But until recently I was always bothered by this phrase “good job.” In the movie “Whiplash” J.K. Simmons’ character referred to “good job” as the two most harmful words in the English language. Simmons plays a psychotic jazz band leader who wants the most from his students, going to bizarre lengths to bring that out. For Simmons, hearing good job encourages mediocrity.
In a much less extreme way, I’ve shared that suspicion of good job. An example of this aversion: A friend recently completed an artistic project. I thought some of what he did was good, but overall I didn’t much care for it. I texted him and instead of saying The Phrase, I pointed out what I liked while avoiding any sweeping statements. No good jobs.
In hindsight, that was not the way to do it. I’ve been on the receiving end of that kind of critique before. A friend once told me, regarding a show I played with a band, that we sounded tight on one particular song. I kept waiting for him to fill in the picture with a statement of overall approval. but it never came. Then I figured it out -- by quietly saying he liked bits and pieces, he was loudly saying he didn’t like the overall product. It felt shitty.
The best option, for someone like me at least, appears to be just saying “good job” when you’re presented with the work of your peers. Peers in this case being other aspiring artists.
The change of heart stems from the fact that it’s tough enough doing anything in the first place. It really is. I have tons of half finished projects on my computer. They’re not done because nobody is demanding I finish them. I’m the only one who cares. When this is your reality, getting the projects done is an achievement in itself.
I’m not saying it’s any less difficult for professionals to get their movies and books and paintings cranked out. Well, scratch that, it is easier. At least professionals are doing it because it’s being demanded of them, which is a whole different, more luxurious set of problems than the ones amateur artists face.
Another reason is that I have received several “good jobs” in the past for things that were, all things considered, pretty friggen terrible. I wasn’t stupid enough to completely believe it. Instead, I interpreted this praise as “it’s not bad.” Whatever these people truly felt about my writing, their soft critiques were encouragement to keep going.
So in my work, at my station, good job is the best thing to say to my peers. Completion is the main goal. I can save the real critiques for those far more successful than me, the Sidney Crosbys and Richard Linklaters of the world.
Back to the Whiplash quote, these sentiments about the harm of the “good job” ethos are challenged by writer Richard Brody who says “There’s nothing wrong with good job because a real artist won’t be gulled or lulled into self satisfaction by it: Real artists are hard on themselves.”
A little severe, but it comes with the territory.
So from now on, as far as I’m concerned, everyone is doing great. Good work everyone.
Now it’s up to you to judge whether or not you’re really doing a good job.