- Louma.
What "secret project" are you working on?
I’ve heard almost every artist I know (and don’t) mention at some point that they are working on a very exciting project, but they cannot talk about it yet.
A Twitter friend, Libby, tweeted on August 6th: “Just ordered the prototype for the (secret thing) I’m working on. OMG my heart is racing! Love to see this thing coming to life!”
Another Twitter friend, Khristian, shared last week: “Working on… A super juicy surprise to be released on my birthday!” — I don’t know when that birthday is, but it seems like it will be a very exciting one (:
These are the “secret announcements” I could quote right now, but I remember many artists (licensing artists, illustrators, graphic designers, writers, bloggers, mentors) say that they are working on something secret.
And I am one of them! I don’t say that it’s secret; I usually just share it vaguely, without giving any details... “Fashion illustration for a new project. ♥ This is my favorite thing to do”—Tweeted on September 7.
I find it funny; why do we do this? Why do we mention it if we can’t talk about it?
Is it because we’re too excited about the project?
I can’t wait for it to be done and launched!! It is so hard not to tell the whole world about it, so I will just talk about it without actually talking about it!
Is it because having a secret sounds exciting and dramatic?
I will intrigue my friends and followers with my mystery. It sounds so thrilling and important, it will make them wonder about it. I like that!!
This has definitely worked with me many times. I have wondered for a few seconds about people’s secret plans.
Is it for marketing/attention purposes?
Everyone will know that something “juicy” is about to be announced at my studio; this means I am busy, which is good, and they will keep an eye on my newsfeed.
Is it simply because we want to share?
I want to tell my friends what I am working on; I am just not ready to talk about it yet…
Creative people like to talk about their plans, and they like to hear what other creative people are up to. If we would really like to share what we are doing but are not ready or don’t want to reveal it yet, saying that it’s a secret seems like a fair option.
And why don’t we reveal it before it is completed?
Would this make us feel less excited about it?
Everyone knows what I’m working on now! It has been announced! Time to move to something else…
This reminds me of Derek Sivers’ TED talk Keep your goals to yourself (3:16 min). He says that when we talk about a goal we want to achieve, the encouragements that we get make us feel we are a step closer to achieving it. Once that goal (or project) is acknowledged by people around us, it gives us a feeling of satisfaction that actually makes us less likely to acomplish our goal. He’s got studies and proof and all!
Are we afraid to jinx ourselves?
It is going well so far. I will keep my hard work locked in with the good vibes of my studio; I won’t say a word until my product is finished and safe.
Personally, I admit that I somehow believe in “jinxing.” I like to keep my important projects uninterrupted by early announcements, so the work keeps flowing smoothly.
And since I am talking about secrets, let me share that something very glamorous designed by Pokidots! should hit the stores some time in the next few months! Big project that’s still in the sampling stage. I hope it will work out like it is supposed to! ☮
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