Try to make things that can become better in other people’s minds than they were in yours.
This quote is essentially about the power of ideas and their potential to evolve and grow when shared with others. It suggests that when we create something – whether it’s a piece of art, a concept, a product, or even an idea – we shouldn’t aim for it to be a finished, immovable object. Instead, we should aim for it to be something that can be developed, built upon, or interpreted in new ways by others.
This idea challenges the common perception that the creator has the final and most complete understanding of their creation. It acknowledges that others can bring their own perspectives, experiences, and skills to bear on what we create, potentially seeing things we didn’t or couldn’t, and thereby enriching or improving upon the original idea.
In today’s world, this concept is more relevant than ever. The rise of the internet and social media platforms has made it incredibly easy for ideas to be shared, discussed, and built upon by people all over the world. The open source movement in software development is a great example of this – programmers from different backgrounds collaborate to improve on existing code, often leading to innovative solutions that no single person could have come up with on their own.
In terms of personal development, this quote encourages us to be open-minded and receptive to the input of others. It reminds us that we don’t have all the answers and that our ideas can benefit from the perspectives and experiences of others. It also encourages us to share our ideas openly, rather than hoarding them or being overly protective of them. After all, an idea that’s kept to oneself can’t grow or evolve in the same way as one that’s shared with others.
