Creative Tip of the Day #4: Separate Work From Consumption
Finding Joy In Your Labors
We often get so caught up in the achievements that we don’t think about the creative work itself. True fulfillment should not simply lie in the finished product; the process is vital as well. Focus on creative thinking rather than the validation of your efforts, and you will come to find that the more individualized your creative process is, the more unique the work will be.
I was clicking through the presentation that is below called “How to Produce Better Content Ideas” by Mark Johnstone, which outlines better ways to brainstorm ideas that will help build your business. There is a natural process for making connections that we can use to our advantage (slide 97), one of which is incubation. “You need to actively disengage. Go and do something that fully absorbs your attention, says Mark.” You’re in two different states of mind when you’re on “work mode” and when you’re absorbing an activity.
Tip #4: To avoid or overcome writer’s block, try to separate work from consumption. For example, my writing is better when I am getting inspiration in the form of reading or observing. This type of activity will jumpstart the process of creating something: the step of illumination (slide 106).
Try absorbing in loads of information from your surroundings, uncritically. Pay attention to disparate sights, sounds, and smells. Think about your “Ah-ha!” moments. Do you remember how you incubated that idea? Maybe you were absorbed in a conversation, like Mark was, that led to a breakthrough.
MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT TOMORROW'S CREATIVE TIP OF THE DAY ON finding your creative outlet!
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