Ever find yourself on a rollercoaster of inspiration and doubt? Well, you’re not alone. Today, we are delving into the wisdom of best-selling author Austin Kleon and his book ‘Keep Going.’ Get ready for practical tips to kickstart your creativity when you hit those dry spells and keep that creative flame ablaze. Kleon encourages you to embrace the ebb and flow of your creative journey, acknowledging that doubts are a natural part of the process. In his book, he provides actionable advice to help you navigate those challenging moments and unleash your creativity with renewed vigor. So, buckle up and get ready to ride the waves of inspiration as we explore how to consistently unleash your creativity, inspired by Austin Kleon’s insightful guidance in ‘Keep Going.’
Key Idea No. 1: Keep A Daily Routine
Embarking on a creative journey is akin to riding a rollercoaster – it’s not a straight shot but rather a wild loop of twists and turns. Unleashing your creativity in this unpredictable adventure adds excitement and purpose to each twist and turn. Success, rather than a finish line, becomes a companion encouraging you to continuously express your creativity throughout the artistic process.
Truly prolific artists have a secret: a daily practice, a repeatable way of working that shields them from the highs and lows, success, and failure. Unleash your creativity by making a daily commitment to your craft, regardless of external reactions. This commitment becomes a cornerstone, anchoring you amidst the unpredictability of the creative journey.
Expect good days and bad days, moments of inspiration, and times when you’re teetering on the edge. Your daily routine becomes an anchor, guiding you through the storm. Whether you’re juggling a day job, working from home, or caring for kids, express your creativity within a structured schedule is the key.
But remember, routines and to-do lists are more like goals than guarantees. Not every day goes as planned. Make it to the end of the day, forgive yourself, and acknowledge what you did accomplish. As you hit the pillow with a clear mind, let your subconscious work its magic while you sleep, ready to express even more creativity on the blank page of a new day. Express your creativity with balance, for every day is an opportunity to paint your masterpiece on the canvas of time.
Key Idea No. 2: Encourage Creative Freedom to Unleash Your Creativity
Creativity is this amazing dance between connection and disconnection. To truly unleash your creativity and let your creative juices flow, you’ve got to connect with others, but you also need those moments of alone time to think and bring something awesome into the world. In today’s world, with notifications buzzing and news never taking a break, finding that special space for deep focus can be a real challenge.
Let’s break it down into some simple steps to carve out your own personal space and time for creativity:
Start by finding your bliss station. This is a specific place or time that you consistently dedicate to your creative work. It could be a corner in your home, a specific hour during the day, or any spot that helps you really concentrate.
Now, let’s talk about rethinking your morning rituals. Instead of jumping straight into the latest headlines, kickstart your day with things that bring positivity and set a creative vibe. Unleash your creativity at your bliss station, do some stretching, read a book, enjoy your breakfast, or simply take a moment of silence.
Adopt the “airplane mode” mindset. Airplane mode isn’t exclusive to air travel. During your daily commute or any moment of solitude, turn off distractions. Pop in some earplugs, switch your phone to airplane mode, and transform that time into an opportunity for undisturbed focus on your creative pursuits.
Mastering the art of saying “no” is a valuable skill, especially when it comes to protecting your creative time. Your creative endeavors require focused attention and uninterrupted periods of concentration. Politely turning down external invitations is essential to safeguard this precious resource and maintain a balance between your personal and professional commitments.
Key Idea No. 3: Verb vs. Noun
People often dream of having a cool job title without putting in the actual work. They want to be the noun without doing the verb. But here’s the thing: the real magic happens when your focus on the work itself to unleash your creativity.
Your job title matters, sure. It defines the work you’ll be doing. But don’t let it trap you. Being a “creative” might sound cool, but it’s just a label. Creativity isn’t the end goal; it’s a tool, a means to an end. Don’t get stuck on titles; they can mess you up and limit the variety of work you might enjoy.
Let’s say you love painting. If you focus on being a painter, you might wait for someone to slap that title on you before diving into serious painting – the very thing that earns you the title. But here’s the catch: even if the whole world calls you a certified, capital-P Painter, you’ll never truly “arrive” as a creative person. Unleash your creativity; the creative journey isn’t a straight line; it’s an endless loop.
So, how do you keep that sense of playfulness in your creative pursuits? Here are some steps:
- Ditch the Titles: Job titles are deceiving. Instead of aiming for a specific label, see them as tools for the real work. Don’t let titles limit your potential or stick you in a box.
- Playfulness is Key: Take a cue from children’s play – it’s serious business. Approach your work with a light and playful attitude. Creativity isn’t the endgame; it’s a way to something greater. Focus on the process, not just the outcome.
- Create for Yourself: Forget about recognition. The act of creation itself is the prize. Make intentionally bad art – it’s oddly liberating and a lot of fun.
- Take Immediate Action: Don’t wait for the perfect title. Dive into the work now. Write, paint, create – whatever your passion, take real steps. Playfulness and consistent action go hand in hand in nurturing creativity.
Key Idea No. 4: When Hobbies Turn Risky
Turning your passion into your main source of income might seem like the dream, but be cautious – it’s one of the quickest ways to turn something you love into something you might end up hating. Suddenly, your creative outlet becomes the means to keep a roof over your head, and that pressure can suck the joy right out of it.
To avoid this pitfall, consider having a day job and pursuing your creative work in your spare time. If you still want to “do what you love” for a living, mitigate the risk by resisting the temptation to turn your entire creative output into an income stream. Make sure you’re always doing at least a small amount of creative work purely for the love of it.
But it’s not just about money; online metrics can mess with your passion too. When you digitize your work, you expose it to the world of clicks, likes, and shares. But do these numbers really capture the true impact of your creation? Clicks might give you a momentary spotlight, but it doesn’t guarantee lasting resonance.
If you’re sharing your work online, take a breather from the numbers game. Forget about the clicks and likes every now and then. Instead, focus on the qualitative aspects. Is your work genuinely good? Does it resonate with you? Think about what your creation does to your soul beyond the numerical measures.
We all go through phases of feeling disconnected and then reconnected with our work. When you sense your artistic spirit fading, step away from the marketplace and create something special – a gift. There’s a unique purity in making something for someone you care about. It can reignite that spark and remind you why you fell in love with your craft in the first place.
Key Idea No. 5: Embrace Uncertainty
Ever felt the pressure to always stick to your guns, never changing your mind? It’s time to break free from that trap and unleash your creativity by embracing the power of switching things up.
Our world tends to see changing perspectives as a weakness, but let’s challenge that idea. Changing your mind isn’t a setback; it’s a stepping stone to personal and creative growth. It’s about saying no to the mold society wants to force upon us.
In today’s digital age ruled by social media, it’s easy to get stuck in echo chambers that just repeat our own thoughts. To unleash your creativity, actively look for different perspectives both online and offline. Surround yourself with people who challenge your ideas, who aren’t afraid to offer different viewpoints. Growth and understanding happen in these conversations.
Creating spaces for open-minded thinking is crucial. The online world, once a place for experimentation, can be risky for those with an established image. So where can you be off-brand? Offline. Your personal space – whether it’s your chill spot, your creative zone, or a cozy corner with a journal – can become a sanctuary for free thought.
But let’s not ignore the wisdom of the past. Diving into old books and historical insights isn’t just a trip down memory lane. It’s a smart move to escape the noise of today and gain valuable perspectives. Seneca, a Roman philosopher, believed that reading old books adds the author’s years to your own life. It’s like expanding your worldview by tapping into the wisdom of those who came before us.
Now, here’s the action plan: embrace uncertainty. See the unknown as a catalyst for personal and intellectual development. Be open to changing your mind and actively seek diverse ideas. Break away from the conformity of like-minded communities, both online and offline. Create your personal haven for free thought and connect with the timeless insights of the past.
In a world that insists on certainty, let your journey be one of continuous exploration and growth. The power to change your mind isn’t a weakness; it’s your ticket to a richer, more enlightened existence.
Key Idea No. 6: Keep Working, Keep Playing
Life is like a tree, a symbol of creativity that echoes the seasons of creative work. Just as a tree experiences dormant periods in winter, creative endeavors have their off-seasons. To unleash your creativity and foster sustainable creative growth, it’s crucial to understand and embrace these natural cycles.
Our lives, like nature, have diverse seasons. Some blossom early, while others flourish in old age. In a society obsessed with early success, shift your focus to the enduring stories of those who thrived over time. Get inspired by things that last, not those that come and go. Unleash your creativity and embrace the wisdom of those who persisted, planted seeds, and bloomed into something lasting.
The takeaway is crystal clear: every day is a potential seed for growth. Instead of submitting to the overwhelming pressure of external expectations, let’s redirect our focus to the meaningful actions that lead to personal development. In the face of life’s challenges, find solace in the examples of those who persisted against all odds.
You have to keep working, playing, drawing, looking, listening, thinking, dreaming, singing, dancing, painting, sculpting, designing, composing, acting, cooking, searching, walking, exploring, giving, living, and paying attention. The overarching message is straightforward: keep going, no matter the season, because every day is a chance to unleash your creativity and grow something beautiful.
In the unpredictable landscape of creative pursuits, ‘Keep Going‘ by Austin Kleon offers a compass for navigating the twists and turns. From daily routines to embracing uncertainty, the book provides a comprehensive toolkit to unleash your creativity.
To delve deeper into these invaluable insights, click here and let ‘Keep Going‘ be your guide. Keep your creative flame ablaze in every season of life, for every day is a chance to grow something beautiful.
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