10 Reasons to Grow in the Dark
Why so much happens in the shadows
(Quick note: this is about both building a lifelong artistic practice and the process of undertaking slow-moving take-overs. Both require lots and lots of tedious, foundation setting activity over many, many years.)
When you decide to do something, learn something, change something, build something, or become something: do it quietly—at least at first.
Why?
LESS STRESS
Because if nobody cares, there’s no pressure to be perfect immediately. And you can do whatever you want without having to rationalize the existence of your work.
MORE FREEDOM
Because if nobody will help you, you can tinker and explore at your own pace and in your own direction. There’s freedom in being left to your own devices.
NO WRONG ANSWERS
Because if nobody will stop you, you can keep going in whatever ways you like. You can change your mind and your route, your materials and your focus without fear of reprisal.
NO INTERFERENCE
Because is nobody bothers you, you can spend more of your energy doing and less time rationalizing, explaining, getting permission, and justifying your adventures.
MORE IMPACT
Because if nobody will expect it, you will leverage the element of surprise to your advantage, making what you’re up to seem all the more impressive than than it would seem if your slow progress had been judged at every step.
LESS COMPETITION
Because if nobody notices you doing it, they won’t try to do their own version themselves. The more obvious you are will your activities, the more other people might think, “hey, I can do that, too.”
MORE ICONIC
Because if nobody knows what to make of it, then you know you’ve made something unique, something one-of-a-kind, something you can be known for.
MORE UNSTOPPABLE
Because if nobody saw it coming, they will to too shocked to refute or slow down your work once it goes public.
MORE AUTHORITY
Because once nobody can doubt you, you become someone others look to for the kind of answers and methods you found in the dark.
RETROACTIVE INEVITABILITY
Because once you’ve done it, it’s too late to stop you. And everybody else has to work in their own dark in response to what you’ve managed to do.