I used to feel insecure about my creative process.
Then I heard a story about Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen—and I instantly felt better.
Here’s the story:
Then I heard a story about Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen—and I instantly felt better.
Here’s the story:
In 1983, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen met in Paris to discuss music.
They both went on to sell millions of records.
Their conversation perfectly captures two ends of a spectrum: the spectrum of how creators produce work.
They both went on to sell millions of records.
Their conversation perfectly captures two ends of a spectrum: the spectrum of how creators produce work.
Adam Cohen (Leonard’s son) recalls the conversation his father told him.
This is a reenactment of how I imagine the conversation went:
This is a reenactment of how I imagine the conversation went:
Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen are sitting in a cafe in Paris, the morning after a Dylan concert that Cohen attended.
Leonard Cohen: “Great show yesterday, Bob.”
Bob Dylan: “Thank you! Btw I loved your song 'Hallelujah.'”
Leonard Cohen: “Thanks man.”
Leonard Cohen: “Great show yesterday, Bob.”
Bob Dylan: “Thank you! Btw I loved your song 'Hallelujah.'”
Leonard Cohen: “Thanks man.”
Bob Dylan: “How long did it take you to write?”
Leonard Cohen: “Hmm about 2 years. I loved your song ‘I and I.' How long did it take to write?”
Bob Dylan: “15 minutes.”
Leonard Cohen: “…Nice.”
Actually Leonard Cohen lied.
It took him FIVE YEARS to write ‘Hallelujah.’ 😬
Leonard Cohen: “Hmm about 2 years. I loved your song ‘I and I.' How long did it take to write?”
Bob Dylan: “15 minutes.”
Leonard Cohen: “…Nice.”
Actually Leonard Cohen lied.
It took him FIVE YEARS to write ‘Hallelujah.’ 😬
This is one of my favorite stories.
For me, this speaks to two styles of experts:
(A) the “just ship it” expert (Bob Dylan)
(B) the “meticulous at their craft” expert (Leonard Cohen)
Here’s what I mean:
For me, this speaks to two styles of experts:
(A) the “just ship it” expert (Bob Dylan)
(B) the “meticulous at their craft” expert (Leonard Cohen)
Here’s what I mean:
Bob Dylan’s achievements:
• 600 published songs
• 10 Grammys
• 2 Album of the Year awards
• 1 Nobel Peace Prize
He was prolific to say the least. He shipped often.
• 600 published songs
• 10 Grammys
• 2 Album of the Year awards
• 1 Nobel Peace Prize
He was prolific to say the least. He shipped often.
On the other hand, Leonard Cohen was meticulous. You might even say an overthinker.
But he was still the GOAT:
• In Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• ‘Hallelujah’ covered by 300+ artists
• Prolific poet & novelist
• Won 4 Grammys
Despite taking 5 years to write a single song.
But he was still the GOAT:
• In Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
• ‘Hallelujah’ covered by 300+ artists
• Prolific poet & novelist
• Won 4 Grammys
Despite taking 5 years to write a single song.
I’m in the Cohen camp. I’m an overthinker.
What made it worse:
When I started writing, I compared myself to others.
Most folks seemed like Bob Dylans.
• They published quickly
• Didn’t worry much
• Wrote a lot
In comparison, my process was slow & full of self-loathing.
What made it worse:
When I started writing, I compared myself to others.
Most folks seemed like Bob Dylans.
• They published quickly
• Didn’t worry much
• Wrote a lot
In comparison, my process was slow & full of self-loathing.
I was embarrassed to share how much work went into what I did.
For years, I tried solving this personality trait.
One day, I realized it's a constraint. It's part of how I work.
I’ll never be someone who has an idea & publishes an article the next day.
And that’s okay.
For years, I tried solving this personality trait.
One day, I realized it's a constraint. It's part of how I work.
I’ll never be someone who has an idea & publishes an article the next day.
And that’s okay.
I realized I could turn a bug into a feature.
• Embrace my instincts
• Choose a publishing cadence that works for me
• Acknowledge upsides/downsides to every style
I could aim for high quality... AND learn to be mindful of diminishing returns.
• Embrace my instincts
• Choose a publishing cadence that works for me
• Acknowledge upsides/downsides to every style
I could aim for high quality... AND learn to be mindful of diminishing returns.
When Leonard was asked how he felt that Bob Dylan only took 15 minutes to write a hit song, Leonard said:
“That’s just the way the cards are dealt.”
I appreciate the honesty of his response.
And I appreciate that he didn’t let his “slow” process stop him from sharing his gift.
“That’s just the way the cards are dealt.”
I appreciate the honesty of his response.
And I appreciate that he didn’t let his “slow” process stop him from sharing his gift.
If you're the type of person who feels self-conscious about sharing...
You're probably exactly the type of person who should share more.
I hope this story (and knowing Leonard was a fellow overthinker) is the nudge you need to consider sharing your expertise with the world.
You're probably exactly the type of person who should share more.
I hope this story (and knowing Leonard was a fellow overthinker) is the nudge you need to consider sharing your expertise with the world.
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