Here’s something it took me a while to figure out: Paradoxically, too much stuff can be limiting rather than freeing. I always thought that more stuff equals more choices, which, if you follow a certain logic, it does. But all that choice ends up not having the effect you thought it would. Instead of feeling more creative, I would become overwhelmed because I had too many goddamn choices, which, of course, led me to become paralyzed. I felt like – If I can do anything, where do I start?
On top of which there’s this: you’ll never master too much stuff – especially if we’re talking about technology. I don’t care how smart you are, it’s just not going to happen. But if you narrow what you need down to the minimal amount of tools necessary, you can.
I’m thinking about music technology here, which is really just software – albeit incredibly deep software. But the concept applies broadly across disciplines.
Good to keep in mind the next time you think “Ooh, I want that shiny new thing NOW…”
Want, OK – need? No.