I’ve always believed that acting on your curiosity brings far more results, knowledge, and experiences than just sitting with theory. That doesn’t mean theory isn’t important, but if you’re curious enough, you’ll learn more by doing than by just thinking about it.
Great message. I’ve always found that action extinguishes doubt in a way that theoretical learning never could. The incentive we develop by doing creates that intimate relationship between us and craft, and that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day! Appreciate this essay. Thanks, Tommy.
Thank you for reading man and writing such a perceptive reflection here. "The incentive we develop by doing creates that intimate relationship between us and craft". Wow. Love it!
Thank you Tommy, this is really inspirational! I'm in the process of pursuing something that I'm passionate about, but continue to have self doubts because I keep comparing myself, and my work, to the people who are acknowledged experts in the field. All it does is slow me down and discourage me from just putting it out there and be willing to absorb the perceived slings and arrows that come with trial and error and learning to be proficient in anything new. I know it all boils down to doing the work, the little things consistently day in and day out, and having the confidence to keep pushing forward. There is truly nothing more rewarding that learning a new skill, no matter the level proficiency achieved, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. Now I have to get back to work!
Thank you for reading Riley and writing such a beautiful reflection here. I really resonate with the outrageous slings and arrows of comparison. You're not alone at all there. And so right on just falling in love with the pure process of learning, the individual pursuit, day in and day out.
Love this and love your writing but I can't afford to be a paid subscriber at the moment. Would you consider creating a 'Buy Me a Coffee' account, so I can contribute in a smaller way? https://buymeacoffee.com/
Loved this one! Totally agree. Much in line with the spirit of the fool idea -- just get into action. know you'll look silly at first, keep going, one day you wake up and you can do the thing better than you ever imagined.
All of the photographs on my ownSubstack are originals, taken by my litle ol' iphone 11 Pro. And they're damn good, even if I say so myself. I learned alot abot what pleases my eye and how to "make it so"just by shooting.
Great article, this reminds me of one of my favorite but little known books:
"Secrets of a Buccaneer-Scholar: How Self-Education and the Pursuit of Passion Can Lead to a Lifetime of Success"
When you are starting out you don't even know what you need to know, I like to learn the minimal viable information to get started and then dig deeper into the areas I need to once I know what I need to know.
Love the “save a bunch of articles to “read later”’ line - that made me laugh hahah so relatable. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one doing that (although anytime you think you’re the only one that feels a certain way or has a funny habit like that, 99.9% of the time you’re undeniably wrong as we’re all human)
I also have been getting more into photography! I bought a used camera for $100 off of facebook marketplace about 4 years ago, and although I still take most of my photos on my phone, there’s something about the vibe of the camera photos that feels more grounded if you get what I mean hahaha. I also have a bunch of videos saved about photography that never get watched, but you’re right, its much more fun figuring it out on your own and developing your own relationship with it rather than imitating someone else’s. I love all the photos you share btw keep ‘em’ coming.
Haha thank you Rachel, and I appreciate you reading & being here :)
It's funny how the individual is a gateway to the universal. How we're alike in all thinking we're unique.
And it's awesome you're leaning into photography. Phone cameras are excellent nowadays but can't match the detached, analog experience of a camera, in my opinion.
Really appreciate this article and the way you put this out: "Learning is downstream of doing". Real & true Learning happens as a result of taking action and engaging in practical experience rather than just consuming theoretical knowledge.
I just discovered your substack and just want to say your writing is beautiful and absorbing. I appreciate the way you frame your ideas. Humans were built to play but we find ourselves so afraid of being watched that we become watchers ourselves instead of the ones playing, experimenting, screwing up, living, the ones having fun.
Thank you macs, really appreciate you reading and taking the time to leave such a kind note. Brightened by day.
Your words remind me of a quote I once read about how singing and dancing were once part of being human but now it's been professionalized and we leave it to the "experts" to our own dismay.
Yes, I think of that quote often! Such a shame to feel that in order to participate and find joy in activity that you should first earn it or make yourself worthy somehow. I recently adopted this mantra inspired by a similar sentiment that being alive is about doing, not getting. Forever trying to cultivate a predisposition toward action rather than acquisition. Like serving the craft rather than trying to make the craft serve you
Omg, I kept rereading it. I'll make sure again when I feel overwhelmed by the amount of information that is available. TYSM for putting it in this beautiful way. This article motivated me to keep doing the work. Go out and do practical stuff more, get your hands dirty. lovely :))
I’ve always believed that acting on your curiosity brings far more results, knowledge, and experiences than just sitting with theory. That doesn’t mean theory isn’t important, but if you’re curious enough, you’ll learn more by doing than by just thinking about it.
Ah I love that Rajjath "acting on your curiosity". Thank you for reading & the insightful note here (:
Great message. I’ve always found that action extinguishes doubt in a way that theoretical learning never could. The incentive we develop by doing creates that intimate relationship between us and craft, and that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day! Appreciate this essay. Thanks, Tommy.
Thank you for reading man and writing such a perceptive reflection here. "The incentive we develop by doing creates that intimate relationship between us and craft". Wow. Love it!
Thank you Tommy, this is really inspirational! I'm in the process of pursuing something that I'm passionate about, but continue to have self doubts because I keep comparing myself, and my work, to the people who are acknowledged experts in the field. All it does is slow me down and discourage me from just putting it out there and be willing to absorb the perceived slings and arrows that come with trial and error and learning to be proficient in anything new. I know it all boils down to doing the work, the little things consistently day in and day out, and having the confidence to keep pushing forward. There is truly nothing more rewarding that learning a new skill, no matter the level proficiency achieved, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. Now I have to get back to work!
Thank you for reading Riley and writing such a beautiful reflection here. I really resonate with the outrageous slings and arrows of comparison. You're not alone at all there. And so right on just falling in love with the pure process of learning, the individual pursuit, day in and day out.
Appreciate you being here :)
Love this and love your writing but I can't afford to be a paid subscriber at the moment. Would you consider creating a 'Buy Me a Coffee' account, so I can contribute in a smaller way? https://buymeacoffee.com/
Thank you for reading & the kind words. Funny enough I do have an account but forgot to link it: https://buymeacoffee.com/tommydixon
Appreciate all your support!
Loved this one! Totally agree. Much in line with the spirit of the fool idea -- just get into action. know you'll look silly at first, keep going, one day you wake up and you can do the thing better than you ever imagined.
Thank you Jeremy! I was thinking in line with that idea "the fool is the precursor to the master". Appreciate your presence here my friend (:
Love the perspective of making " the learning of a new skill" a joy rather than a chore that may feel difficult and overwhelming. 💕
Thank you Grace :) appreciate you reading and the kind words here
Bravo, Tommy. An awesome message for us all.
All of the photographs on my ownSubstack are originals, taken by my litle ol' iphone 11 Pro. And they're damn good, even if I say so myself. I learned alot abot what pleases my eye and how to "make it so"just by shooting.
Thank you Amba :) brought a warm smile to my face to see your name here.
Funny enough, I thought of you while composing this piece. Just deciding to create a poetry collection all with your own photography!
Great article, this reminds me of one of my favorite but little known books:
"Secrets of a Buccaneer-Scholar: How Self-Education and the Pursuit of Passion Can Lead to a Lifetime of Success"
When you are starting out you don't even know what you need to know, I like to learn the minimal viable information to get started and then dig deeper into the areas I need to once I know what I need to know.
Thank you for reading Drake and the insightful reflection here. I love that idea of minimum viable information. I'll have to check out the book!
Appreciate you being here :)
Love the “save a bunch of articles to “read later”’ line - that made me laugh hahah so relatable. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one doing that (although anytime you think you’re the only one that feels a certain way or has a funny habit like that, 99.9% of the time you’re undeniably wrong as we’re all human)
I also have been getting more into photography! I bought a used camera for $100 off of facebook marketplace about 4 years ago, and although I still take most of my photos on my phone, there’s something about the vibe of the camera photos that feels more grounded if you get what I mean hahaha. I also have a bunch of videos saved about photography that never get watched, but you’re right, its much more fun figuring it out on your own and developing your own relationship with it rather than imitating someone else’s. I love all the photos you share btw keep ‘em’ coming.
Haha thank you Rachel, and I appreciate you reading & being here :)
It's funny how the individual is a gateway to the universal. How we're alike in all thinking we're unique.
And it's awesome you're leaning into photography. Phone cameras are excellent nowadays but can't match the detached, analog experience of a camera, in my opinion.
Wow. Wow. Wow. This was soooo good. So many notes taken. Haven’t been inspired like this in a long time. Thank you!
So happy to hear Linda (: thank you for reading
Really appreciate this article and the way you put this out: "Learning is downstream of doing". Real & true Learning happens as a result of taking action and engaging in practical experience rather than just consuming theoretical knowledge.
Thank you Bharat (: appreciate you reading & so happy it resonates
Reading this on the train on my way to buy my first digital camera 😂🤞🏼
Heck ya :)
Beautifully written! Loved "learning is downstream of doing"
Thank you Saurav (: appreciate you reading
I just discovered your substack and just want to say your writing is beautiful and absorbing. I appreciate the way you frame your ideas. Humans were built to play but we find ourselves so afraid of being watched that we become watchers ourselves instead of the ones playing, experimenting, screwing up, living, the ones having fun.
Thank you macs, really appreciate you reading and taking the time to leave such a kind note. Brightened by day.
Your words remind me of a quote I once read about how singing and dancing were once part of being human but now it's been professionalized and we leave it to the "experts" to our own dismay.
Yes, I think of that quote often! Such a shame to feel that in order to participate and find joy in activity that you should first earn it or make yourself worthy somehow. I recently adopted this mantra inspired by a similar sentiment that being alive is about doing, not getting. Forever trying to cultivate a predisposition toward action rather than acquisition. Like serving the craft rather than trying to make the craft serve you
Margaret Atwood once mentioned the exact same words, “You get better at writing by writing.” That’s really it!
Ha that's funny Zulkifl, but I'm glad someone as prolific and profound as her thinks the same way. It's the boring truth.
Appreciate you reading (:
It was reinvigorating read for someone who has shelved her writing passion! I hope to start soon.
Omg, I kept rereading it. I'll make sure again when I feel overwhelmed by the amount of information that is available. TYSM for putting it in this beautiful way. This article motivated me to keep doing the work. Go out and do practical stuff more, get your hands dirty. lovely :))
Haha thank you Gaytari. Really appreciate you reading and the kind words. Brought a big smile to my face (: