Photo:By Jennifer Trovato
The two biggest mistakes artists make are on the opposite ends of the spectrum: Showing your work too early or never showing it at all.
The problem with the former is if we let others give their opinions before weâve done enough self-revision then itâs difficult to keep the momentum going and itâs an unfair representation of your project â no architect asks people what they think about a building before the walls have been put up and no baker wants an opinion on their cake before they put it in the oven. And the problem with the latter, of course, is that if youâre working on something then at some point should probably show it to someone.
To make sure you donât fall into either of these traps, follow the 80% rule. This simply means that when you are confident youâre about 80% done with your project ,then itâs time to show your work, whether it's to get someone elseâs opinion, or simply to validate that you've made something.
At about 80% completed, it means there is a significant amount of improvement that must still go into it before you can consider it a truly finished thing.There is still much to do, but the idea is completely there. Maybe the windows havenât been installed and it hasnât been painted and the insides still need a ton of work, but the walls are up. Whoever you show it to has a clear vision of at least what youâre shooting for.
Or think of it in terms of high school. An 80% is a B minus.
No one really brags about a B minus ,but you wouldnât hide it away in your book bag either. Usually the first thing you think when you see a B Minus is, âPhew, at least itâs not a C.â And that is what youâre aiming for â something that has made the cut and now needs that final big push to really become that ideal thing.
Donât keep tinkering and working until youâve produced that perfect, completed thing. Youâll drive yourself mad and either wonât finish or will still be dissatisfied with the final product. But donât be in a rush to show off your work either.
If you feel youâre working on a great idea, it needs your attention and nurturing and time. Your audience will realize it was worth the wait.
Photo:By Jennifer Trovato
The two biggest mistakes artists make are on the opposite ends of the spectrum: Showing your work too early or never showing it at all.
The problem with the former is if we let others give their opinions before weâve done enough self-revision then itâs difficult to keep the momentum going and itâs an unfair representation of your project â no architect asks people what they think about a building before the walls have been put up and no baker wants an opinion on their cake before they put it in the oven. And the problem with the latter, of course, is that if youâre working on something then at some point should probably show it to someone.
To make sure you donât fall into either of these traps, follow the 80% rule. This simply means that when you are confident youâre about 80% done with your project ,then itâs time to show your work, whether it's to get someone elseâs opinion, or simply to validate that you've made something.
At about 80% completed, it means there is a significant amount of improvement that must still go into it before you can consider it a truly finished thing.There is still much to do, but the idea is completely there. Maybe the windows havenât been installed and it hasnât been painted and the insides still need a ton of work, but the walls are up. Whoever you show it to has a clear vision of at least what youâre shooting for.
Or think of it in terms of high school. An 80% is a B minus.
No one really brags about a B minus ,but you wouldnât hide it away in your book bag either. Usually the first thing you think when you see a B Minus is, âPhew, at least itâs not a C.â And that is what youâre aiming for â something that has made the cut and now needs that final big push to really become that ideal thing.
Donât keep tinkering and working until youâve produced that perfect, completed thing. Youâll drive yourself mad and either wonât finish or will still be dissatisfied with the final product. But donât be in a rush to show off your work either.
If you feel youâre working on a great idea, it needs your attention and nurturing and time. Your audience will realize it was worth the wait.