Nat Eliason

In this thought-provoking essay, Nat Eliason shares his mantra for striking a balance between self-criticism and self-compassion when creating creative works. He acknowledges the natural frustration that arises when each additional effort yields diminishing returns in quality improvement. Eliason advocates embracing a 'good enough' mindset, wherein one releases the work at a subjectively determined point, recognizing that perfection is unattainable. This approach allows for personal growth over successive projects, gradually elevating one's craft. The essay is a nuanced meditation on the creative process, urging reasonable self-critique tempered by the understanding that excellence is an incremental journey.