Focus on ownership, not quality

Perhaps the sweetest liberation in the creative process is, the work doesn’t have to be good.

It doesn’t have to change the world. It just has to be yours.

Ownership is what matters. Because nobody can argue that, and nobody can take it away from you.

Copolla’s epic war film is the perfect example. Apocalypse Now is known as one of the top hundred masterpieces in modern film.

But did you know that this flick also holds the record for the highest number of mistakes in a single movie? Apocalypse contains over five hundred character errors, factual mistakes, continuity gaffs, scenes with visible crew or equipment and several geographical inaccuracies.

Hell, there are entire websites curated by observant film experts that catalogue each of those mistakes shot by shot.

Now, some say the movie’s errors were due to lack of research, while others believe the director exercised a bit of artistic license, while many suggest the limited technology available during the seventies created production challenges that were difficult to overcome.

Copolla, however, despite his many blunders, likely didn’t care back then, nor does he care now. He still created a work of art that remains a classic in terms of its acting, characterization, soundtrack, political themes and riveting storytelling.

It’s a powerful case study about how things like consistency, accuracy and perfection aren’t necessary for success. If the creator can be willing to let go of those unnecessary pressures, they’re light and free.

In fact, each of us can do more to affect the level of fulfillment in our creative work by deleting our expectations than we can by doing virtually anything else.

And so, next time you’re not sure if your ideas are good enough, or if you wish you had more good ideas in the first place, don’t be so hard on yourself. Focus on ownership, not quality.

Because quality is an objective measure. It’s a judgment of the matching of expectations with experience.

Ownership, on the other hand, is completely subjective. It’s something that cannot be criticized, because it’s yours. It belongs to you. You’ll never make a work of art and think to yourself, the horror, the horror, ever again.

How many people will realistically notice the mistakes in your wordsk?