer in search of a different question. Collect wrong answers as part of the process. Ask different questions.

Drift. Allow yourself to wander aimlessly. Explore adjacencies. Lack judgment. Postpone criticism.

Begin anywhere. John Cage tells us that not knowing where to begin is a common form of paralysis. His advice: begin anywhere.

Work the metaphor. Every object has the capacity to stand for something other than what is apparent. Work on what it stands for.

Further Reading:

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Permalink | September 12th, 2007

4 Responses to “An incomplete manifesto for growth.”

  1. Kevin Says:
    September 13th, 2007 at 7:40 am

    Nice list, to which I would add:

    “If you know exactly what you’re going to do, what’s the point of doing it?” (Pablo Picasso, quote in Bryan Moss’ book, PhotoSynthesis)

    That book, as well as “War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, are great resources for creative inspiration without being overly new-agey. (If you really can’t stomach the new-age genre, stop reading Pressfield after page 100; the first 100 pages are still gold.)

    Kevin

  2. Tim Gruber Says:
    September 13th, 2007 at 7:45 am

    Thanks for reminding me of the PhotoSynthesis book. Something I need to add to my collection.

  3. Kevin Says:
    September 13th, 2007 at 9:30 am

    I think PhotoSynthesis is a great book with an outstanding mix of images (both by Bryan and by several others), writing, and quotes from a range of disciplines. The design and printing are also really good. In my opinion, it’s the best book on the practice of photography out there. For $30 including shipping, how can you go wrong?
    It’s only available directly from Bryan Moss, so here’s the link: http://www.lifeinamerica.us/photosynthesis.

  4. Waitin’ On a Moment - by Tim Gruber » How to be creative. Says:
    February 19th, 2008 at 12:53 pm

    [...] Reminds me a bit of the Incomplete Manifesto for Growth, which I love. [...]

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