Ten lessons on bringing You into your work from James Victore
The other day I found the notes I made back in 2019 when I read James Victore’s book, ‘Feck Perfuction: Dangerous Ideas on the Business Of Life.’ It packs a big punch and is peppered through with words of wisdom. It's a wake up call on embracing your 'you-ness' and how to do work that matters.
I first met James in 2012 at The Do Lectures. We had a great chat sharing a car ride from west Wales to Heathrow. The following year I visited his studio in Williamsburg; and we met in London a couple of times since. And I've realised: I always benefit from a dose of Victore.
Here's a spoon of Victore's good medicine - my ten favourite takeaways from James’ book. But don't just stop there, buy the book and consume the whole bottle!
The worst thing you can do is deny who you are, try to be someone or something you’re not, and live a life bent and moulded by others.
Your voice is the story you put into everything you do. It’s what sets you apart and makes you and your work memorable. Now your most powerful tool is asking yourself, “what do I have to say?”
The things that made you weird as a kid make you great today, they are the source of your character and creative powers. These are the base elements of who you are. If you hide them, you risk never knowing what you’re capable of.
To start a business you have to risk everything, including making a fool of yourself. Even after achieving new levels of personal success, I still have to face the dragon. Heroes are the reluctant ones with the courage to face their dragons. Every damn day.
Everything about your life is a test. All things, both good and bad. They are a test of your character. They test whether you can accept challenges with grace and then grow because of them, or whether you choose to whine and let your anger spill out… Life is a test of your conviction and vision. You choose whether to play the victim or the hero.
To be freely creative is to be completely and honestly you, not a sphinctered-down version of yourself. You have to be willing to make a fool of yourself, or at least go out on that ledge.
The reason so many wonderful ideas and beautiful sketches are born on bar napkins is that you are in a fucking bar, not at your job, not trying, not working, not forcing your brain through a grinder.
Some people are poison. Everyone in life influences you. To make bold moves, surround yourself with people who give you strengths and energy. Seek people who are medicine, who are aligned with your vision and ready to champion your struggle.
Your work is a gift. When you begin to see your work as a gift, it changes why you work, what you make and even who you work for. When your work is a gift, your goal is no longer to satisfy a boss or a client - or even to earn a pay cheque. You now work to make yourself happy and therefore speak directly to your audience. Because you now give them something of value: a piece of yourself.
Let all your loves, fears, and interests saturate your work and make it memorable. Who you are is the most important part of your work - never leave it out.
Thanks for the reminders James!
