“Art is the elimination of the unnecessary.” – Pablo Picasso
In the book Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder author Nassim Nicholas Taleb tells a story about Michelangelo and Pope Julius II.
The story goes like this…
Michelangelo just created the statute of David.
David was considered the masterpiece of all masterpieces.
David is still so renowned that 500 years later over 1 million people wait in line to view him at the Accademia in Florence, Italy.
Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo what was the secret to his creative genius?
Julius wanted a better understanding of the MINDSET Michelangelo brought to his work.
The Pope asked Michelangelo how he could create something so REMARKABLE out of a block of marble that many artists refused to work with because it was flawed.
Michelangelo answered, “It’s simple. I just remove everything that is not David.”
REMOVE EVERYTHING
When I struggle in my job, jiu jitsu, or my personal life there is a common theme.
I try to install new habits or ideas with out getting rid of old baggage.
We all have OLD HABITS and STALE ROUTINES.
It’s like trying to sail off to a new world with out taking the rope off the dock.
You can only go so far.
Like Michelangelo, we have to REMOVE EVERYTHING that no longer makes sense.
We have to EDIT OUT what no longer belongs, so what’s possible can emerge.
Focus more on REMOVING than adding.
What if???
- Instead of chasing that hot new stock, we get out of DEBT.
- Instead of starting a new diet, we cut out SUGAR.
- Instead of constantly checking our iPhones, we FOCUS on the people right in front of us.
Chip away at anything that no longer belongs.
Time to start your own RENAISSANCE.
#RemoveEverything
-Joe Ciccarone
The Vibe 