One year ago today, I started Happenchance: Creative Techniques for Creative People. After three designs, a couple disasters, and a lot of back-of-the-envelope brainstorming, I feel like I’ve built a rockin’ resource for people who create things great and small. My reasons for starting the blog shall remain shrouded in mystery, but just know that writing for you has been great fun…and one hell of a learning experience.
In the past year, I’ve published 58 posts from 5 countries and two continents. Traffic is growing and more people are subscribing.
Any commemorative occasion calls for some kind of retrospective. Today is no different. So, to answer the question that’s on everyone’s mind…
What Have I Learned?
More than I can remember. Seriously. The question is too broad. Let’s say ‘what have I learned about creating stuff?’ That’s easier to answer, and more relevant to the mission of this blog. Here goes…
1. You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to start and build your inertia.
2. Idea capture is everything. When you capture lots of ideas (bad and good), you have the luxury of selecting the best.
3. Talk is cheap. Results matter. Ideas are nothing but hot air…until you pump that air into a balloon and let it fly.
4. Our brains can function even better when we learn how to use them. For example, by understanding associative techniques and the use of spacing.
5. The only thing to fear is fear itself. Especially the fears and neuroses we create for ourselves.
6. Hard work is underrated. Thanks to my former South Korean students for this lesson.
7. The perfect time is now. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Now.
If you want to get a better idea of what Happenchance is all about (and the preceeding wasn’t enough for you), check out my page for new visitors.
What Comes Next?
Long range: The same as before, only better. I’ll continue to provide you with useful, high-quality (if occasionally infrequent) content. I’m also developing a couple of excellent products, but the deadline is still pretty far out. I want to take my time on them in order to really make them shine.
Short range: The next post will be an exploration of creativity and some common myths surrounding it. Look for that within the next few days.
Subscribe!
If you like what I’m doing here and you want to give Happenchance a birthday present, why not subscribe? Or follow the writer on Twitter. Both are free! Even better, you could send some money to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
Photo credit: 3boodnasser
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It’s been a very relevant and engaging first year for this website.
Hey JA, good to see you again. Thanks for stopping by and having cake.
A year…wow! Time certainly has a way of getting away from some of us. I have enjoyed your posts and I have to confess I have not read all 58 of them, Seth. However, if time allows, I will read them and probably will enjoy them, whether I agree or not. By the way, I totally agree with your #3 in the above post 🙂
Happy First Birthday +, Happenchance !
Margaret,
Thanks for reading. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them.