A Healthy Obsession
Obsession is essential, it’s absolutely the most important component to doing anything worth talking about. Without it, we have mediocrity – we have the bored, the lethargic. With it, we have the ability to push ourselves to the limits of what we think is possible and achieve stellar results.
Ask any good designer, an obsession with perfection and getting something right visually allows for the best results. Ask any good great developer, an obsession with efficient, clean code leads to applications that run faster using less processing power with less bugs.
Make the last 10% of something the best 10%. If something isn’t right, rip it out and redo it. And then redo it again. Obsess with the details, the completion, the experience; all of it. If you don’t think you have something to obsess about, create something; or just stop reading my blog. I hope to only preach to the converted, it makes things much easier on me.
Personally, I’m completely obsessed with building a fence. What does that have to do with the internet or design? Nothing. I really just wanted to post that picture of me working on a fence in the dark – if that’s not obsession, I don’t know what is. And guess what, I re-dug several post holes, re-screwed several 2X4s, and re-cut several boards. All in the name of obsessing over the details. Getting them right gives your work longevity, for every detail you leave behind, it’s a detail you will regret.
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George Huff
peddler of ideas and all things that are good
I am a digital geek; equal parts designer, builder, and ideator. I am the co-founder of a interface design shop in Portland, Oregon called We the Media. We do amazing stuff running the gamut from systems design to application development to interface design. If you would like to work with us, drop me a line.
We recently started a new company around a product we're calling Opal. It's a way to build company cultures around delighted employees.
At this blog you will find stories about business, life, web design, & culture. You will also find a stream of what I find interesting on the web. Enjoy.
The fence is looking good!!!
Obsession is good, but knowing when to stop is what makes that 10% great.
I remember building a fence with my brother-in-law. He’s one of those obsessive, driven people who doesn’t know when to stop. Because of that he put a post 10 feet off rather than 8 while it was only 4 feet from the end of the yard. We had to dig it out, dig another hole, and redo a length of fence.
In my job, I know my designers hate me art directing, but if I don’t step in and tell them it’s time to stop, they’ll keep poking at it trying to get that elusive 2% perfect, even when that 2% is subjective and the work is amazing no matter what they do with that last bit…
You fence looks real nice. I agree in taking time and working on the details to create something with longevity. It is hard sometimes not to rush things, but when you take time the end result is much more rewarding. But the opposite is also funny as seen at http://thereifixedit.com/.
I love the idea of our work having longevity. All the truly great builders and artists are great not only because of their obsession in the details but in the quality of the build. Da Vinci, comes to mind when I look at this marvel, this addition to the Huff’s yard. Well done sir.
We really appreciated the late night hammering. props.