7-Second Thoughts November 12, 2024

There will be bloody tension

It’s a process, not a miracle. ~ Eric Idle, Author of The Spamalot Diaries

Throughout the writing of Spamalot, Eric Idle had no idea if his play would be a success and so he kept a diary – that, of course – also had no idea if the play would be a success

Success does not even come close to describing what Spamalot eventually became

But here’s the takeaway:

When Eric published the diary, he kept in all the fights

Or “rows” as he refers to them

Between himself and his fellow “Pythons” 

Because:

Without the fights

You get nowhere.

See if this helps:

If you and your team are putting together a website

Make sure there is some point of tension

Some disagreement

Even if you have to 

“Have it out”

With your assistant, spouse, friend, prospect or group of peers

And here’s why:

If everyone agrees

On everything

Then you simply haven’t put enough stress on the characters

Pushed enough buttons

Asked enough questions

Asked enough follow-up questions

To find the point of tension 

That’s going to make your audience

Care.

I’m here,

Kevin

P.S. Ok, so there was one rather large organization I worked with about four years ago that never had any disagreements or any obvious signs of tension during all the time we spent on their website. And their website never did launch and probably never will. Honestly, because they were and are so insanely successful that they do not need a new website – or any website at all, for that matter. Kind of like this guy.

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