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Creative work Quote by Ira Glass

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But…” quote by Ira Glass
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““Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.””

Ira Glass

About This Quote

Source Interview: This American Life, Ira Glass, 2015

Creative work often feels disappointing early on because skill lags behind taste; consistent practice bridges the gap.

In simple terms: Early work is bad; keep practicing.

Key Takeaway

Produce regularly to improve.

Themes

creativity practice perseverance

Mood

determined hopeful

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • art projects
  • design
  • music
  • film

Key Concepts

skill development growth mindset

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you set realistic weekly deadlines?
  • What does “good enough” look like for you?
A Different Perspective

Talent alone isn’t enough without effort.

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