No one episode of the show represents what the show is about…. To me, like, I’m drawing this regression plot so there’s, like, this episode’s about this, this episode’s about this, and it all kind of scatters…and then you draw this regression line, and that regression line is the thesis of the show.
You don’t do that by one big, perfect episode. You do that by lots of different ones that make up a whole body of work.
-Roman Mars, Creator of 99% Invisible, in interview with Chase Jarvis
What will be the regression line for your career? What will be the regression line for your life?
Don’t try to establish yourself in one big, perfect performance. It’s the mistake of young singers trying out for reality competitions, it’s the mistake of young gamblers betting it all on one perfect hand, or artists putting it all into one painting, symphony, or theatrical performance.
Make art, consistently, every day, as often as you can. Make small art, make big art, make much art.
When you’ve amassed enough, you’ll look back and the line will be clear. It won’t be what you predicted, but it will be clear.