More Thoughts On the 'Least Dumb Thought'

I shared a quote by Austin Kleon in my previous blog post. Now, I decided to share some more of my thoughts. Hear me out.

Sometimes all we need is just a quote. When I was starting to write blog posts in this blog, I’d burn more time deciding what to write about and share. Though I was writing for myself - to learn, to engage with ideas I’m stumbling upon- the thought that someone might read what I’ve written scares me. It’s petrifying. It feels like being naked.

Then I’ve read the quote. Let me paste it again here for you.

“Make note of every dumb thought that occurs to you throughout the day. Tomorrow morning pick the thought you think is the least dumb and write more about it.”

It changes the focus from writing about something that will fascinate readers to writing something that fascinates you. For amateurs, it makes all the difference. Writing about your fascinations – whether somebody cares or not – gives you confidence to just keep doing it. And it’s true even in any form of creative endeavor.

A least dumb idea is still an idea. And it’s an idea you’ve encountered that you’re trying to make sense with. Articulating it and connecting it with familiar territories inside your mind is the second best way to engage with it. The first, of course, is actually using or applying it.

I remember the story of how Jack Canfield wrote his first book. No, it was not Chicken Soup for the Soul.

When he was still a high school teacher, Jack thought that he was terrible at teaching because his students didn’t seem interested in his lectures. Then later he realized that it was because his ”students didn’t believe that they could learn.” So he started reading topics on self-esteem.

But there was a problem. Jack couldn’t find the book that he wanted to buy and read.

He said,

“I never found the book that I wanted to buy. And I remember one of my professors said to me: If you can’t find the book you’re looking for, you’re supposed to write it.”

And so he did. 100 Ways to Enhance Self Esteem in the Classroom later then sold 400,000 copies worldwide.

Jack Canfield’s story exemplifies the power of following our curiosity. Writing about something he wanted to learn, he would still be fine even if it ended up not pleasing other people - because he satisfied his curiosity.

“Please don’t try to help me.” Elizabeth Gilbert wrote in her book Big Magic. “I mean, it is very kind of you to want to help people, but please don’t make it your sole creative motive, because we will feel the weight of your heavy intention, and it will put a strain upon our souls.”

Elizabeth wrote her best-selling book Eat Pray Love to save herself.

“All I was trying to do with that book was figure myself out. In the process, though, I wrote a story that apparently helped a lot of other people figure themselves out – but that was never my intention.”

When you find yourself pleasing others first before yourself when you’re making your art, you may consider taking a pause and reflecting about your intention - because you might not live up to your self-imposed standards from mind-reading what others will approve of. What’s worse is that you might end up abandoning what you used to love.

P.S. Here is where I learned Jack Canfield's story.

https://bit.ly/3zeE5uj