I don’t usually (well actually ever) embed YouTube videos, but I’m going to make an exception here. So please watch this, it’s only 181 seconds long:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYlCVwxoL_g[/youtube]
For those who are slacking off from work and can’t listen to it, here is a transcription. For those who have short attention spans, here are a few choice quotes:
“This is an invocation for those who have yet to begin.”
“Let me realize that my past failures at follow-through are no indication of my future performance.”
“Perfectionism may look good in his shiny shoes, but he’s a little bit of an asshole and no one invites him to their pool parties.”
“There is no need to sharpen my pencils anymore. My pencils are sharp enough. Even the dull ones can make a mark.”
Today’s Honorary Ex-Velleitier award goes to Ze Frank. Bravo.
Ze who?
I know very little about this guy, so I can’t give you any more of a biography than what is on his Wikipedia page. I only know about this video because a friend told me that I really should watch it. And she was very right: it’s a collection of words and statements that I wish I could have said. That I’ve tried to say. Or that I have said, but in very different ways. (Except for that bit about the cheese monster; I’m still trying to figure that part out.)
Just enjoy it for what it is for now
I’m trying to avoid the feelings of unoriginality that come with finding someone else taking on the same work that you’re taking on. I’m also trying to avoid feelings of envy that come when someone successfully conveys a feeling or idea in a way that’s more compelling than anything you feel like you could ever accomplish.
These are important feelings to unpack, and indeed I will, but for now, let’s not let the reactions get in the way of what is at heart a very beautiful idea, conveyed very creatively and well. There will always be time for discussion later. Enjoy.
But enough about me. Have you found someone else speaking your message?
