I’m convinced that for every visible solution to a problem, there are at least two hidden solutions. Every time you’re confronted with a problem, there are solutions you can’t see. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t there. You just have to look for them. Take a look at the maze above. In your mind, connect…
Give yourself spaces to create. There’s nothing worse than a spark of inspiration coming when you’re unable to capture it. That’s why creatives need to surround themselves with canvases–spaces to capture their sparks of inspiration. Do you surround yourself with canvases?
We’ve talked before about the importance of purpose in your creativity. Without purpose, creativity becomes trite. We create just to fill time and space. We add to the pile of pretty things–pretty and useless things. That’s why we need to create out of need.
Every creative feels like a fraud at some point–because nothing is new. Every idea is built on previous ideas. “All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit it. I myself deny it.” – H. L. Mencken
Looking for that special spark to get your creativity going? Why not think in absurdities. Start thinking crazy thoughts and see what comes of them. The proceeding hairline was the absurdity I was exploring this week. Instead a receding hairline, the hairline is proceeding…attacking the rest of the face.
Creatives risk burning out unless they make inspiration a priority. It’s easy to immerse yourself in your work. It’s easy to shut out the world and create for hours. It’s easy until you run out of inspiration. Then you find yourself trudging through the project. You might finish it but you’re emotionally exhausted. We need…
Stand in front of the Great Wall of China. It completely blocks the horizon. You can’t see beyond the bricks in your path. But if you could hop in a helicopter and elevate about 100 feet, the world would open up in front of you. You could see what was previously blocked. That’s what today’s…
The Bible says to pity the fool that walks alone. I’m paraphrasing the MRT Version. But the road to creativity is a scary one. It’s not good to walk it alone. Creativity deals with deep parts of our soul. When we put ourselves out there and get rejected it can hurt–deeply. That’s why it’s important…
Psychologists have found people don’t learn well when they are comfortable. Our brains are at rest because we aren’t being threatened. They’ve also learned that we don’t learn well when we’re overly stressed or anxious. Our brains kick into fight or flight and we act on instinct. The sweet spot for learning is between comfort…
Creatively stuck? Do a craft. I had a bad case of creative block last week. So I went to a fabric store, bought some “tools”, and made some Halloween costumes for my wife and me. The whole project only took about two hours and it pulled me out of my creative funk.