Work vs. Content

There is no such thing as "pottery block".

At times, there might be times when you are paralyzed by indecision. That can be what to do next or what to create. Many times, there might not be any clear direction, so you may just need to be brave and just start. I have written a lot of posts and also have made loads of pots. I would not have the writing material if I did not make the pots, though. If so I would need to rename the whole Substack here, “The Something Whenever”. When I’m lost in the weeds, I need to go back to myself and create with my hands rather than just create content.

It might be that meaningful creation is more meaningful and has more purpose than just creating content. Content creators create until they have enough content. Then they might move on to other things or simply stop when some goal is met. Content, in my opinion, is mostly filler and maybe not something that has value and purpose other than to get clicks, views, and maybe a few sales. At times I might get lost in the content, thinking that it is the work rather than the pots. When this happens, I try to do a reset. A reset back to myself and back to physically creating and making art rather than simply creating content about it.

The writer and business thinker Seth Godin says there is no such thing as writer’s block, just the fear of writing poorly. I never got a paper-making block when I showed up at work to make rolls of paper towels. I do not know of any mechanic who got an oil change block when I bring my car in to be serviced, so why would I then get a mental block about the pots? Most of that is fear of making bad pots and fighting Resistance, rather than just starting and seeing where things go. Even writers have a rough draft.

So today I need to go make work rather than just content. I need to just start and see where things might go and create something that matters for a few people who care, then come back and write about it and repeat the process. Maybe I’ll get lucky if the people for whom I make the work for enjoy it enough to pay me. How lucky I am to have the ability to create real work that matters rather than just content. How lucky I am to write for myself and one other person.

If I were living yesterday a second time: I would have gone straight to the studio after my coffee instead of spending an hour creating content about making pots.

Things I am grateful for: The distinction between work and content. Seth Godin for naming the fear that masquerades as writer’s block.

Days remaining if I live to 86: 12,769

Are you making work or just making content about the work you’re not making?

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