Photography Professor, Jerry Uelsmann, designed a clever experiment handling who could create the best photographs in his class. He divided the class into 2 groups: one side judged on the quality of a photo and the other on the quantity. To receive the highest grade, the quality group had to produce one stunning and flawless piece, but the quantity group simply needed to submit 100 photos. To Uelsmann’s surprise, all the best pictures came from the quantity group.
Perfection is the enemy of progress. The students in the quality group became plagued by paralysis. They were so fixated on external results – submitting a perfect photo – that they failed to do the internal work. Contrary, the quantity group forced the students to practice more. They frequently engaged with new methods and styles, improving their skills marginally and consistently over the semester. While the study doesn’t discuss well-being, I am also convinced the quantity group proved much happier and thrilled to engage with the assignment. By focusing on quantity, we prioritize effort, which is entirely in our control. It gives us freedom from external validation and roots us in the present moment. The quality groups sole focus on results likely exacerbated anxiety, decreased motivation, and limited overall satisfaction toward the task.
It is our job to deliver on the quantity – to focus on effort. The universe will take care of the quality. Consistent practice is the key to unlocking skill. Plan it. Show up daily. Put in the effort. The progress will take care of itself.
