Critique Over Criticism
EMBRACE YOUR INNER CRITIQUE AFTER YOU’VE CREATED DRAFT ONE
As a music artist, I have had this odd practice over the years. Because I’m not just the songwriter and musician, but also the producer of my music, I have to separate myself from the work I’ve created. I have to, in a sense, remove the “songwriter” hat when I go into “editing” mode. I can do that now, but it wasn’t easy at first. After all, when you write a song, every line is meaningful to you. Every note matters. Every lyric matters. It’s personal. So when I’d revisit the song the following week with my “Producer” hat on, I’d think, “This Bridge needs to be cut in half.” And the “Artist” in me would say, “No! It’s beautiful!” Then, the “Producer” within me would say, “Jordan, if you want this song to serve churches well, it’s going to be difficult for people to sing eight lines. Learning four is enough to learn, and four is much easier to start singing in unity in a worship setting. You know this needs cut in half!” In that moment, the songwriter/artist hat has to be set aside, and the editor hat must be put on for the song to take the best form. This is what I write about extensively in my new book, Ask Think Imagine.
This is what being a good steward is all about it. It’s about the work of art.
Great artistry gets “in the flow” and creates without considering feedback or revision. However, great stewardship requires the feedback, wisdom, and critique of others in order to constantly iterate and improve. Sure, you may create in isolation. Late at night in front of your computer or instrument or out in the shop. However, to move from good to great stewardship, you have to move from the mindset of an Artist to the mindset of a Steward or Editor. You just have to have the right “hat” on - the right mindset and shift gears from “artist” to “steward.” Great works of art come from artists who know how to separate themselves from their work - for a moment - in order to critique it and refine it without hurting the feelings of the artists.
Embrace your inner critic and give the world the best version of your art. After all, it’s for the Lord’s glory and people’s enjoyment - shouldn’t it be great? We should be doing our work “as unto the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:5-8 “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord.”
We want to do things to the best of our ability when we realize that even our work of art is an act of worship. How then can we do that? Be open to critique and feedback!
EMBRACE THE CRITIQUE OF OTHERS
Embrace the critique of others, especially when it’s your “customer” or whoever is the recipient. Not every critique is criticism. One is helpful. One is hurtful. Learn the difference. Criticism is just plain mean, and you can tell that it comes from a place of envy or something else just as ugly. However, critique and feedback should be welcomed! After all, at times, it is the primary way that you grow. Numerous times in my life, I have offered what I made to a group of friends and asked: “What could be better about this?” Every time, I’ve been given valuable advice that improved what I made.
When you are open to critique, you are wise enough to find wisdom from outside yourself.
If someone gives you feedback, consider it. If the world tends to love a certain piece you made and respond with greater passion to it than your other works, then pay attention. Ask yourself, “Why do they love that piece?” Then, reverse-engineer or codify the aspects of that piece of work. This gives you insight into how to best multiply the gift within you.
When you are open to critique, you are wise enough to find wisdom from outside yourself. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve improved in an area where I simply asked for help. When I wanted to be a better producer, I submitted my songs to A&R professionals and paid for their feedback. They gave me numerous tips that proved to be helpful for not just the next song, but many songs afterward. When I wanted to plant churches, I met with 5 pastors who had all multiplied churches in their city. Each gave me valuable feedback and critique of my 10 Cities Mission plan. I could’ve thought, “Hey, don’t be mean! My plan is perfect!” But when we are in love with our work (of art), we are often too blind to see the critique we need in order to be more effective. Not all critique should be taken. Sometimes, you’ll know “That’s just not me.” But sometimes you’ll think, “I’m so glad they said that. I never knew that!”
When we are in love with our work (of art), we are often too blind to see the critique we need in order to be more effective.
The good news is that you don’t have to come up with these questions all on your own. Think of the mentor (or mentors) you want to learn from, then utilize the Mentor Questions I have created for you! They are specifically designed for these feedback meetings; they’re the very ones I used over and over again. Find them on AskThinkImagine.com. They’re also provided in the Ask Think Imagine Workbook on Amazon.
When a certain work of yours makes a bigger-than-expected impact, think through its aspects and see if you can codify it. This will multiply the gift within you.
Codify means putting measures and methods in place that would help you create that type of work/art again.
The composer does this by bringing in a producer.
The author does this by hiring an editor.
The pastor does this by asking a creative team to revise his or her sermon.
The architect does this by bringing someone else on-site to view it and walk through the plans.
The music artist does this by noticing which songs sell the most and thinking through the possibilities of why, or by posting songs to social media and gathering feedback.
The mother does this by bringing another mother in for a day who specializes in her work of art and teaches the kids.
The project manager does this by involving the team and putting their ideas to work, not assuming his or her ideas are the best.
The fly fisherman does this by taking lessons from another pro.
The parent who loves to cook and bake does so by taking a course and improving their skills.
Tiger Woods still gets lessons. Steph Curry still has a coach and even hired an additional trainer after years in the NBA! They schedule time to do the work and grow.
These revision patterns for productivity don’t diminish the authenticity of one’s work; they make the artist more effective. If the joy of the work of art leaves after the revision, return to the pre-revised, original work.
Excellence is a mindset, one that must be embraced to be the best you can be and reach your fullest potential. Fight the urge to have an accomplishment mindset - always looking to accomplish a thing by yourself. Instead, focus your mind on principles and values like excellence, collaboration, and work ethic. In that, you’ll find the joy of being a great steward, and you’ll release your best work.
If you just chase accomplishing things (awards or accolades for your works of art) your peace will be disrupted - dependent upon the reception of your work. In your disrupted peace, your relationships will be negatively affected. Instead, just aim to be a principled person - a person who values integrity, honest work, creativity, the pursuit of excellence (not perfection), collaboration, and godliness. Pursuing virtues as opposed to accomplishments is at the heart of the good steward. The pursuit of perfection will leave you either with a constant state of regret or unfinished work. The pursuit of excellence will drive you to do the work necessary for your work of art to be incredible… and still open to improvement. The joy is in the growth.
Ironically, when you aim to be a principled person, the great works of art (accomplishments) follow as a natural result.
Focus your mind on principles and values like excellence, collaboration, and work ethic. In that, you’ll find the joy of being a great steward, and you’ll release your best work.
J.R.R. Tolkien had numerous drafts and extensive revisions for The Lord of the Rings. He created multiple versions of chapters, rewrote significant portions to develop the story and world, and made changes to the text even after the first edition was published. Yes, at some point you have to be “done” for the work to make its impact, but seldom should we release our first draft.
A Servant’s Heart Is The Heart of a Christian Artist
The Christian who embraces their second identity as a Steward does so with a servant’s heart. They have not just been born again by the Artist’s work of renewal, but also inspired by the lifestyle of Jesus. In light of two of Jesus’ disciples asking for the best seat in the house - to sit at Jesus’ right and left in His coming Kingdom- Jesus replied, giving them a little dose of humility. He told them, “Then you better be willing to die and suffer like I’m willing to die and suffer if you want that kind of honor.” He reminded them that He came to serve, not to be served.
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” MK 10:45 ESV
“Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” 1 Corinthians 4:2-5
God knows if we are truly giving it our all in our ministry/company/wherever we serve and work. He knows if we view our work as “unto the Lord” or not.
Part of becoming a great steward who releases great art that makes a big impact is knowing the difference between critique and criticism, embracing critique for the sake of improvement. Improvement is for the sake of serving others even better.
*This is an excerpt from my new book, Ask Think Imagine. You can order the KINDLE version now or grab a physical copy on October 16th.