I am definitely no expert on the subject but "Yes, and.....?" sounds a bit like what was described to me at school as the "Socratic" method of questioning. A useful tool - especially when you're pretty sure the person hasn't thought through their argument.
A rather blunt-speaking former manager at a company I worked for used to use "so f*$%king what?" if someone suggested a new product feature to him without explaining how the new feature was an improved version of the current one, how it would benefit the customer and the cost implication would be to us and the customer. Most learned not to make suggestions without thinking the impact / implications through, fully.
I have two mantras. The first is "some days you're the bug and others you're the windscreen". The second is something from a film called "Bridge of Spies". Mark Rylance's character used the question "will it make a difference" when Tom Hanks' character is surprised why he isn't panicking / getting upset when something isn't going to plan. Rylance's character is very stoic in the face of challenges. I try but I don't always manage it...
It’s interesting, particularly about the Socratic method, because my first thought is that all that questioning is not very “yes, and.” But upon further reflection, I see your point. It’s the active participation that builds the idea.
Love this! And the success shows in all of your new endeavors. “Launch before you’re ready” is another great one I’ve heard.
As for my mantra, I have two. For a long time it was - illegitimate non carborundum “don’t let the bastards get you down” 😊
But somewhere in the last year another one materialized - “the common denominator is you.” Meaning all things are born from you and everything else is auxiliary.
I love that. The common denominator IS you. Like the saying about if everywhere you go you think everyone you encounter is an asshole, it’s likely in fact you’re the asshole. Not quite as eloquent as your way of saying it. 😬
Some folks use their perfectionism, deliberately or subconsciously, as a way of stalling. Fear of failure, perhaps? Fear of rejection? Maybe just fear of not being good? <----- This is me. I'll try the Yes, and..., but I probably will get paralyzed before I start.
I will say, it’s been very difficult to get past it. I essentially find myself saying “I’m not sure this is very good but I’m showing it anyway.” Which is not the kind of guts I’m gifted with.
It helps, too, if you have a sort of mid-life crisis that inspires you to stop wasting time and start doing things.
Thank you for this very timely reminder. I struggle daily with perfectionism of the very sort that you describe. I retreat into planning at the expense of doing. I know this about myself, but it requires constant attention to correct. It's funny, the Nike slogan "Just Do It" popped into my head several paragraphs before you mentioned it.
"In fact, people like me use planning and refining as an impediment to actually making and doing." Me too. I think it's fear bullying my curiosity. Let's follow our foot right out of there.
.. will give this another more effective read later today thanks .. real good stuff - especially re setting characters free - very well expressed ! My very first such ‘character was & remains - Jimmy ‘Diamond’ Walker from Vancouver Island.. & that was in 1976
Aside from my ‘Spec Documentary, Educational & Children’s TV endeavours - ‘Jimmy Walker’ & his dog ‘Quinn may interest you & validate Stephen King’s suggestion re setting a Character loose. Had never really thought about it much - yet recognized what was happening over the years of writing fiction
But am also very intrigued re the ‘improv’ aspects ! Oddly enuff, your post also ‘connects how much ‘allowing opportunity & room for Improv’ is impacting my current cinematic Fiction Writing - this when I’m also wearing my Director’s & Producer’s ‘hats - plus DOP considerations haha ! There’s a sort of ‘freedom or ‘relief has come with recognizing & opening up to Improv ..
There’s a side of your Business you may be overlooking - re your Intensive Prep & Execution - will present that ‘perspective later - as well ! Not all Clients may agree of course - yet a number of mine embraced the idea - and recognized the approach as Added Value 🦎🏴☠️🎬
I am definitely no expert on the subject but "Yes, and.....?" sounds a bit like what was described to me at school as the "Socratic" method of questioning. A useful tool - especially when you're pretty sure the person hasn't thought through their argument.
A rather blunt-speaking former manager at a company I worked for used to use "so f*$%king what?" if someone suggested a new product feature to him without explaining how the new feature was an improved version of the current one, how it would benefit the customer and the cost implication would be to us and the customer. Most learned not to make suggestions without thinking the impact / implications through, fully.
I have two mantras. The first is "some days you're the bug and others you're the windscreen". The second is something from a film called "Bridge of Spies". Mark Rylance's character used the question "will it make a difference" when Tom Hanks' character is surprised why he isn't panicking / getting upset when something isn't going to plan. Rylance's character is very stoic in the face of challenges. I try but I don't always manage it...
It’s interesting, particularly about the Socratic method, because my first thought is that all that questioning is not very “yes, and.” But upon further reflection, I see your point. It’s the active participation that builds the idea.
Love this! And the success shows in all of your new endeavors. “Launch before you’re ready” is another great one I’ve heard.
As for my mantra, I have two. For a long time it was - illegitimate non carborundum “don’t let the bastards get you down” 😊
But somewhere in the last year another one materialized - “the common denominator is you.” Meaning all things are born from you and everything else is auxiliary.
I love that. The common denominator IS you. Like the saying about if everywhere you go you think everyone you encounter is an asshole, it’s likely in fact you’re the asshole. Not quite as eloquent as your way of saying it. 😬
You know I gotta chime in with a "like" on this one!
Ladies and gentlemen, my improv scene partner from so long ago, the inimitable Thomas Crone.
Bill Chott's coursework made my life better. No higher compliment can I give.
Mine too! Aside from the joy it brought me in the moment, I genuinely believe it rewired something inside me.
My creative mantra: shoot what you love, with what you love, on what you love.
Some folks use their perfectionism, deliberately or subconsciously, as a way of stalling. Fear of failure, perhaps? Fear of rejection? Maybe just fear of not being good? <----- This is me. I'll try the Yes, and..., but I probably will get paralyzed before I start.
I will say, it’s been very difficult to get past it. I essentially find myself saying “I’m not sure this is very good but I’m showing it anyway.” Which is not the kind of guts I’m gifted with.
It helps, too, if you have a sort of mid-life crisis that inspires you to stop wasting time and start doing things.
Thank you for this very timely reminder. I struggle daily with perfectionism of the very sort that you describe. I retreat into planning at the expense of doing. I know this about myself, but it requires constant attention to correct. It's funny, the Nike slogan "Just Do It" popped into my head several paragraphs before you mentioned it.
I’m embarrassed by how much I genuinely believe Just Do It to be at the crux of everything.
A late friend of mine was fond of the saying “leap and the net will appear.”
Beautiful!
"In fact, people like me use planning and refining as an impediment to actually making and doing." Me too. I think it's fear bullying my curiosity. Let's follow our foot right out of there.
Fear is a big one.
.. will give this another more effective read later today thanks .. real good stuff - especially re setting characters free - very well expressed ! My very first such ‘character was & remains - Jimmy ‘Diamond’ Walker from Vancouver Island.. & that was in 1976
Aside from my ‘Spec Documentary, Educational & Children’s TV endeavours - ‘Jimmy Walker’ & his dog ‘Quinn may interest you & validate Stephen King’s suggestion re setting a Character loose. Had never really thought about it much - yet recognized what was happening over the years of writing fiction
But am also very intrigued re the ‘improv’ aspects ! Oddly enuff, your post also ‘connects how much ‘allowing opportunity & room for Improv’ is impacting my current cinematic Fiction Writing - this when I’m also wearing my Director’s & Producer’s ‘hats - plus DOP considerations haha ! There’s a sort of ‘freedom or ‘relief has come with recognizing & opening up to Improv ..
There’s a side of your Business you may be overlooking - re your Intensive Prep & Execution - will present that ‘perspective later - as well ! Not all Clients may agree of course - yet a number of mine embraced the idea - and recognized the approach as Added Value 🦎🏴☠️🎬