Escape from Saturation Island

I think we all sort of know this. We are living in a saturated world. In all directions, I’m afraid. Practically everywhere you look, there it is.

But in the guitar-related world, whether it’s instruments, amps, effects, and everything else, the saturation problem is very clear to most of us. I say most because there is a group of people who likely don’t see it. Or refuse to see it.

Don’t misinterpret. I’m not being in any way critical or negative. But builders, inventors, designers and other creative types rarely see their work as part of the saturated mass. That’s largely because, in their own mind, what they are creating is new, unique and clearly stands out from the crowd. That’s normal thinking. But not always true in the real world.

I know this because I’m one of them. I’ve been a creative guy since I first started designing houses at the age of ten (a gazillion years ago). I’ve created literally thousands of things, large and small, for business, work, and life. Most of those efforts (with a few exceptions) were gratifying, satisfying, and downright enjoyable. And most of all… They stood out. For me.

Our creative work, whether skilled, technical, intellectual, or whatever — has to stand out. Why else would we do it? So, it’s entirely natural to instinctively assume that it will (or should) stand out to others. Sometimes it does. More often it does not. The challenge, of course, is to know when to invoke Kenny Rogers. And that’s not easy for most of us.

Persistence and determination are virtues (I wrote about this here). Sometimes that’s what it takes. And the payoff can definitely be worth the effort. But then there are times when we hang on to our projects beyond their usefulness — for both ROI and our own self-worth. Kenny Rogers told us. You got to know when.

People who know me well, know I’m a positivity guy. And while I can likely evaluate what you’re doing with a project, especially within the guitar-related world that I’ve been part of for over 40 years, most people are going to be less interested in a negative evaluation than a positive one. I don’t discriminate. If it’s hopeless in my view, I say so in the most tactful (and positive) way that I can.

On the other hand, because I’m that positivity guy, my goal is always to open up the proverbial window of opportunity as wide as possible, breathe in the fresh air, and see everything else that’s out there waiting to be discovered.

If you’re a builder, inventor, designer, or creator of just about any kind — you can do this. Maybe.

It’s not natural for many of us because we are often just too close to our work. Occasionally we need a credible outside perspective. And we can get that in many ways from many different sources. Maybe it’s a book. Maybe it’s AI. Or it could be another human being.

You may be struggling with a project, a business, or a direction in general. You may feel stuck and unsure if the path you’re on is the right one. And if any of that is causing stress or anxiety, it may be a signal that you need to reevaluate the situation. It may in fact be time to invoke Kenny Rogers one way or another.

If you need more insight on any of this, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to hear from you. There’s also a new tool called The Ten Avenues that may help you navigate the path you’re on.

In the meantime, the standard close…

Stay Positive. Stay focused on the Destination. But always keep all your options open on how you’re going to get there. And you will.

Jeffrey D Brown is a strategist, author, and long-time creative professional who has helped guitar-related businesses and professionals cut through complexity, regain momentum, and move forward with purpose for decades at GUITARPR.

Learn more about his broader work at jeffreydbrown.com.