Why Tom Sachs Says "Give Up Immediately"

Tom Sachs doesn't believe in scribbler’s block. His advice? "If at first you don't succeed, give up immediately." Not permanently, just pivot. Move to something else that feels fun. Get stuck again? Pivot again. By the third rotation, your subconscious has already looped back to the first thing. It's like sleeping on a problem, but with momentum.

That tracks with my experience.

I start with a dog walk, earbuds in, podcast or audiobook, something that stretches the brain while the body moves. I often find myself dictating a line or two that might become a blog post. When I get back, I sit with coffee by the window, journal in hand. I unpack ideas, talk myself through what's working, what's not, and set the day’s intention.

By the time I start "working," I've already covered ground, mentally and physically.

Midday, I train. Boxing, HIIT, strength. After that, I might sketch out a screenplay sequence, catch up on my game consulting work, or track through a new creative itch. Not because I'm chasing productivity. Because rotating focus keeps me from stalling out.

It’s not random multitasking. It's a strategy. ADHD brains burn out from hyperfocus. We thrive in motion. Scribbling jammed up? Blog. Blog tapped out? Switch to music or story structure. Hit a wall? Walk again, this time without headphones. Let silence do its thing.

Sachs starts his day by touching clay. I touch movement, sound, intention, and story scribbling. Not in a rigid ritual, but a rotating cycle that feeds itself.

So here's my framework:

• Rotate between three creative projects

• Move daily, with purpose, not just steps

• Use mornings to set intention, not chase output

• Let the subconscious work in the background

And if all else fails? Walk the dogs. Dictate something weird. Or just put pen to paper and scribble something, anything — always.