Make it edible

I lived for a short time in a co-op in Berkeley, California where everyone had assigned chores. The first time I was assigned meal duty, I was nervous. I had never cooked for a dozen people, and was desperate to make something impressive. One of my housemates offered this escape hatch from my anxiety: “The only requirement for dinner is to make it edible.”

Makers always want to achieve the improbable, but when you’re having trouble getting started, consider what’s possible. Figure out the basic requirements and aim for those.

You are not always asked to perform miracles; sometimes you are being asked to help.