P09 · Learning and Mastery
Creative block and perfectionism
Overcoming the blank page, perfectionistic paralysis and creative dry spells.
Cues
Showing 5 of 5 cues
“Thus instead of supposing that a work of art must be something that all can behold - a poem, a painting, a book, a great building - consider making of your own life a work of art. You have yourself to begin with, and a time of uncertain duration to work on it. You do not have to be what you are, and even though you may be quite content with who and what you are, it will not be hard for you to think of something much greater that you might become.”
“Directions cannot be given for achieving personal excellence, because we are all different. The gifts and potentialities of one person are not those of another. Indeed, each person is unique. His or her gifts and abilities are probably not exactly matched by anyone else on earth. And from this it follows that one person’s excellence is his or hers alone. No one can tell you how to achieve yours.”
Nietzsche's apprentice storyteller
Nietzsche describes the would-be short-story writer who starts as a nobody, composes anecdotes daily and becomes an ardent observer of human psychology, labouring for years before showing his work.
“To “give style” to one’s character - a great and rare art. It is practiced by those who survey all the strengths and weaknesses of their nature and then fit them into an artistic plan until every one of them appears as art and reason and even weaknesses delight the eye.”
“For all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.”