The continuum where ideas thrive

There's a continuum across which ideas thrive, or don't.

On one end is the aphorism “Measure twice cut once.” Ideas struggle to appear when the measuring goes beyond twice and becomes about expectation-setting (and not ideas).

On the other end of the spectrum is my grandfather's house-framing maxim: “You can never have enough nails.” Actually, there can be too many nails. Too much polishing. Art director-itis.Ideas thrive in the middle. From just enough preparation to just enough finish carpentry.

The trick is realizing the work is about the idea and not about you, not about your career, not about the audience or their lives.