You should make some absolute garbage.
 
Here is what I mean.
 
When we are new to creative pursuits, inevitably what we make at first isn't going to be that great or at least not our best work.
 
Before I made my audio drama Shadows & Daylight I made another series called The Circuit. It's not valuable for people to listen to per se, but it was valuable for me to make. The end product wasn't valuable, but the process was valuable for me. I learned how to use Cubase as a software. I learned how to use Celtx for writing scripts. I learned how to manage a team. I learned how to direct. I learned a lot about sound design. I learned a lot about comedy and dramatic storytelling. I also learned a lot about what not to do.
 
I could have said, “You know what I'm not very good at this. No one's gonna want to listen to it.
And since no one's gonna want to listen to the end product, what's the point of making this show at all? Maybe, maybe I'll just won't do it.” But then I never would have gotten better at my craft. 
The only way to get better at something is by doing the thing.

I want to encourage you today. I'm not trying to say that your productions will be bad, but some of them will be. I'm sure there's lots of things I'm working on in the present that in the future I'll look back on less than fondly. But it did give me the experience that I need for the future.

That's why absolute trash productions are actually worth your time.

That's why making something terrible is actually valuable.

I want to encourage you today to make some absolute garbage so that you can make some good stuff in the future. I'm being tongue-in-cheek here, of course. I'm not saying to intentionally make something bad. I'm saying that some of our stories and art, no matter how sincere our efforts, won’t be great, but they will be stepping stones. And those stepping stones are necessary to become the storytellers and artists we aspire to become.
 
Go make some trash.

What is something you learned from “trash” projects? Comment your lessons below!

In the digital age, smartphones and technology have become integral to our lives, providing us with unprecedented connectivity and information. However, with these advancements come potential distractions that can hinder our productivity, especially for those striving to be efficient storytellers. Let's explore the dangers posed by smartphones and discover practical ways to regain focus and self-discipline in our creative pursuits.

We live in a world where both logic and emotions play crucial roles in shaping our decisions and responses. While acknowledging the value of both, it's essential to recognize how technology, particularly smartphones, exploits these aspects of our minds. From notifications to social media apps, our emotions and logical reasoning are strategically manipulated to keep us engaged and addicted.

Central to this digital tug-of-war is the hormone dopamine, associated with pleasure centers in our brain. Whether triggered by a hug or the completion of a project, dopamine creates a sense of accomplishment and reward. Social media platforms utilize gamification, capitalizing on dopamine release to foster addiction, ensuring users keep returning for that rewarding experience.

Smartphone apps, often designed with gamification strategies, use notifications and rewards to hijack our logical flow and productivity. The dopamine hit we experience upon clearing our inbox or responding to messages creates an illusion of accomplishment. Understanding these tactics is crucial for creative storytellers aiming to reclaim control over their time and focus.

To combat the distractions posed by smartphones, it's imperative to cultivate self-discipline and make intentional choices. Embracing low-tech solutions and creating barriers to excessive tech use can significantly impact our ability to concentrate. By connecting with the real world and opting for traditional tools like physical books and alarm clocks, we reduce the grip of digital distractions on our lives.

The journey to regain focus and productivity requires conscious decisions. Examining screen time and identifying areas where smartphones steal our time is a critical first step. By embracing non-tech alternatives and establishing boundaries, creative storytellers can break free from the digital chains, unlocking valuable time for their projects.

In the pursuit of storytelling excellence, understanding the dangers of smartphone distractions is key. By acknowledging the addictive nature of technology and implementing intentional choices, creative individuals can reclaim their focus, time, and efficiency. It's time to break free from the notion that we lack time for our projects; with discipline and conscious choices, we can take back control of our creative endeavors.

What are some of the practical ways you have reduced distractions that inhibit your writing? Share them in the comments.