Which do you prefer--the process or the product?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205607)
Walnut Creek, California
January 15, 2017 12:55pm CST
I know I've discussed this before, but I just came across a photo that reminded me of one of my favorite questions: Which do you prefer, the process or the product?
What I ask my college students about "little joys" in their lives, some say things like "getting a paper done." I reply: "Can you enjoy the process of writing the paper, once you're on a roll, as much as getting it done?"
Some say they can work on that. Others say they just like getting it done. Some psychologists say that a key to happiness is enjoying the process as much as the product. Basically, everything should be a meditation. I'm about to load my dishwasher. Can I enjoy loading it as much as getting it loaded?
With my hobby, refinishing vintage walnut loudspeakers from the 1960s and 1970s, I enjoy the process as much as the product. Probably more so. I view sanding as a form of meditation. It's relaxing.
The photo I'll attach represents my favorite stage: when I know they will look great, but I'm not yet done. Sometimes I draw out the final oiling over several days, just because I can.
Are there things you do that you could turn into a meditation, rather than a chore? I'm that way with vacuuming. I'll see how loading the dishwasher goes. I'll give it my best shot.
14 people like this
15 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
16 Jan 17
What's vacuuming? Just kidding but truth be told I don't do it often...Every stage of my art is different and so interesting so I enjoy all of them. Finding the used roofing slate at yard sales. and the online places like Craiglist and Kijiji, or from word of mouth is exciting, The washing and cleaning the old slate is like doing the dishes - only outside where the dirt will stay (the mind wanders to interesting places while washing by hand), Cutting the slate is an art in itself and one I enjoy but the hubs likes it too - I let him do it. The planning with a chalk pencil on the slate is inspiring, Using the paint and brushes is second nature. the end result is awesome and the money earned when it sells ...well you know, its fun putting it the bank. Love your photo.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205607)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Jan 17
Thanks (re: the photo)! You describe your stages well. I actually forgot about the joy of finding materials to work on. When I search Craigslist and see "Working Dynaco A-25 speakers in terrible cosmetic condition: $80" I get an endorphin rush!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205607)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Jan 17
@nanette64 I do sometimes as well, even though I have a dishwasher. It can be relaxing.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
16 Jan 17
@TheHorse I do. I don't like dishwashers.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
16 Jan 17
I can relate this to organizing parties. I like the planning part more than the event itself.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
16 Jan 17
@TheHorse What can you plan in 10 minutes?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205607)
• Walnut Creek, California
16 Jan 17
@allknowing "Wanna jam (music)? I'll be right over!"
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
16 Jan 17
Being a girl, lady chick, woman; my first 'project' (in my mid 50's) was to build a window seat in the living room for my cats. Now mind you, being that I had never done anything like this before, I had to draw a diagram of what it 'should' look like so I would know what to buy to build it. Needless to say, it turned out well enough that I built another one for the kitchen window. They are 13" wide by 18" tall and they have a covered cushion for the tops. My next project was a picnic table. That was okay too except that I used the wrong wood and it rotted @TheHorse . So in the end, the process and the products were both ideal.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
15 Jan 17
With the making of a quilt I enjoy each step of the process. At each stage though I usually reach a point where I want to be finished and on to the next step.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205607)
• Walnut Creek, California
15 Jan 17
@Morleyhunt That's a good thing. I'm sort of that way with my coaster and speaker projects. Right now I could glue felt bottoms on some coasters, start some new coasters, or sand the little KLH radio I'm working on. No new speaker projects at this point.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
15 Jan 17
@TheHorse and I always seem to have several projects at different stages. This gives me a choice of what I feel like working on.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325594)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Feb 17
We really enjoyed doing up the bus nearly as much as using it - barring the bad bits of course! But for us, nearly all the projects we take on provide as such satisfaction and fun as the finished whatever whether it's going into the bush and getting a load of wood for winter or building the woodshed or Herc's shelter or whatever.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325594)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Feb 17
@TheHorse We did it over about two years. Every step involved a fair bit of agonising over. We weren't the fastest having never done anything like it before. In the end we needed it ready for a Music Festival so we pulled out all stops and got it finished. Nothing like imposing a deadline on yourself for getting something done.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Jan 17
I enjoy the process, the accomplishment and the out come. Hard to choose which is best. The exercises I do to strengthen my arm has become like a meditation.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Jan 17
@TheHorse .....That's right. Make it like usual business.
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
16 Jan 17
depends how smoothly the process goes - if it goes well it becomes enjoyable itself. If it goes wrong, things run out, or break and there is spillage then I'd just want the process over and done with
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
15 Jan 17
@TheHorse It is interesting,that you asked this.I think,I used to do ironing clothes like that ,not as a chore.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
16 Jan 17
I actually kind of like cleaning the kitchen, and I do love the way it looks after I've finished.
@teresatrotter (4073)
• Jacksonville, Florida
15 Jan 17
I prefer both. I love being a part of the process, while the creation is being made. Plus...I enjoy the product that comes from the satisfaction, that my efforts and participation was responsible for the end result.
1 person likes this
@diosabella (4789)
•
16 Jan 17
When I read the title first and saw the picture I was honestly think of the product. But while I was reading your article It made me think of those long hours I spend on doing my special project and I know how much I enjoyed it even I had to spend long hours just to finish it. So, I'm choosing the process. 
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Jan 17
some processes are fun, some things, like writing a paper on a subject I dont like, aren't fun, lol
