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.
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.
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!
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.
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
I have seen this a lot with music. As a piano teacher, I started using a lot of movement and singing in lessons (instead of talking about "music theory" all the time). I found that students very quickly found more flow in these kinds of lessons. We were actually making music instead of just talking about it. The curiosity and confidence they built led to them figuring pieces out by ear very naturally.
Ah I love that connection Rachel, and sounds like you have some pretty lucky students! That's one frustrating thing with the school system, how it prioritizes theory over getting into flow, even a state of love.
Appreciate you being here and adding to the conversation :)
This resonates so much—it's so easy to stay safe in our heads and wait until we're ready, but the true path to learning requires getting our hands dirty.
Reminds me of the process of myelination that occurs in the brain with deep, effortful practice. I wrote a short piece on it here if you're curious to dive into the neuroscience behind this: https://bit.ly/wrestlingwiththedivine
Ah I love that Rachel. Appreciate you reading & leaving such a thoughtful reflection. I hadn't thought of the neuroscience behind it but I'll check your post out. Thank you for sharing!
Writing is one of the skills that doesn't come up with an instruction manual (unlike photography, painting, drawing, building a house). We can only learn it by doing. It's wonderful that you were able to take this "doing > knowledge" order to other areas of your life.
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.
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 (:
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 :)
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!
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 (:
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!
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.
I have seen this a lot with music. As a piano teacher, I started using a lot of movement and singing in lessons (instead of talking about "music theory" all the time). I found that students very quickly found more flow in these kinds of lessons. We were actually making music instead of just talking about it. The curiosity and confidence they built led to them figuring pieces out by ear very naturally.
Ah I love that connection Rachel, and sounds like you have some pretty lucky students! That's one frustrating thing with the school system, how it prioritizes theory over getting into flow, even a state of love.
Appreciate you being here and adding to the conversation :)
In many ways, doing is the only form of learning
Ah I love that Bee. Thank you for reading :)
"The difficulty is why I trust it." Fire.
Thanks Emily, this brought a big smile to my face :)
This resonates so much—it's so easy to stay safe in our heads and wait until we're ready, but the true path to learning requires getting our hands dirty.
Reminds me of the process of myelination that occurs in the brain with deep, effortful practice. I wrote a short piece on it here if you're curious to dive into the neuroscience behind this: https://bit.ly/wrestlingwiththedivine
Ah I love that Rachel. Appreciate you reading & leaving such a thoughtful reflection. I hadn't thought of the neuroscience behind it but I'll check your post out. Thank you for sharing!
Writing is one of the skills that doesn't come up with an instruction manual (unlike photography, painting, drawing, building a house). We can only learn it by doing. It's wonderful that you were able to take this "doing > knowledge" order to other areas of your life.
Ah I love that Becky. Thank you for reading & such an insightful reflection here. Appreciate you reading :)
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
As Nike said in 1988 - JUST DO IT ! Excellent advice.
Love it Monica! So true :)
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 :)