Hey friends,

I stumbled upon Tom Sachs orientation video, Ten Bullets. Everyone who wants to work in his studio has to watch it. They apparently show these at some NASA teams orientations too.

I have always felt the ad hoc nature of working on something creative worked for my attention deficit mind. I realize now that it was always an excuse that comes from fear of failing. Within a structure, failure can be unbearably glaring.

Over the last year, I have been working towards incremental changes to both my inner and outer environment. Starting with small guard rails around structure and consistency.

Ten Bullets

I: Work To Code: Or, Creativity is the Enemy

• Trust the system in place
• Inventions must happen within existing vocab
• Stick to what has been defined for you to do

II: Sacred Space

• Respect of the work space is essential
• Personal items should be put on hooks are discretely stowed away
• Do not become distracted by work of others unless instructed to do so
• All respect should be given to a worker completing a task

III : B.O.T - Be On Time - Come Prepared and Commit yourself Entirely

• On the clock mentality that carries to all things. Not just being punctual
• Your present task is your highest priority. It must command your focus
• B.O.T means you care for yourself mentally and physically so that you are well prepared for work

IV: Be Thorough

• Thoroughness means paying attention to tasks that come before and after what you do. (Always carry pen and paper to make notes of TODOs)

V: I Understand

• For effective execution, SAY that you understand ^[1]

VI: Sent does not mean Received

VII: KEEP A LIST

• Keep a prioritized list at all times
• Carry this list at all times
• Your list is your future and your past

VII: Always Be Knolling

• Scan environment, put away things you don’t need.

• Knoll

IX: Sacrifice to Leatherface

X: Persistance

“Nothing in the world can take place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” Ray Kroc, Founder of Mc’Donalds.

The DO List

A TODO list is for the weak.

A TODO list is a haven for procrastination.

The DO list is the way to get things done.

The DO list is your future and your past

What’s a DO list

• Take a pen and paper
• Split the paper into four quadrants
• Write the tasks you want to DO anywhere on the quadrant. In any quadrant that you want
• Carry it in your pocket
• Add any task that you want to DO to it at any time
• Once all the tasks are done. You retire the paper and start a new one.