Real G’s Move in Silence Like Lasagna
Stop Talking, Start Doing
A study by NYU psychologist Peter Gollwitzer found that discussing your goals can significantly reduce your likelihood of achieving them. By giving voice to an aim, you're creating what's called a ‘social reality,’ and this has negative consequences for real-world results.
“The act of telling someone about your goal gives you the feeling that it's already been achieved. It releases dopamine, the reward chemical you're supposed to get after you’ve accomplished something. But once you've felt that high prematurely, it’s tough to get it back.”
— Steven Kotler, The Art of Impossible
Kotler’s research hit home for me because I’ve experienced this firsthand. You get a brilliant idea that feels like it’ll be your next great work. You share it with your friends, family, or coworkers, and everyone loves it. You’re excited, energized, and you’ve crafted an airtight pitch that leaves people cheering you on. But when it’s time to sit down and actually do the work, your energy is gone. You’re no longer inspired.
I believe in speaking things into existence and getting feedback from trusted friends. Knowing how to pitch your work is important, but over-talking an idea? It can kill it before it even starts.
Seth Rogen once talked about how many screenwriters spend more time talking about their ideas than actually writing them. If they had just put in those hours writing instead of sharing, the work would already be done. And I see this all the time with creatives—there’s this pressure to talk about your next project just to gain respect from your peers, to prove you’re working on something.
But there’s something beautiful about keeping your ideas to yourself for as long as you can. Aspiration seeks approval; inspiration seeks expression. So next time you feel the urge to share, ask yourself—are you trying to impress your peers, or are you trying to create the art your soul needs?
The great Lil Wayne said it best:
Go move in silence.
(And yes, that line is A+ wordplay, with the "G" being silent in lasagna. Weezy, baby.)
Silence creates space for creativity to flourish. It keeps you focused on the process instead of the praise. The work should always speak louder than the talk. So, what’s your next move? Go in silence, focus on the work, and let your art do the talking.
Keep creating and repeating.
- Zack
Links keeping us creative:
📕 Build: An Unorthodox Guide To Making Things Worth Making. Tony Fadell, who led the teams that created the iPod, shares his experience and offers advice on creating products that are truly worth making.
🛝 Figma Slides: Recently added to Figma’s catalog of creative tools. Great for any creative who wants to elevate their decks.
🎨 ColorZilla: See a sweet color on a website or a video? Eyedropper, Color Picker & Gradient Generator right in your browser.
✍️ Advice for Beginning Writers: Advice from author John Steinbeck. “I have written a great many stories and I still don't know how to go about it except to write it and take my chances…”
Create.Repeat is a community for creatives.
The Create.Repeat Substack is a project designed to be a weekly diary on creativity. Sharing inspiration for artists to keep creating and repeating.
Written and curated by Zack Evans & James Warren Taylor
Each week we will be sharing recent thoughts on creativity, some links helping us stay creative, and soon will be including a talent show featuring an artist from the community. Thank you for engaging with us.
History repeats. Create the future.
Some Final Links:
reading this blog post while also reading Austin Kleon's "Show Your Work" is so conflicting lol