In his never-ending quest to write things I need to hear, Hugh McLeod dropped this on me via Twitter.
[blackbirdpie url=”http://twitter.com/gapingvoid/status/45169828172009472″]Right now, I’m on the bleeding edge of what I’d probably consider sustainable creation for me. In the last month, I’ve taken on more clients, more responsibilities at my work and I’ve started full-tilt marathon training. I thought my schedule was full before, but I think I’m on the bleeding edge of what’s sustainable for me.
The funny thing is that I’ve noticed that this is how I start to feel when I’m doing my best work. I feel stretched. I feel like I don’t have enough time. I feel like I’m pushed to my limits. And I still want to do more.
I constantly feel like I’m juggling a million balls at once and I’m constantly scared that one of them will drop. And still…somehow, I manage to find a way to add one more thing in to the mix and keep on juggling.
When I do, I find out that when I stretch, I dont’ break. I find out that there’s always time and I find out that my limits aren’t what I thought they were.
There’s a fine line between riding the bleeding edge of sustainability and bleeding out entirely . I’m doing my best to walk that line carefully and not jump off any cliffs of insanity, but in the mean time, I’ll get to work and do some things that desperately need to be done.
[Cliffs of Insanity]
Simple but powerful concept, Joel, and I absolutely love the phrase “bleeding edge” that you and Hugh MacLeod use to describe it. Can’t say I’ve ever heard it before, but as a writer, that’s simply an awesome phrase that makes me want to create equally awesome terms and descriptions.
It’s a great phrase that describes exactly where I’m at. Kudos to Hugh 🙂
To this point, I find your comment interesting in the respect that “bleeding edge” is one of those cliche’s that I am entirely sick of, as it was over-used and majorly abused in my previous jobs in the IT consulting field.
Companies always talk about bleeding edge vs. cutting edge, when basically all they want to say is that they are either too cheap, too conservative or too scared to adopt any new technology.
Anyhow, nice to hear alternating opinions!
Interesting thoughts. I think that “bleeding edge” here is used a little differently than in IT, but I can definitely understand term fatigue :0
If anyone would have asked me who I thought could be capable of taking on more and pushing the limits of what is possible, honest to goodness, you would have been near the top of my list.
To your previous blog, you are writing about things you need to hear, and well, these comments are here to reinforce the fact that you are on the right track. You never know how far you can push yourself until you push yourself one too many times.
You are an inspiration in the respect that while you need to hear these things, I think you bring a valuable message and story that others relate to. Kudos and thanks for that.
Thanks Justin, that means a lot 🙂
Whoah Joel, I think we are in the same train now. I posted Monday Project hoarding: Minimise the Trouble, exactly about that. Taking on too many things… And being eager for more! I also feel like this, and it is both terrific and terrifying at the same time…
Not enough hours in a day, but still want to fill the little remaining moments.
Cheers,
Ruben
We like to torture ourselves, don’t we? :). Good luck getting all your projects done!
I’ve had this same experience. There seems to be a natural ebb and flow to my work, and I notice that the times where I feel like I can’t stand one more thing, it’s because I can’t contain it rather than not having anything left to give. Better to be blown apart from the inside, rather than withered and dried from the outside.
Here’s to the bleeding edge!
“Blown apart from the inside” <– Here's hoping that doesn't happen 🙂
Joel,
Thanks, like the concept! Reminds me of your post re: Edges of Reality. Not exactly the same but similar concepts.
Kurt
When you hit your limits, you find out how much further you can push them. Thanks Kurt
Juggling a million balls at once?! I have no clue what you’re talking about here. I would never do that.
Ever.
T’ch-AH . . .
Thanks for the succinct reminder to check myself, Joel!
Never!
Synergy 🙂 I think that the less we do the more we make excuses. When there are simply too many things to do, we can’t help but just do them. The best productivity hack in the world is simply needing to do lots of things.
Haha, I’m finding that out this week more than ever. Funny how much you can get done when you simply just have to.