The Cult of Done: How To Get *Started*

Summary

In this video, Tris discusses 'The Cult of Done Manifesto,' a set of principles that transformed their creative process. The manifesto, by Brie Pettis and Keo Stark, encourages embracing imperfection, accepting work as drafts, and valuing completion over perfection. Tris shares personal anecdotes on applying these principles to video production, podcasting, and music, emphasizing the cyclical nature of creation and the importance of action over procrastination. The video also features illustrations by James Provo, highlighting the manifesto's impact on the maker community.

Takeaways

• 📜 The 'Cult of Done Manifesto', released by Brie Pettis and Keo Stark in 2009, has had a profound impact on the maker community and the speaker's personal and professional life.
• 🔄 The three stages of being are 'not knowing', 'action', and 'completion', and they are cyclical, with completion leading to a better understanding and ideas for improvement.
• 📝 Accept everything as a draft; the idea is to get things done rather than to achieve perfection, which is unattainable.
• 🎨 There is no editing stage in many creative processes, such as painting, performing music, or pottery; mistakes are part of the process and can lead to starting over.
• 🤓 Pretending to know what you're doing can be as effective as actually knowing; embracing the 'fake it till you make it' philosophy can be a powerful motivator.
• 🚫 Banish procrastination; if an idea isn't acted upon within a week, it should be abandoned in favor of pursuing a new idea.
• 💡 Ideas are like a pipe full of random stuff; not all ideas are good, and it's important to move on to the next one if the current one isn't working out.
• 😂 Laugh at perfection; it's boring and can prevent you from completing projects. The 80/20 rule applies here, focusing on what's essential rather than minor details.
• 🚶‍♂️ People without dirty hands are wrong; doing something, even if it's not perfect, is the right approach. Ignore naysayers and focus on creators for inspiration.
• 💔 Failure counts as done; it's a sign that you've tried and can learn from the experience. Success without failure teaches little.
• 💥 Destruction is a variant of done; when something is destroyed, either intentionally or unintentionally, the project is considered complete.
• 🌐 Publishing an idea on the internet counts as a 'ghost of done'; ideas are not meant to be hoarded but shared, even if you can't build on them yourself.
• 🔄 Done is the engine of more; being done with a project is not just satisfying but also a catalyst for discovering what's next.

Q & A

Who wrote the Cult of Done Manifesto and when was it released?

The Cult of Done Manifesto was written by maker Brie Pettis and writer Kio Stark in 2009. It was released under a Creative Commons license.

How has the Cult of Done Manifesto influenced the creator of the video?

The Manifesto has significantly influenced the creator's approach to projects, including writing videos, producing audio fiction podcasts, and creating music or code. The principles are thought of daily and have positively impacted their productivity and creativity.

What does the first principle of the Cult of Done Manifesto state?

The first principle states that there are three states of being: not knowing, action, and completion. These stages represent the cycle of learning, working, and finishing a task.

Why is accepting everything as a draft important, according to the Cult of Done Manifesto?

Accepting everything as a draft is important because it helps to get things done. Prototypes and initial ideas often evolve into final products, emphasizing the importance of starting and iterating rather than striving for perfection from the beginning.

What does the Manifesto say about the concept of an editing stage?

The Manifesto states that there is no editing stage. In many creative processes like painting, music, or pottery, if something doesn't turn out as expected, you simply start again or accept it as it is rather than endlessly tweaking it.

What is the significance of pretending to know what you're doing?

Pretending to know what you're doing is almost the same as actually knowing, according to the Manifesto. This principle encourages people to start working on their projects even if they feel uncertain, as the act of doing leads to learning and eventual mastery.

How does the Manifesto suggest dealing with procrastination?

The Manifesto suggests banishing procrastination by setting a deadline for ideas. If an idea isn't acted upon within a week, it should be abandoned, and the next idea should be pursued. This approach keeps the creative process moving forward.

What does the Manifesto say about perfection?

The Manifesto advises to laugh at perfection because it is boring and hinders progress. The focus should be on completing tasks rather than obsessing over making them perfect.

How does the Manifesto view failure?

Failure is considered a form of completion in the Manifesto. It is seen as a positive outcome because it shows that an attempt was made and provides valuable lessons for future projects.

What is the final principle of the Cult of Done Manifesto?

The final principle states that 'done' is the engine of more. Completing tasks is addictive and the only way to discover what comes next, emphasizing the importance of finishing projects to continue progressing.