Yoooo! Thanks so much for watching! Just thought I'd write out the actionable parts of this video in full, to make it super practical: The Quantity over Quality technique: 1. If you're suck on trying to crack the perfect idea, shift your brief to just coming up with 30* average ideas (*adjust number accordingly). 2. Give yourself a time limit to do this in 3. Get cracking The idea is that we're trying to decrease our creative inhibitions and access the Flow State. Usually through quantity we can find quality. So for me, when I sit and come up with 40 ideas, usually 5 of those are okay. Basically: quantity leads to quality Rewards: • This is the idea that you motivate yourself with a reward for finishing Distraction Detoxes and Lockboxes • If the thing that gets between you and the finish line is distractions, you can forcibly remove them in a number of ways. For me, my phone is the biggest one, so I have a lockbox that I put it in. Other ideas in this realm are deleting social media apps and turning off wifi if you're not doing an internet-based project. Artificial Deadlines • This is where you set yourself a deadline in order to manufacture deadline energy: the motivation that comes when you need to finish work by a certain day. Accountability Partner • This is when you tell a friend "I will get this much of my project done today. Hold me accountable." And then they hold you to that standard. NOTE: if you're looking for an accountability partner, I have a whole accountability partner chat in my discord: discord.gg/y7jJGBRUJ3 the good people here will hold you accountable to finishing things Finish Tiny Things to Build Up The Muscle • This is where you finish little things around the house or in your daily life in order to get a taste for "finishing". Think: putting your laundry away or always cleaning the kitchen to the point of finishing. The idea here is that you build an identity around finishing, so, when it comes time to finish your projects, you've already put in the hard yards. Do it because someone said you can't • This is where you visualise someone you don't like (yes it's dark) telling you that you can't finish, and then you use that energy to finish in spite of them. I wouldn't recommend doing this too often, but damn it does work. Trust the process • This is where you try hold off on judging yourself until the work is done. This one is probably the least practical, and the most cerebral, but for me I use it in mantra form telling myself to "trust the process" when I start to freak out that the work isn't good enough. Visualise crossing the finish line • This is where you imagine how good it'll be to finish your project, really tap into that emotion, and use that to propel you through that last slog Reassess your work • There's every possibility that your work is actually finished and you're just holding onto it for a number of reasons. The potential actionable here is to release it into the world as is in order to ignite some finishing momentum
Thank you so much for this! There were definitely some amazing hacks that I think will work for me. I had heard it before that done is better than perfect, but how you explained it in this video, really drove it home for me! Love your content! ✌️
Sometimes it weighs on my mind how many amazing projects / art / music / book and other stuff never happened because people thought its not good enough anyways and therefore procrastinated. (Looking at myself here, too.)
It is a way of control: not finishing something because then, no one can judge and reject it. This is typically due to some form of trauma in your life and most people do it. I think Cam explained it best regarding how Western society builds values in this video. Heck, I'm procrastinating right now; instead of finishing my paper which I need to finish to graduate as a therapist, I'm watching motivational videos on finishing stuff. Now that's ironic.
My reason is more towards "i'm just shouting into the void anyways." It's difficult to be seen, to be heard, to be found, in this era where there are too much noises. And especially when you've gathered years of courage to show up vulnerably? With creations you hold so dearly? ... Heartbreaking. I try to keep holding on to faith. "What's yours will find you." "There are audience meant for you." But the longer it takes, the more devastated you get. It's easier to lost your hold on the faith.... It naturally slips away. And so you're lost in deep misery... because the story inside you-aching, longing to be heard-keeps growing without destination. 😔
I know this comment is a year old but I hope you've been able to work on your own projects, even a little bit. To add onto what you said, a movie I'd been waiting on for over 5 years just got cancelled, and I was so upset that it would take the studio that long to just give up on something so hyped. So many of us who waited would've even been fine with a half-finished movie. Then I realized how long 5 years is, and I thought... maybe I could've worked on my own project in that time. Maybe I could've finished something I'm interested in. So I started thinking about what I want to have done in 5 years. It's not like I have anyone but myself to let down, so why not try? Basically, don't let 5 years go by where you let those dreams sit in the back of your head. You only have so many "5 years" before you run out of time. Even if you can't finish a project in 5 years, giving it a try is better than not trying at all. Don't worry about your work being good enough. Just let it exist.
I am so amazed at how well-made, in depth, positive but realistic, researched and impactful all your videos are. There is so much value packed in a couple of minutes and I'm so grateful to have found your channel. Thank you, your work makes a big difference.
Growing up in a perfectionist household, I got scared of starting things. I was soooo hard on myself, because I can only finish if I’m perfect. But THIS VIDEO HELPED A LOT. I feel relieved.
Just so that I can start the day with a small task that I can actually finish and feel useful at the same time: - Alice Neel's work and Introduction: 0:00 - "The harsh truth": 1:58 - "Why we stop": 3:39 - "Write a bad book first": 4:33 - "Perfectionism and self worth": 8:31 - "Still feeling no closer to finishing your project?": 11:45
Damn I needed this, I am productive AF in my current career (accountant) but I really really want to paint, I think about it daily. And I've got at least 20 paintings started over the past 5 years but I've never finished a single one. I'm going do challenge myself to make one small piece of art every day, love your stuff 💜
Yes!!! I know what you mean about painting~ I actually got inspired recently when I picked up an impulse purchase at the art supply store- one of those tiny Legion watercolor tablets of paper (only 2.5" x 3.75"). This really forces me to finish and set limits on practicing for about an hour at a time. Yes, working smaller presents its own challenges... and I don't know what medium of paint you're working in (I prefer gouache most), but overall, I highly recommend this practice to increase your practice of finishing paintings to start~
I'm in this spot. I love to draw, but I really want to study the fundamentals and bring my game up. Problem is work gets in the way and I'm horribly unstructured in my off time.
I genuinely can't express my gratitude for letting me discover your videos and your channel. This is another video filled with education, lessons, and motivation that I probably couldn't get from others. Thanks for another great video man! I hope you keep doing more of these kinds of videos❤️
I feel exactly the same when I watch most of his videos. I watch a lot of self help and improving content and I appreciate most of it, I learned a lot. But the way Campbell puts all the information into place, *especially with all the practical advice*, speaks much more personally to me. Maybe the fact that he's really been in our shoes helps him give us more relatable stories as well as advice. He gives me hope that being better and happier truly isn't so out of my reach. I have his book on my wishlist for Christmas, I hope someone gets it for me
Just realized there's a myth I had to give up to get better at finishing but a lot of ppl still believe: "A Really Good Idea will practically finish itself" like I had the feeling that a great idea had its own momentum that would carry me along. (Spoiler alert not true lol) It's more like mining for a diamond and occasionally having the mine collapse on you 😂
The stories you use as examples always fit in so well with the points you're trying to make! Love the message in the end, kinda comforting to know that!! I need to put more emphasis on repetition but I get bored way too easily lol. Thanks for sharing your insight and giving me a skill to work on!! :)
Same i get bored easily as well, so i found that having two projects to work on helps, get bored of one work on the other and go back and forth. Or you could also have one project and also draw random things that interest you when you get bored off the project, then go back to the project
In animation school; our professors really drilled into our heads: "Finished; not perfect". After 5 yrs of working in the undustry, I still struggle with applying this mindset to my work. This video was a lovely refresher on that; thank you. :)
Added this to my watch later playlist a month ago and i just finished watching it and the amount of notes i wrote down are a looooot and the likelihood of me rewatching this is also a loooooot
Also, for the hack when "your project is finished". Since it's finished, there is no need to work on it anymore; however, you can still change a couple of things: slightly embellish a part of the website here, rephrase a sentence there, optimize a code here, It might even allow you to enter the "flow state" and finish a couple more things. Works the best for small parts of your projects.
As someone that’s a super procrastinator aswell, I’ve always had the mentality to finish whatever i started, I learned this when I was 14 watching anime. I couldn’t bare the feeling of not finished an anime and starting a new one. Because of that I was able to finish every anime I started, and this translated into my life on finishing whatever task or goal I start on and making sure I complete it.
I hope u know that by talking about your experiences and sharing your thoughts you really help people. This, with the help from my therapist, makes it easier to deal with perfectionism and self doubt. I’m currently trying to complete my artistic diploma and feel stuck. Your videos give me some hope. Thank you!
It is very much a privilege to be able to have the mindset that ones worth is not ones work. Because for many of us our work is our only means of survival and so the existencial dread that comed with doing anything can be absolutely crippling
You are truly the best mentor/coach/cheerleader any creative person could ask for. Your videos are comforting and encouraging…and also a good kick in the pants. Thanks, Cam. (And as soon as I saw that graph, I was like, “But it’s missing the overwhelming spike of joy at the end of finishing!” 😃)
I love these tips. I am someone who is always very excited to start something new. But when my doubts kick in I feel so much anxiety and dread. A TedTalk video I saw last week also had some great insights when it comes to procrastination. Apparently there is a healthy balance between procrastination and precrastination (as the speaker said) that actually sparks more creativity. Very interesting stuff!
This really is self-help in its most pure and nontoxic form. The ideas you shared are simple and actionable and applicable to most situations. Also your content is so excellently edited/curated - these are literally the only videos on UA-cam that my ADHD-addled brain can sit through, fully engage with and absorb information from. Thanks so much for your channel!
Tysm for your videos! I've lately been procrastinating in a slump with unfinished school assignments itching to be done, and a daily average of 6 hours on tiktok. Your amazing videos have helped me put my thoughts to action ❤❤ tysm
I really needed this reinforced, thanks for the video. I read a quote the other day that hit me like a ton of bricks. It said "If you chase two rabbits you won't catch either one" and I realized the reason I don't feel satisfied or accomplished is because I am currently chasing about 5 rabbits. I haven't caught one yet and am really out of energy changing direction all the time hopping (no pun intended) between projects. I have been saying that quote to myself over and over to help me stick to one thing and finish it and this video was like an elaboration on that quote. Thanks for helping drive the point home and make it memorable!
I don’t even know how I found this channel but I’m so glad I did. They way you deliver genuinely useful info in such a palatable, entertaining, humbling way and thread in a beautiful story at the same damn time, like bruh. You’re a g 💫
Hey, I just find your channel along a rabbit hole and I been watching a few videos over the last couple of days and I think your content is quite good man, keep it up, cheers and congrats on everything you're doing and that's coming into your life Brouu! 🥂
So timely for me, as always. Sorta spooky. Love the quantity over quality angle, I think that would work for my “make it good or why effing bother” mindset.
Thanks for featuring Alice Neel. She is an alumna of Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, PA, an all-women's art college - same one I graduated from, many years later, although I am way less famous. It's a great school!
You're a huge inspiration to so many - just hope you know that! As an artist and designer I just needed an example that people care and want to learn about creative topics and that's valuable. Other than that I personally love every single one of your videos without fail!! Literally never disappoints I get so excited to watch your videos.
This reminds me of the humans of New York photographer. I have one of his books because he’s a huge inspiration to me. So many people have stories we know nothing about and he is able to capture the dark and raw side of humanity. Also, I’m sure many (including myself) would love to see that video project you have months of footage of, even if it’s unedited. I love travel videos! And I’m the same way with projects at times, I start things I don’t finish, but there’s so many things I enjoy and want to try or do, but I just have a lot of bricks and foundation and not many finished houses 😢 I feel the same way about my portfolio. I’ve been using this year to produce more bodies of work so I can get into some art shows later this year! Usually, I get excited about something else or lose the inspiration to jump back in. Lately though, life has been pulling me away (lots of deaths and funerals in my life rn) so it’s been causing me burn out and a need to step away. But, when everything is stable I do struggle to get to the finish line. It’s like right there and I want to scream because it sucks and I get bored and I’m sick of working on it lol.
I have to say you have become my favorite youtuber for creative advice. You just seem genuine and your advice is really not just a repetition of dubious self-improvement techniques, but your problem solving process is actually well thought out and and rooted in practicality. You videos never dissapoint, keep it up
I’m in a hole of where and what to do next because I’ve procrastinated in my art business for so many reasons. I absolutely needed this video. The concept of making a bad book/making bad art first is an absolute game changer for me. I never realized how much pressure I was putting on myself to make something as it shows in my head as opposed to just making. THANK YOU.
Thank you so much for this video. It’s 3:08 in the morning I’ve been feeling depressed and worthless most of the day. But when you said to write two crappy pages a day. About making something mediocre just because you can. It really clicked with me. I’ve struggled for so long with perfectionism and comparing my work and art with people that are decades in the field. I think I will try and finish old artwork. After I get some sleep.
Somewhere in the past I watched a video about you doing those crane drawings everyday. Seeing it again here it clicked in a much different way. This time my brain immediately went "oh you are tricking yourself into being able to practice every day. By making it one singular thing you will always be able to draw it yet also want to spice it up, you give yourself a stable foundation". I'm gonna try that myself. And of the hacks you brought up the proving someone wrong one is that one that works best for me. Someone says I can't do something and I'll bend over backwards to prove them wrong. Thanks man.
struthless consistently posts the most unique and original content on this platform. no “productivity/motivational” videos will ever inspire me like these & i’m so grateful for his creations.
Oh no, I accidently clicked the dislike button. Or to be honest, just to see what would happen, because I don't see that many dislikes anymore. Now I get it, and I think it's a huge step forward for the mental health side of creators ;-) (for those of you who don't know: it says: feedback will be submitted to the creator - or something like that) I quickly changed my opinion and liked the video and will share it with a lot of people. I absolutely love the video. When you say: 'The more you finish projects, the more you finish projects in the future' you surely hit the nail on the head. My first book took me over 5 years to finish, will recently I finished a new manuscript in only 2 months. Love your videos (and your book!). Keep sharing your wisdom, Mr. Struthless.
For me, personally, the main reason for abbandoning projects always was lack of exitement. Basically, as soon as the exitement/challange runs out, and all there is left is making the boring stuff, be it turning a stack of papers covered in jotted down ideas and scribbles to actual book, or to actually make a game after figuring out how to script all the necessary mechanics, I leave it be. Time limits don't work, because "it's personal project, nothing hinges on it being completed in time" and rewards don't work because... well, sure I can have the cookie after I am finished, but I cold also have the cookie now, and finish that later.
My brain isn't sure why the Alice and James conclusion brought a mist of tears to my eyes. But my heart knows. Message (and what a precious message) received. Thank you! ✨
I was listening to a podcast that said, “it’s important to live life by design rather than emotion. Basically, sticking to a routine is what allows us to be the healthiest version of ourselves (especially when you're fighting these demons ex. OCD for me). I’ve had to overhaul how I approach studying, working out and taking care of my brain (journaling) by practising mediocre consistency. Now I try to put in consistent 50-60% effort into my studying, exercise and journaling habit - to make sure I do it I began recording it and posting it on YT. Because historically I have a habit of going too hard, not being able to sustain the Herculean effort, giving up and hating myself. So now I’m trying to give a small, consistent mediocre effort everyday. And its crazy how it adds up.
For some reason, that last story you told...really touched me. I literally got full body chills and started to tear up a bit. It never truly hit me that...a project, in its imperfections and unfinishedness, could BE perfect. Just by existing. Wow. Lots to unpack there from my end, but thank you for sharing. Truly. You never miss!
That last advice gave me goosebumps honestly the way you told that story too is so good and perfectly executed. I'm always looking forward to your videos 💕 I always get inspired
You are genius to figure out what’s hampering your growth instead of getting demotivated from your unfinished projects you actuallmade an effort to find put that why.. and I think this is definitely gonna help me.. I will start my work again and this time I will be consistent till the time I actually finish it. Thanks for you advice ❤
We can really tell that you put a lot of heart in your videos. The editing, art and mixing in personal and other people's stories is just *chefs kiss*. And while taking care of a newborn on top of that! Amazing work as always 👏
that final tip you included and how it wrapped up the story... was definitely an "oh" moment for me. i'm gonna go... sit and absorb that for a while lol.
Just got your book, it arrived yesterday and I wolfed the whole thing in one go. Am going to read it again slowly and take time to digest and do journaling, but I just wanted to tell you how much I liked it. I bought it actually mostly to support you cos I like your channel, but you've made just a .... really nice thing, all round. It's nice to hold, it feels nice, the style of the text is easy to read both in terms of my ageing eyes can read it and in terms of your narrative voice (which obviously is already in my head cos I watch you here, so that helps), the illustrations are adorable and the ideas are ... ... you've done what I try to do as a teacher every day: take a load of known, easily available concepts that people struggle to make meaningful use of, and make them come alive, be useful and helpful in a personal way. So, yeah. thanks for the lovely book. And all the channel content too obviously.
Bro, for real tho, thank you. Your "hey this is what worked for me if it works for you cool if not 😎" attitude is everything. Thank you for ur words. Powerful stuff my dude. Stay awesome and God bless! Can't wait to get my book!
This was amazing to watch and right on time for me. I've spent today in anxiety and overwhelm due to unfinished projects and was really putting myself down over it. Fantastic work, really!
I saw your video on "The Stallion Theory" a few days ago. I re-created your form - and stuck to it. Published something that day based on the constraints. A few weeks ago I had promised to release acoustic only versions of my songs. By release... finish recording, mixing, and mastering the song. I released two dutifully. Then, started my third, guitars tracked, scratch vocals tracked.... over the past two weeks, I recorded bass guitar, electric guitar, shakers, a scratch key track to give my friend and keyboardist as an idea, a few tracks of backing vocals, a tambourine.... it's sounding pretty good. And then, this morning, a friend online says, "I thought you were releasing purely acoustic songs right now." I muted all the extra stuff and thought, "Damn... this sounds good and is almost complete. Finish it today." And so... vocals to be recorded with a deadline of this afternoon. Mix and release on the weekend. Sorry about the novella. It was a long way to say, I appreciate your advice.
Thank you. I've been staring at this painting for a week now and it's done.... except her nose. It just needs... but I don't know how to... thank you for helping me understand that it can be finished, even though it isn't better. Maybe the better will be in the next painting!
Finding this channel has made me feel like I have just been on youtube FOR YEARS actually looking for it without knowing what it was. I love your way of creating content man
The "write a bad book first" is such fantastic advice. I've been writing short stories since middle school but never really finished any because I just lost motivation, ideas, or plain thought they would be bad. Now my goal is that even if it's horrendously cliche or full of plot holes or poorly written I'm writing one story that is 100,000 words (novel length). I'm at 43,000 words now which is 5 times farther than I've ever gotten. Will I ever publish this book? Maybe. The important thing is that I want to finish the story. The strange thing is that by taking the pressure off to write an original masterpiece I'm actually really happy with my writing for a first draft.
Wow, I just had a flash back of my life when you said "it was just long that i got bored". I was just looking for a great video on youtube (actually i was procrastinating again, yeah) and algorithms offered me this pure "get your life straight " lesson. Thanks a lot, I'll try to apply every single piece of advice you gave there. And at this point, you're the big bro I never had, cheers for the best 🔥
affection by achievement is something ive witnessed and experienced a lot of. we are taught we are only good enough by producing some form of observable result. not enough time was spent on rewarding us for being good people and especially for taking the time to care for ourselves. instead we are expected to keep busy and producing.
i'm scouring the whole internet and forum to find the way to finish projects, and i can't find anything good. to my suprise, your video hit to the heart of the problem, dissect it, and offers a couple of great advices
I rarely leave comments on videos but your channel has been insane in helping me understand creativity and my own mind! Youre such a joy to listen to and I feel so energised by your videos. Also good to see another Aussie! : )
Never stop continuously making art work like whose amazing video content forms struthless, much love from FX from Austria. You will be colossal on YT if you need grinding and never stop creating “content”
thank you! You have made being creative feel so much more figure-outable. Whenever I feel creatively stuck I watch one of your videos - muchos gracias!
Thank you for talking about shameful habits in such a kind way. All the videos I've watched about this topic was like "you are being lazy, you need to organize yourself, loser" but you address those things with kindness. Thank you
Your story telling is chefs kiss! I honour your honesty and relatable creative content that has always brought a giggle or tear to my face. I very much enjoy all the many different videos you’ve created over the years. Thank You! What a beautiful ending to a story that never really ends…
Thank you so much for putting this into words! I am so bad at finishing projects and I didn't know that it's very common to go through that "I hate it, it's a mess, I'm almost there but it's not worth it anymore, I want to burn it all down"-phase. I'm slowly learning that even if I don't put my all in that last phase, it's still better than not finishing it at all. I'll still learn something I can apply in the next project I'm so eager to start.
Perfectly timed for my birthday and the thoughts of...well, it's perfectly timed. I'm revising and resetting goals for myself for this new year. Thanks!
Today is the first day I have ever seen any of your content. I have now somehow watched 10 if your videos straight and even taken notes on all of the topics. Thank you so much for this! I feel like I am taking a mini course on how to improve as a person. This kind of content is so needed in the world!
Your videos are the most valuable thing I've found on the internet. I know that sounds overblown, but I've seen so many videos and articles about how hard life is for people, the country I live in, and the world. How everything is doomed and life is suffering etc. etc. None of them offer helpful, actionable steps to make it better. Your videos always offer something that leaves a positive impact. You're real and relatable and you've been through it, and that helps me realize I can come out the other side feeling alright. Thank you so much.
I really appreciated the reminder about getting into the flow state. I experienced it a lot in my first career as a teacher: there was always something more to do which bothered my perfectionist brain, but on longer tasks I could get absorbed by the rhythm of the process. Now I have chronic fatigue and most of my days are spent very carefully, doing the bare minimum to keep my housework manageable and doing a bit of movement and meditation, things I know will aid my recovery. There are plenty of creative things I enjoy doing (singing, playing music, journalling, writing poetry), but I spend very little of my time and energy on those things. It just hit me that by not doing them I'm depriving myself of experiencing the flow state as often as I could. I'm going to try using getting into the flow state as one of my purposes for doing those things more often. It will be worth the effort to do these activities that I know are nourishing to my mind and spirit. Thanks Cam!
I've only watched 2 of your videos and found that your content SO GOOD with actionable material. You are now my 2nd favorite YT channel! My first favorite being Matt D'Avella's. Well done MATE!
hey Struth, I'd love a video where you document the process of going from a blank sheet of paper to a finished garment. Making clothing seems really interesting and your portfolio is really inspiring!
“The Flow State” is a lot like Krashen’s i+1 principle. It’s a hypothesis that says learning is most effective when you meet a student at their current level and then add one level of difficulty. The “i” stands for input and the “+1” is the extra level of difficult. I learned about this during my teaching philosophy courses in college (I’m a certified French/Spanish teacher).
I'm going through this exact process. A few years ago now, I was focusing on pure output, starting with cranking out ink drawings for Inktober and trying to update my Instagram with SOMETHING, and there is no through-line with any of it, because I want to do everything! Currently I'm working on reference drawings I can come back to a bit at a time, and hopefully it will add up to a more developed drawing than all those one-offs.
I just binged a few of your videos and I constantly hear you say that you aren't an expert, but I feel that you are. You're an expert by experience, especially for those who have had similar experiences to you. ❤ Thank you!
Wow I watched hundreds of videos about procrastination but this one would be the only one I need ❤ the idea of writing a bad book is wonderful. And practicing finish something is priceless. Thanks a lot for this input.
This is my absolute favorite of all your videos, and I love so many of them. You managed to talk about everything of what I’ve learned about the subject in my own experience and teach even more - and organize it in a way that makes moving forward feel possible, inspiring, and necessary. Thank you mate!
This video is so perfectly timed in terms of what I’ve been experiencing lately surrounding notions of perfectionism and general output. I’m 26 and left my job to finally study graphic design after years of being too scared to put myself out there creatively (despite feeling as though I had a huge pool of creative ideas that I always wanted to draw upon). I just handed in my first ever assessment for a class and it was HARD. Just the process of getting it done felt like a massive slog and there were so many times where I felt hopeless/wanted to give up/was circling through the five stages of grief, so to speak (lmao) but I managed to push through, enter that flow state and actually generate something I totally didn’t expect and was proud of! So much so that I actually cried happy tears after I finished. It’s been years since I’ve seen something through like this so it was really huge for me. A lot of what you shared deeply resonates with me more generally but it feels especially poignant in this experience I’ve just had with study. I spoke about this with a friend of mine who explained that this flow state is mentioned in a book called The Artist’s Way. It’s another way to describe your ego stepping aside to let creative ideas through, unmarred by judgement. It’s crazy what can happen when you finally let it. Love your work, Cam. Thanks for another excellent video!!!
I notice you’ve changed your style up a little bit; got some new animations and stylized text in there, and I just want to say I am absolutely digging it. The content of this video is gold - as always - but it was really visually interesting to watch, too. I have ADHD, and my mind often wanders, especially during a 13 minute video, so I kinda rely on good visuals alongside the audio to anchor my attention, and this video absolutely nailed it. Good work, man ❤️
Yoooo! Thanks so much for watching!
Just thought I'd write out the actionable parts of this video in full, to make it super practical:
The Quantity over Quality technique:
1. If you're suck on trying to crack the perfect idea, shift your brief to just coming up with 30* average ideas (*adjust number accordingly).
2. Give yourself a time limit to do this in
3. Get cracking
The idea is that we're trying to decrease our creative inhibitions and access the Flow State. Usually through quantity we can find quality. So for me, when I sit and come up with 40 ideas, usually 5 of those are okay.
Basically: quantity leads to quality
Rewards:
• This is the idea that you motivate yourself with a reward for finishing
Distraction Detoxes and Lockboxes
• If the thing that gets between you and the finish line is distractions, you can forcibly remove them in a number of ways. For me, my phone is the biggest one, so I have a lockbox that I put it in. Other ideas in this realm are deleting social media apps and turning off wifi if you're not doing an internet-based project.
Artificial Deadlines
• This is where you set yourself a deadline in order to manufacture deadline energy: the motivation that comes when you need to finish work by a certain day.
Accountability Partner
• This is when you tell a friend "I will get this much of my project done today. Hold me accountable." And then they hold you to that standard.
NOTE: if you're looking for an accountability partner, I have a whole accountability partner chat in my discord: discord.gg/y7jJGBRUJ3 the good people here will hold you accountable to finishing things
Finish Tiny Things to Build Up The Muscle
• This is where you finish little things around the house or in your daily life in order to get a taste for "finishing". Think: putting your laundry away or always cleaning the kitchen to the point of finishing. The idea here is that you build an identity around finishing, so, when it comes time to finish your projects, you've already put in the hard yards.
Do it because someone said you can't
• This is where you visualise someone you don't like (yes it's dark) telling you that you can't finish, and then you use that energy to finish in spite of them. I wouldn't recommend doing this too often, but damn it does work.
Trust the process
• This is where you try hold off on judging yourself until the work is done. This one is probably the least practical, and the most cerebral, but for me I use it in mantra form telling myself to "trust the process" when I start to freak out that the work isn't good enough.
Visualise crossing the finish line
• This is where you imagine how good it'll be to finish your project, really tap into that emotion, and use that to propel you through that last slog
Reassess your work
• There's every possibility that your work is actually finished and you're just holding onto it for a number of reasons. The potential actionable here is to release it into the world as is in order to ignite some finishing momentum
Another great video, thank you!
Thank you so much for this! There were definitely some amazing hacks that I think will work for me. I had heard it before that done is better than perfect, but how you explained it in this video, really drove it home for me! Love your content! ✌️
This is SO helpful, thanks
Thanks for the resumé and the intriguing storytelling (I‘m a painter…)!
omg literally thank you for this 😂 the amount of times I've typed out your whole videos in my notes app hahaha
Cue the “I’ll put this on my Watch Later playlist” comments
Guilty! 🖐🏻
read this literally as i hit the + button 😰
Especially after leaving us with the cliffhanger of the James Hunter story at the beginning… I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO JAMES RIGHT NOW!!!
🤣🤣🤣
Dont you judge me
I'm procrastinating by watching this video, rationalizing that it will prevent future procrastination.
lol! Same 😅
and now you won a ps5/pc =0
Turns out It does pay to think of the future!
lol.yup. being self aware about a problem doesn't make it not true o_0
Omg what you said in the end: "Leave the artwork unfinished and imperfect, just like life" that deeply moved something in me.
I wish I could leave my masters thesis unfinished like life 🥲
Sometimes it weighs on my mind how many amazing projects / art / music / book and other stuff never happened because people thought its not good enough anyways and therefore procrastinated. (Looking at myself here, too.)
I literally just screenshotted your comment because I NEED to tell myself this.
It is a way of control: not finishing something because then, no one can judge and reject it. This is typically due to some form of trauma in your life and most people do it. I think Cam explained it best regarding how Western society builds values in this video.
Heck, I'm procrastinating right now; instead of finishing my paper which I need to finish to graduate as a therapist, I'm watching motivational videos on finishing stuff. Now that's ironic.
My reason is more towards "i'm just shouting into the void anyways."
It's difficult to be seen, to be heard, to be found, in this era where there are too much noises.
And especially when you've gathered years of courage to show up vulnerably? With creations you hold so dearly? ... Heartbreaking.
I try to keep holding on to faith. "What's yours will find you." "There are audience meant for you."
But the longer it takes, the more devastated you get. It's easier to lost your hold on the faith.... It naturally slips away.
And so you're lost in deep misery... because the story inside you-aching, longing to be heard-keeps growing without destination. 😔
I know this comment is a year old but I hope you've been able to work on your own projects, even a little bit.
To add onto what you said, a movie I'd been waiting on for over 5 years just got cancelled, and I was so upset that it would take the studio that long to just give up on something so hyped. So many of us who waited would've even been fine with a half-finished movie. Then I realized how long 5 years is, and I thought... maybe I could've worked on my own project in that time. Maybe I could've finished something I'm interested in. So I started thinking about what I want to have done in 5 years. It's not like I have anyone but myself to let down, so why not try?
Basically, don't let 5 years go by where you let those dreams sit in the back of your head. You only have so many "5 years" before you run out of time. Even if you can't finish a project in 5 years, giving it a try is better than not trying at all.
Don't worry about your work being good enough. Just let it exist.
"Done is better than perfect" is my new saving grace. Thank you so much.
I am so amazed at how well-made, in depth, positive but realistic, researched and impactful all your videos are. There is so much value packed in a couple of minutes and I'm so grateful to have found your channel. Thank you, your work makes a big difference.
I think the same mate✨
How can somebody say so many true things in such a short amount of time 😂
Growing up in a perfectionist household, I got scared of starting things. I was soooo hard on myself, because I can only finish if I’m perfect. But THIS VIDEO HELPED A LOT. I feel relieved.
Just so that I can start the day with a small task that I can actually finish and feel useful at the same time:
- Alice Neel's work and Introduction: 0:00
- "The harsh truth": 1:58
- "Why we stop": 3:39
- "Write a bad book first": 4:33
- "Perfectionism and self worth": 8:31
- "Still feeling no closer to finishing your project?": 11:45
Damn I needed this, I am productive AF in my current career (accountant) but I really really want to paint, I think about it daily. And I've got at least 20 paintings started over the past 5 years but I've never finished a single one. I'm going do challenge myself to make one small piece of art every day, love your stuff 💜
You can do it! Remember "Finished not perfect"!
[there's also art challenges that can help but there is none currently going on until like august]
Yes!!! I know what you mean about painting~ I actually got inspired recently when I picked up an impulse purchase at the art supply store- one of those tiny Legion watercolor tablets of paper (only 2.5" x 3.75"). This really forces me to finish and set limits on practicing for about an hour at a time. Yes, working smaller presents its own challenges... and I don't know what medium of paint you're working in (I prefer gouache most), but overall, I highly recommend this practice to increase your practice of finishing paintings to start~
I'm in this spot. I love to draw, but I really want to study the fundamentals and bring my game up. Problem is work gets in the way and I'm horribly unstructured in my off time.
Hi Mindy!!!❤️❤️❤️ Reminder❤️❤️❤️❤️
I genuinely can't express my gratitude for letting me discover your videos and your channel. This is another video filled with education, lessons, and motivation that I probably couldn't get from others. Thanks for another great video man! I hope you keep doing more of these kinds of videos❤️
you took the words right out of my mouth!
100%
I feel exactly the same when I watch most of his videos. I watch a lot of self help and improving content and I appreciate most of it, I learned a lot. But the way Campbell puts all the information into place, *especially with all the practical advice*, speaks much more personally to me. Maybe the fact that he's really been in our shoes helps him give us more relatable stories as well as advice. He gives me hope that being better and happier truly isn't so out of my reach. I have his book on my wishlist for Christmas, I hope someone gets it for me
Just realized there's a myth I had to give up to get better at finishing but a lot of ppl still believe: "A Really Good Idea will practically finish itself" like I had the feeling that a great idea had its own momentum that would carry me along. (Spoiler alert not true lol)
It's more like mining for a diamond and occasionally having the mine collapse on you 😂
The stories you use as examples always fit in so well with the points you're trying to make! Love the message in the end, kinda comforting to know that!! I need to put more emphasis on repetition but I get bored way too easily lol. Thanks for sharing your insight and giving me a skill to work on!! :)
Same i get bored easily as well, so i found that having two projects to work on helps, get bored of one work on the other and go back and forth. Or you could also have one project and also draw random things that interest you when you get bored off the project, then go back to the project
In animation school; our professors really drilled into our heads: "Finished; not perfect". After 5 yrs of working in the undustry, I still struggle with applying this mindset to my work. This video was a lovely refresher on that; thank you. :)
Added this to my watch later playlist a month ago and i just finished watching it and the amount of notes i wrote down are a looooot and the likelihood of me rewatching this is also a loooooot
Also, for the hack when "your project is finished". Since it's finished, there is no need to work on it anymore; however, you can still change a couple of things: slightly embellish a part of the website here, rephrase a sentence there, optimize a code here,
It might even allow you to enter the "flow state" and finish a couple more things. Works the best for small parts of your projects.
As someone that’s a super procrastinator aswell, I’ve always had the mentality to finish whatever i started, I learned this when I was 14 watching anime. I couldn’t bare the feeling of not finished an anime and starting a new one. Because of that I was able to finish every anime I started, and this translated into my life on finishing whatever task or goal I start on and making sure I complete it.
I hope u know that by talking about your experiences and sharing your thoughts you really help people. This, with the help from my therapist, makes it easier to deal with perfectionism and self doubt. I’m currently trying to complete my artistic diploma and feel stuck. Your videos give me some hope. Thank you!
It is very much a privilege to be able to have the mindset that ones worth is not ones work. Because for many of us our work is our only means of survival and so the existencial dread that comed with doing anything can be absolutely crippling
You are truly the best mentor/coach/cheerleader any creative person could ask for. Your videos are comforting and encouraging…and also a good kick in the pants. Thanks, Cam. (And as soon as I saw that graph, I was like, “But it’s missing the overwhelming spike of joy at the end of finishing!” 😃)
As a gunna, and not much of a do’er, I absolutely needed this today. Another gem of a video, thank you SO much ❤️
The irony is that it took me about an hour to finish this video because I kept getting distracted by other things. BUT I FINISHED IT EVENTUALLY
I love these tips. I am someone who is always very excited to start something new. But when my doubts kick in I feel so much anxiety and dread.
A TedTalk video I saw last week also had some great insights when it comes to procrastination. Apparently there is a healthy balance between procrastination and precrastination (as the speaker said) that actually sparks more creativity. Very interesting stuff!
This really is self-help in its most pure and nontoxic form. The ideas you shared are simple and actionable and applicable to most situations. Also your content is so excellently edited/curated - these are literally the only videos on UA-cam that my ADHD-addled brain can sit through, fully engage with and absorb information from. Thanks so much for your channel!
Tysm for your videos! I've lately been procrastinating in a slump with unfinished school assignments itching to be done, and a daily average of 6 hours on tiktok. Your amazing videos have helped me put my thoughts to action ❤❤ tysm
I really needed this reinforced, thanks for the video. I read a quote the other day that hit me like a ton of bricks. It said "If you chase two rabbits you won't catch either one" and I realized the reason I don't feel satisfied or accomplished is because I am currently chasing about 5 rabbits. I haven't caught one yet and am really out of energy changing direction all the time hopping (no pun intended) between projects. I have been saying that quote to myself over and over to help me stick to one thing and finish it and this video was like an elaboration on that quote. Thanks for helping drive the point home and make it memorable!
Coming back to this video in a moment of stress in my life... IDK what it is, but your advice is so helpful, and the delivery is so kind and gentle.
I don’t even know how I found this channel but I’m so glad I did. They way you deliver genuinely useful info in such a palatable, entertaining, humbling way and thread in a beautiful story at the same damn time, like bruh. You’re a g 💫
Hey, I just find your channel along a rabbit hole and I been watching a few videos over the last couple of days and I think your content is quite good man, keep it up, cheers and congrats on everything you're doing and that's coming into your life Brouu! 🥂
There is someone that's faking being you Campbell Walker. Please check into this.
So timely for me, as always. Sorta spooky. Love the quantity over quality angle, I think that would work for my “make it good or why effing bother” mindset.
Thanks for featuring Alice Neel. She is an alumna of Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, PA, an all-women's art college - same one I graduated from, many years later, although I am way less famous. It's a great school!
You're a huge inspiration to so many - just hope you know that! As an artist and designer I just needed an example that people care and want to learn about creative topics and that's valuable. Other than that I personally love every single one of your videos without fail!! Literally never disappoints I get so excited to watch your videos.
👆🎁👆 Thank you for watching…..you have been selected among the shortlisted winners for the ongoing PS5/PC/IPhone13 giveaway….message me now
This reminds me of the humans of New York photographer. I have one of his books because he’s a huge inspiration to me. So many people have stories we know nothing about and he is able to capture the dark and raw side of humanity.
Also, I’m sure many (including myself) would love to see that video project you have months of footage of, even if it’s unedited. I love travel videos!
And I’m the same way with projects at times, I start things I don’t finish, but there’s so many things I enjoy and want to try or do, but I just have a lot of bricks and foundation and not many finished houses 😢 I feel the same way about my portfolio. I’ve been using this year to produce more bodies of work so I can get into some art shows later this year! Usually, I get excited about something else or lose the inspiration to jump back in. Lately though, life has been pulling me away (lots of deaths and funerals in my life rn) so it’s been causing me burn out and a need to step away. But, when everything is stable I do struggle to get to the finish line. It’s like right there and I want to scream because it sucks and I get bored and I’m sick of working on it lol.
There is a lot of pleasure going back over a body of work too. I put cartoons on Instagram for a year or so, they still make me smile!
I love going back through my old files and finding things that make me go, "I made that?!"
I love how you wrapped the Alice Neel story into this video. You’re an excellent storyteller.
But he never told us what happened to James Hunter and why no one ever saw him again.
@@alexwilder8315 it’s not relevant to the video lol look it up if ur curious
I have to say you have become my favorite youtuber for creative advice. You just seem genuine and your advice is really not just a repetition of dubious self-improvement techniques, but your problem solving process is actually well thought out and and rooted in practicality. You videos never dissapoint, keep it up
I’m in a hole of where and what to do next because I’ve procrastinated in my art business for so many reasons. I absolutely needed this video. The concept of making a bad book/making bad art first is an absolute game changer for me. I never realized how much pressure I was putting on myself to make something as it shows in my head as opposed to just making. THANK YOU.
Thank you so much for this video.
It’s 3:08 in the morning I’ve been feeling depressed and worthless most of the day.
But when you said to write two crappy pages a day. About making something mediocre just because you can. It really clicked with me.
I’ve struggled for so long with perfectionism and comparing my work and art with people that are decades in the field.
I think I will try and finish old artwork.
After I get some sleep.
As a major procrastinator i deeply appreciate the work you are doing with this channel. Never stop doing these videos friend...
You can always count on a struthless video to be an absolute banger
Somewhere in the past I watched a video about you doing those crane drawings everyday. Seeing it again here it clicked in a much different way. This time my brain immediately went "oh you are tricking yourself into being able to practice every day. By making it one singular thing you will always be able to draw it yet also want to spice it up, you give yourself a stable foundation".
I'm gonna try that myself. And of the hacks you brought up the proving someone wrong one is that one that works best for me. Someone says I can't do something and I'll bend over backwards to prove them wrong.
Thanks man.
This is the type of video I watch twice in a row to really absorb it. Thanks again for another great one.
struthless consistently posts the most unique and original content on this platform. no “productivity/motivational” videos will ever inspire me like these & i’m so grateful for his creations.
Oh no, I accidently clicked the dislike button. Or to be honest, just to see what would happen, because I don't see that many dislikes anymore. Now I get it, and I think it's a huge step forward for the mental health side of creators ;-) (for those of you who don't know: it says: feedback will be submitted to the creator - or something like that)
I quickly changed my opinion and liked the video and will share it with a lot of people. I absolutely love the video. When you say: 'The more you finish projects, the more you finish projects in the future' you surely hit the nail on the head. My first book took me over 5 years to finish, will recently I finished a new manuscript in only 2 months. Love your videos (and your book!). Keep sharing your wisdom, Mr. Struthless.
For me, personally, the main reason for abbandoning projects always was lack of exitement. Basically, as soon as the exitement/challange runs out, and all there is left is making the boring stuff, be it turning a stack of papers covered in jotted down ideas and scribbles to actual book, or to actually make a game after figuring out how to script all the necessary mechanics, I leave it be.
Time limits don't work, because "it's personal project, nothing hinges on it being completed in time" and rewards don't work because... well, sure I can have the cookie after I am finished, but I cold also have the cookie now, and finish that later.
My brain isn't sure why the Alice and James conclusion brought a mist of tears to my eyes. But my heart knows. Message (and what a precious message) received. Thank you! ✨
I was listening to a podcast that said, “it’s important to live life by design rather than emotion. Basically, sticking to a routine is what allows us to be the healthiest version of ourselves (especially when you're fighting these demons ex. OCD for me).
I’ve had to overhaul how I approach studying, working out and taking care of my brain (journaling) by practising mediocre consistency. Now I try to put in consistent 50-60% effort into my studying, exercise and journaling habit - to make sure I do it I began recording it and posting it on YT.
Because historically I have a habit of going too hard, not being able to sustain the Herculean effort, giving up and hating myself. So now I’m trying to give a small, consistent mediocre effort everyday. And its crazy how it adds up.
This comment is so what I needed right now as I’ve just had my arse kicked by ADHD because I
of exactly that; emotion led rather than design!
You're truly my favorite UA-camr. There's no other creator that inspires me the way you do.
For some reason, that last story you told...really touched me. I literally got full body chills and started to tear up a bit. It never truly hit me that...a project, in its imperfections and unfinishedness, could BE perfect. Just by existing. Wow. Lots to unpack there from my end, but thank you for sharing. Truly. You never miss!
That last advice gave me goosebumps honestly the way you told that story too is so good and perfectly executed. I'm always looking forward to your videos 💕 I always get inspired
Oh my god this is good. Sitting here watching you with my back to an unfinished painting.
Can turn around now, thanks Struthless xx
You are genius to figure out what’s hampering your growth instead of getting demotivated from your unfinished projects you actuallmade an effort to find put that why.. and I think this is definitely gonna help me.. I will start my work again and this time I will be consistent till the time I actually finish it. Thanks for you advice ❤
We can really tell that you put a lot of heart in your videos. The editing, art and mixing in personal and other people's stories is just *chefs kiss*. And while taking care of a newborn on top of that! Amazing work as always 👏
Fantastic as always. I live by a strong guiding thought that each of us should have only one unfinished "symphony" we are entitled to.
Now that you mentioned you did it documentary we're going to need that finished.
that final tip you included and how it wrapped up the story... was definitely an "oh" moment for me. i'm gonna go... sit and absorb that for a while lol.
I was just avoiding finishing my work when this video popped up, perfect timing. Like always, a wonderful and helpful video, thank you!
Just got your book, it arrived yesterday and I wolfed the whole thing in one go. Am going to read it again slowly and take time to digest and do journaling, but I just wanted to tell you how much I liked it. I bought it actually mostly to support you cos I like your channel, but you've made just a .... really nice thing, all round. It's nice to hold, it feels nice, the style of the text is easy to read both in terms of my ageing eyes can read it and in terms of your narrative voice (which obviously is already in my head cos I watch you here, so that helps), the illustrations are adorable and the ideas are ...
... you've done what I try to do as a teacher every day: take a load of known, easily available concepts that people struggle to make meaningful use of, and make them come alive, be useful and helpful in a personal way. So, yeah. thanks for the lovely book. And all the channel content too obviously.
Bro, for real tho, thank you. Your "hey this is what worked for me if it works for you cool if not 😎" attitude is everything. Thank you for ur words. Powerful stuff my dude. Stay awesome and God bless! Can't wait to get my book!
Dude... my head just exploded! For real! Thank you! Thank you! Off to work.
This was amazing to watch and right on time for me. I've spent today in anxiety and overwhelm due to unfinished projects and was really putting myself down over it. Fantastic work, really!
I saw your video on "The Stallion Theory" a few days ago. I re-created your form - and stuck to it. Published something that day based on the constraints. A few weeks ago I had promised to release acoustic only versions of my songs. By release... finish recording, mixing, and mastering the song. I released two dutifully. Then, started my third, guitars tracked, scratch vocals tracked.... over the past two weeks, I recorded bass guitar, electric guitar, shakers, a scratch key track to give my friend and keyboardist as an idea, a few tracks of backing vocals, a tambourine.... it's sounding pretty good.
And then, this morning, a friend online says, "I thought you were releasing purely acoustic songs right now."
I muted all the extra stuff and thought, "Damn... this sounds good and is almost complete. Finish it today." And so... vocals to be recorded with a deadline of this afternoon. Mix and release on the weekend. Sorry about the novella. It was a long way to say, I appreciate your advice.
Thank you. I've been staring at this painting for a week now and it's done.... except her nose. It just needs... but I don't know how to... thank you for helping me understand that it can be finished, even though it isn't better. Maybe the better will be in the next painting!
The ibis is a synchronicity moment for me. This may be a key video in progressing my life forward. I'm glad it was included!
Your productivity videos are so kind. I appreciate that.
I get so much joy adding this to my Watch Later playlist every time I see it.
Finding this channel has made me feel like I have just been on youtube FOR YEARS actually looking for it without knowing what it was. I love your way of creating content man
The "write a bad book first" is such fantastic advice. I've been writing short stories since middle school but never really finished any because I just lost motivation, ideas, or plain thought they would be bad. Now my goal is that even if it's horrendously cliche or full of plot holes or poorly written I'm writing one story that is 100,000 words (novel length). I'm at 43,000 words now which is 5 times farther than I've ever gotten. Will I ever publish this book? Maybe. The important thing is that I want to finish the story. The strange thing is that by taking the pressure off to write an original masterpiece I'm actually really happy with my writing for a first draft.
Wow, I just had a flash back of my life when you said "it was just long that i got bored". I was just looking for a great video on youtube (actually i was procrastinating again, yeah) and algorithms offered me this pure "get your life straight " lesson. Thanks a lot, I'll try to apply every single piece of advice you gave there. And at this point, you're the big bro I never had, cheers for the best 🔥
affection by achievement is something ive witnessed and experienced a lot of. we are taught we are only good enough by producing some form of observable result. not enough time was spent on rewarding us for being good people and especially for taking the time to care for ourselves. instead we are expected to keep busy and producing.
i'm scouring the whole internet and forum to find the way to finish projects,
and i can't find anything good.
to my suprise, your video hit to the heart of the problem, dissect it, and offers a couple of great advices
I rarely leave comments on videos but your channel has been insane in helping me understand creativity and my own mind! Youre such a joy to listen to and I feel so energised by your videos. Also good to see another Aussie! : )
The end was everything, this is what i need i have lots of unfinished choreografies that i love but i cant finish for some reason, thank you ❤
How awesome is this video! An important word mentioned it's a marathon. Need to invest the time to get the result too.
Never stop continuously making art work like whose amazing video content forms struthless, much love from FX from Austria. You will be colossal on YT if you need grinding and never stop creating “content”
thank you! You have made being creative feel so much more figure-outable. Whenever I feel creatively stuck I watch one of your videos - muchos gracias!
Thank you for talking about shameful habits in such a kind way. All the videos I've watched about this topic was like "you are being lazy, you need to organize yourself, loser" but you address those things with kindness. Thank you
Your story telling is chefs kiss! I honour your honesty and relatable creative content that has always brought a giggle or tear to my face. I very much enjoy all the many different videos you’ve created over the years. Thank You! What a beautiful ending to a story that never really ends…
Thank you so much for putting this into words! I am so bad at finishing projects and I didn't know that it's very common to go through that "I hate it, it's a mess, I'm almost there but it's not worth it anymore, I want to burn it all down"-phase. I'm slowly learning that even if I don't put my all in that last phase, it's still better than not finishing it at all. I'll still learn something I can apply in the next project I'm so eager to start.
The little story at the end brought tears to my eyes :,)
Perfectly timed for my birthday and the thoughts of...well, it's perfectly timed. I'm revising and resetting goals for myself for this new year. Thanks!
Today is the first day I have ever seen any of your content. I have now somehow watched 10 if your videos straight and even taken notes on all of the topics. Thank you so much for this! I feel like I am taking a mini course on how to improve as a person. This kind of content is so needed in the world!
Your videos are the most valuable thing I've found on the internet. I know that sounds overblown, but I've seen so many videos and articles about how hard life is for people, the country I live in, and the world. How everything is doomed and life is suffering etc. etc. None of them offer helpful, actionable steps to make it better. Your videos always offer something that leaves a positive impact. You're real and relatable and you've been through it, and that helps me realize I can come out the other side feeling alright. Thank you so much.
I really appreciated the reminder about getting into the flow state.
I experienced it a lot in my first career as a teacher: there was always something more to do which bothered my perfectionist brain, but on longer tasks I could get absorbed by the rhythm of the process.
Now I have chronic fatigue and most of my days are spent very carefully, doing the bare minimum to keep my housework manageable and doing a bit of movement and meditation, things I know will aid my recovery.
There are plenty of creative things I enjoy doing (singing, playing music, journalling, writing poetry), but I spend very little of my time and energy on those things.
It just hit me that by not doing them I'm depriving myself of experiencing the flow state as often as I could.
I'm going to try using getting into the flow state as one of my purposes for doing those things more often.
It will be worth the effort to do these activities that I know are nourishing to my mind and spirit.
Thanks Cam!
The best video I’ve ever seen on procrastination. Thanks man, you rock! Gonna go make some progress on my unfinished animation now…
never in my life would i have thought that youtube videos could push me as hard as yours do....
sincerely,
thank you ♥
I've only watched 2 of your videos and found that your content SO GOOD with actionable material. You are now my 2nd favorite YT channel! My first favorite being Matt D'Avella's. Well done MATE!
hey Struth, I'd love a video where you document the process of going from a blank sheet of paper to a finished garment. Making clothing seems really interesting and your portfolio is really inspiring!
“The Flow State” is a lot like Krashen’s i+1 principle. It’s a hypothesis that says learning is most effective when you meet a student at their current level and then add one level of difficulty. The “i” stands for input and the “+1” is the extra level of difficult. I learned about this during my teaching philosophy courses in college (I’m a certified French/Spanish teacher).
I'm going through this exact process. A few years ago now, I was focusing on pure output, starting with cranking out ink drawings for Inktober and trying to update my Instagram with SOMETHING, and there is no through-line with any of it, because I want to do everything! Currently I'm working on reference drawings I can come back to a bit at a time, and hopefully it will add up to a more developed drawing than all those one-offs.
I just binged a few of your videos and I constantly hear you say that you aren't an expert, but I feel that you are. You're an expert by experience, especially for those who have had similar experiences to you. ❤ Thank you!
Wow I watched hundreds of videos about procrastination but this one would be the only one I need ❤ the idea of writing a bad book is wonderful. And practicing finish something is priceless. Thanks a lot for this input.
This is my absolute favorite of all your videos, and I love so many of them. You managed to talk about everything of what I’ve learned about the subject in my own experience and teach even more - and organize it in a way that makes moving forward feel possible, inspiring, and necessary. Thank you mate!
You have no idea how much I needed this today, thank you! 🥰
3:15 "The more you finish projects, the more projects you finish in the future. The reason? It's because finishing is just another skill." Wow!
Thank you, you’re really helping me getting through a tough phase in life right now!
Keep on doing what you doing!
This video is so perfectly timed in terms of what I’ve been experiencing lately surrounding notions of perfectionism and general output. I’m 26 and left my job to finally study graphic design after years of being too scared to put myself out there creatively (despite feeling as though I had a huge pool of creative ideas that I always wanted to draw upon). I just handed in my first ever assessment for a class and it was HARD. Just the process of getting it done felt like a massive slog and there were so many times where I felt hopeless/wanted to give up/was circling through the five stages of grief, so to speak (lmao) but I managed to push through, enter that flow state and actually generate something I totally didn’t expect and was proud of! So much so that I actually cried happy tears after I finished. It’s been years since I’ve seen something through like this so it was really huge for me. A lot of what you shared deeply resonates with me more generally but it feels especially poignant in this experience I’ve just had with study. I spoke about this with a friend of mine who explained that this flow state is mentioned in a book called The Artist’s Way. It’s another way to describe your ego stepping aside to let creative ideas through, unmarred by judgement. It’s crazy what can happen when you finally let it. Love your work, Cam. Thanks for another excellent video!!!
I notice you’ve changed your style up a little bit; got some new animations and stylized text in there, and I just want to say I am absolutely digging it. The content of this video is gold - as always - but it was really visually interesting to watch, too. I have ADHD, and my mind often wanders, especially during a 13 minute video, so I kinda rely on good visuals alongside the audio to anchor my attention, and this video absolutely nailed it. Good work, man ❤️
I won’t lie, the second I saw the title I exclaimed (out loud, my family looked over) “OH NO, A DIRECT ATTACK ON ME!” 😅