The revolutionary sculptor Henry Moore. A fully equipped mind often accompanies a fully equipped studio.
“Whatever harms an enemy may do to an enemy, or a hater to a hater, an ill-directed mind inflicts on oneself a greater harm.” — Buddha
Preparation is one of the most highly underrated aspects of creation. It’s not uncommon for the average artist to be completely unprepared for the tasks he’s about to embark on. I supposed the current malaise in society encourages this outcome. It sure seems easier to just jump right in OR jump right out. Projects, friendships, careers, and even marriages are entered into and exited from without much hesitation. The advent of technology — which can sometimes be as simple as hitting the “undo” button on the keyboard — promotes an attitude that permits poor planning and even weaker commitment. We’ve become in many ways a direction-less, scatter-brain generation often incapable of clear thought, focused action or patience. This is detrimental not just to the creative but to anyone hoping to live a full and meaningful life.
As an artist, I’ve found numerous benefits to being prepared. This list should make you think twice about abandoning the practice of doing the prep work.
Advantages of Being Prepared:
a) There’s direction in your journey.
Bruce Lee was one cool cat. If there’s anything I’ve learned from my boyhood idol, it was preparation. Bruce knew exactly what he wanted and, with that vision in mind, worked on every single aspect of his craft imaginable.
“Preparation for tomorrow is hard work today.” — Bruce Lee
Knowing where you’re going in life is HUGE. Without at least a rough game plan we’re lost. Hesitation and fear plagues the unprepared. We all know how extreme or unnecessary stress destroys ability to think, see or act clearly. So if you hate feeling like that, get prepared. Do the ground work. Find the books, look for the right teachers. Explore the methods, techniques and tips provided by those before you and around you (if they’re good). Have a workable and realistic game plan. Build the skills you need because these in turn become your tools — tools you’ll bring with you the rest of your creative life. Top performers always look calm and collected because they’re so well-prepared. They have a clear and definitive vision of where there want to take their art and the path to get there.
b) It invites good luck.
The 9 Muses whom according to Greek mythology invented theory and practice in learning, and are responsible for all things creative and artistic.
It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.”
― Ernest Hemingway, Writer
We often think our genius is our own. I think that’s a fallacy. Many things have to go right for things to end up right. Our contribution to any good outcome is always limited despite our skills and even our effort. Therefore, we want to create an atmosphere where the creative muses have a place they’d like to hang out (at least for a while). All great performers know this; luck matters. It’s not easy or common to get “in the zone” so we’ll do anything to get there. Because when it does happens, it feels like magic — stars align, time slows down, and a sensation of living, breathing creative euphoria rushes over you. It feels fortuitous and we know it won’t last. I remember once I was in a figure drawing class, and I was so in step with the creative process that I forgot that anything else existed. I woke out of my trance to see an entire class standing behind me watching me draw (which had been going on for at least 30 mins). It was one of the best and most memorable drawings I would ever make from a live model. I believe this kind of moment can only happen after years of honing the craft doing daily the right things that line up with creative harmony. Those exacting rituals got me ready and open to serendipity. Preparation isn’t just a practice, it’s a mindset that creates a vacuum for excellence.
c) It denotes professionalism.
Every craftsman has a toolbox. What are the tools of your trade?
“Prior preparation prevents poor performance, as they say in the army — and I always, always want to be ready.” ― Anthony Bourdain, Chef
I love being around true professionals, regardless of trade. They are living examples of preparation and prudence. They carry with them an attitude of confidence, assurance and skill that says the job will be done and done right. The true master of his craft always has a solid game plan and all the tools needed for the job. If you’ve ever seen the equipment of a master carpenter, you will see that there’s a large and well-organized allotment of tools, each specifically designed for every kind of situation and project. (I recently worked with a guy who even had his own handmade cases to carry his unique and often handcrafted tools.) The master of his trade is never rushed because he’s on top of things. And there’s nothing more inspiring and reassuring than seeing someone who’s prepared and knows exactly what he’s doing. Solid preparation is a signal of accountability before the job even starts.
d) You improve the odds of success.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Many times it’s about stacking the odds in your favor. And why not? Life is so unforgivingly unpredictable. Although planning never guarantees success, I know of no surer way of avoiding absolute disaster better than thinking and contemplating things ahead of time. Putting it all down on paper — making small versions of what things might come to look like down the road is hugely advantageous. It doesn’t always have to look pretty and usually no one sees it but it’s often this unseen work that makes the foundation for a great piece of art. In fact, I would go as far as say that it’s precisely that kind of “behind the scenes” activity that is the key to success in anything, and not just art.
e) It allows you to be flexible.
The strength in bamboo lies in its flexibility.
“A wise man prepares for treachery.” ― James Clavell, Shogun
As all creative people know, things rarely go smoothly. Even with solid laid out plans and strong abilities, things can and often do go wrong. It’s only a matter of the degree of miscalculation or the size of the unforeseen predicament. But a prepared and intelligent artist has not only a plan but also a back up plan. He’s got the mindset of “if this, then that.” This is difficult because most passionate people are positive and hopeful. They don’t naturally think of the unthinkable. It took me a long long time to learn this and I still struggle with it. But an astute creative is like an astute investor, he budgets for a certain amount of loss and realistic possibility of complete failure. That way, all is not lost even when it seems like it has been. Being open to change and even failure, an artist can go about his business with joy and confidence.
f) It’s actually easier this way.
Each day’s preparedness cumulating into lifetime of excellence is what makes 3-Michelin Star chef Takashi Saito arguably the greatest sushi chef in Japan. Top sushi chefs are like zen masters, always calm and ready for top flight performance.
“Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
We’ve discussed this a thousand times but it’s worth repeating again. Good work takes time to achieve. And often times, it takes even longer for it to be recognized. No wonder an immediate gratification society has no interest in detailed planning or preparatory work. But the thing is, when we’re prepared, we can afford to wait. Soldiers in war spend more time waiting than fighting. Same goes with professionals like firemen and rescue teams. They’re relaxed but at the same time always in the “ready, set, go” position. To be caught in an emergency without knowing what to do would be mentally and emotionally traumatic as well as unacceptable. But it’s equally important for creatives to have such a mindset as well. To struggle making decisions on the fly — constantly over-thinking, analyzing, and doubting — is exhausting, ineffective and inefficient. Being unprepared is highly stressful. Personally, I find it takes me away from my work and away from the creative process. So I believe review, analysis, and assessment must come before and after the work, not during. In being prepared, the pressure drops off significantly so that we can do the job that we need to.
Summary:
Being prepared should be the motto of every creative individual.
“All things are ready, if our mind be so.”
― William Shakespeare, Henry V
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