OVERTHINKING

It took me years to realize just how much I overthink things. Worse still, just when I realize it and start moving down another path, I fall back into the same old ways before long. Sadly, overthinking really boils down to one thing: Worrying too much about what other people think or say instead of making what you really want to make.

PJ Foley of The Foley Folio sent me an email the other day about the Nine Inch Nails Ghosts project. In this project, Reznor says, "This music arrived unexpectedly as the result of an experiment. The rules were as follows: 10 weeks, no clear agenda, no overthinking, everything driven by impulse. Whatever happens during that time gets released as... something." When I read that, I remembered that that's how I used to do it! I used to enjoy it so much just creating in freedom, especially when I was a kid. I still did it, to a point, even up to creating Skeleton Man.

The funny thing is, I still do that sometimes. Unfortunately, I usually I create in freedom when I am testing out technology as opposed to testing out ideas. Oftentimes I go back and look at that stuff and see that it is better than what I create when I am seriously trying to make a show.

Trent Reznor goes on to say, "We began improvising and let the music decide the direction. Eyes were closed, hands played instruments and it began. Within a matter of days it became clear we were on to something, and a lot of material began appearing." That's what I really want. To let my art decide the direction. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying this path or method is for everyone, and I'm really not even recommending it. It's just something I miss. This isn't the only answer to overthinking, not by a long shot.

Overthinking can be overcome by getting your boards done and sticking to them, no matter how many other ideas you come up with. If you've been working on your project for years and the boards aren't done, you're probably overthinking. If you're a scriptwriting type and your script isn't done, ask yourself if you're overthinking. If you're working on your art and find yourself messing with individual pixels, you just might be overthinking. According to my spell checker, overthinking isn't even a word, so there's no excuse for doing it!

There are many ways out of the overthinking trap, and they all usually involve doing something, sometimes anything. Do a little side project to clear the mind and regain focus. Do something unrelated the project for a while. The bottom line is that if you're overthinking, you are more than likely talking yourself out of making the project you really want to make.

Tags: life, Art