10 Ways for Staying Creative (in Both Good and Bad Times!)
One of the most popular ways of staying creative that many of the world’s most famous artists have used is that of simply having a nap! However, as author Austin Kleon says in his great book, Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad, there are different types of naps:
“Not all naps are created equal. There are lots of ways to take a nap. Salvador Dalí liked to nap while holding a spoon. As he dozed off, he’d drop the spoon and wake up, but still, be in the dreamlike state he needed for his surreal paintings. Writer Philip Roth said he learned his nap technique from his father: Take your clothes off and pull a blanket over you, and you sleep better. “The best part of it is that when you wake up, for the first fifteen seconds, you have no idea where you are,” Roth said. “You’re just alive. That’s all you know. And it’s bliss, it’s absolute bliss.” Me, I like the “caffeine nap”: Drink a cup of coffee or tea, lie down for fifteen minutes, and get back to work when the caffeine has kicked in.” 1
What’s True Is That…
…no matter whether you are feeling burned out, starting over or starting out, or amazingly successful, the question is always the same – how can I keep going and keep staying creative?
Interestingly, Kleon had this same question every day and decided to answer it by writing the book that he needed to read which ended up being the one I mentioned in the introduction above. As he says about the book,
“This book is a list of ten things that have helped me. I wrote it primarily for writers and artists, but I think the principles apply to anyone trying to sustain a meaningful and productive creative life, including entrepreneurs, teachers, students, retirees, and activists. Many of the points are things I’ve stolen from others. I hope you’ll find some things worth stealing, too.” 1
Well Austin, I loved your book and have taken you up on your generous offer. I have stolen a bunch of thoughts and ideas on staying creative from your list of ten things that I am now going to share with my readers.
10 Ways for Staying Creative (in Both Good and Bad Times!)
(1) Start every day from scratch!
No matter what you are doing or working on, you will never “arrive” and even after you achieve your goal you will always be asking, “what’s next?”.
As Kleon suggests the best answer to this question is to have a daily practice:
“The truly prolific artists I know always have that question answered because they have figured out a daily practice—a repeatable way of working that insulates them from success, failure, and the chaos of the outside world. They have all identified what they want to spend their time on, and they work at it every day, no matter what. Whether their latest thing is universally rejected, ignored, or acclaimed, they know they’ll still get up and do their work.” 1
The fact of the matter is that yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not promised; so focus on today and what you can do with it.
He also suggests having a daily routine so that we don’t waste the precious time that we do have. What your routine looks like doesn’t matter so much as does the fact that you have one. Don’t get too caught up in what others do but rather find something that works for you.
(2) Building Your Own “Bliss Station”
While it is important to connect with others to be inspired and to share your work, it is also critical to have silence and solitude.
To accomplish this, Kleon suggests building something called a “Bliss Station” which can be either a specific room or a time of day, or both, where you can be alone. Think of it as a time and place for creative incubation free of distraction where you can bring forth what you are and what you can be.
(3) Focus on the verb and forget the noun
This one refers to letting go of the thing you are trying to be (the noun or the job title) and focus on the work you need to be doing (the verb or the job itself).
As he says “Job titles can mess you up. Job titles, if they’re taken too seriously, will make you feel like you need to work in a way that befits the title, not the way that fits the actual work…Job titles aren’t really for you, they’re for others.” 1
(4) Be careful turning your hobby into your job
Don’t be so quick to turn your hobby into your job because one of the quickest ways to hate something is to turn it into your job. The idea is to try to resist the urge to monetize every part of your creative practice.
I especially liked an equation that he shared which was:
“Do what you love” + “I deserve nice things” = a time bomb
It’s at least good food for thought…
(5) Be mindful of what you pay attention to
One of the most valuable things we possess is our attention and it is important to be mindful where we direct it.
As Kleon advises:
“What you choose to pay attention to is the stuff your life and work will be made of. “My experience is what I agree to attend to.” psychologist William James wrote in 1890. “Only those items which I notice shape my mind.” 1
One way to do this is via journaling and reflecting to take some time to step back and make sure you are focusing on the right things.
(6) Slay the art monsters
This one is all about being a good person. As Kleon points out, “The terrible myth that being an absent parent, a cheater, an abuser, an addict, is somehow a prerequisite to or somehow excused by great work is slowly being torn down.” 1
In other words, being a good and decent human being is more important than producing good art or good work. We need more good people, not more good artists or workers.
(7) Find people who are like-hearted rather than like-minded
By only collaborating with people who act and think like us, it is difficult to change. The idea is to find others who don’t share our perspective to make us rethink and strengthen our ideas. At the same time try to find those who are like-hearted meaning they are open-minded with great listening habits. People who don’t just react but take time to think about what you are saying.
(8) When in doubt, tidy up
While he discusses various types of tidying from your office to your materials, I want to focus on what he says about tidying your mind:
“Sleep is an excellent tool for tidying up your brain. When you sleep, your body literally flushes out the junk in your head. Neuroscientists have explained that cerebrospinal fluid in your brain starts flowing more rapidly when you sleep, clearing out the toxins and bad proteins that build up in your brain cells.” 1
(9) Go for a walk!
This is one I personally try to do every day and it is simply, taking some time to think straight by going for a walk.
According to Kleon:
“Walking is good for physical, spiritual, and mental health. “No matter what time you get out of bed, go for a walk,” said director Ingmar Bergman to his daughter, Linn Ullmann, “The demons hate it when you get out of bed. Demons hate fresh air.” 1
(10) When Life Gets Overwhelming, Remember, “This, too, shall pass”
I really like the great advice Kleon gives for when life gets overwhelming:
“Whenever life gets overwhelming, go back to chapter one of this book and think about your days. Try your best to fill them in ways that get you a little closer to where you want to be. Go easy on yourself and take your time. Worry less about getting things done. Worry more about things worth doing. Worry less about being a great artist. Worry more about being a good human being who makes art. Worry less about making a mark. Worry more about leaving things better than you found them.
Keep working. Keep playing. Keep drawing. Keep looking. Keep listening. Keep thinking. Keep dreaming. Keep singing. Keep dancing. Keep painting. Keep sculpting. Keep designing. Keep composing.
Keep acting. Keep cooking. Keep searching. Keep walking. Keep exploring. Keep giving. Keep living. Keep paying attention.
Keep doing your verbs, whatever they may be.
Keep going.” 1
A Quick Note of Caution…
…while I am definitely a huge proponent of naps for staying creative you might want to stay away from doing using any of the tricks we discussed in the opening paragraph.
Not that I am doubting the effectiveness of the methods used by Messrs. Dali, Roth or Kleon but dropping a spoon and napping under a blanket with no clothes on is probably a bad idea…especially at work!
Until next time, keep staying creative, has anyone seen my blanket, and as always…PYMFP!
–Rick
Use It or Lose It
The 10 ways we discussed for staying creative that we discussed are:
(1) Start every day from scratch!
(2) Building Your Own “Bliss Station”
(3) Focus on the verb and forget the noun
(4) Be careful turning your hobby into your job
(5) Be mindful of what you pay attention to
(6) Slay the art monsters
(7) Find people who are like-hearted rather than like-minded
(8) When in doubt, tidy up
(9) Go for a walk!
(10) When Life Gets Overwhelming, Remember, “This, too, shall pass”
When to Use It
Use these ideas for staying creative whenever you are in need of staying creative in your life!
What Do You Think
What do you think of these ideas for staying creative? Do you have any other suggestions for staying creative? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
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References
1 Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon
Great prompts for a good life. We often need these reminders! Thanks Rick.
Hi Eileen, Thanks for reading and the comment, yes there are some good ideas in there. Best, Rick
Phillip Roth definitely had the right idea. Since my retirement I have been sleeping “au naturel”,
waking up refreshed and relaxed. The concepts you list do work. (6) had me going – yes, get rid of all the trashy bad paintings and all this new age crap. But then you qualified it, which for me is maybe a good thing, as I enjoy writing really bad poetry. Remind me in eleven months do send you a copy of my Fractured Christmas Carols. Then gather a group of semi-drunk friends and go around the neighborhood singing on front porches.
I stay creative by writing magazine articles and doing my historical research. I lite to keep my mind fresh by watching historical TV shows – its fun pointing out where they screwed up the facts, or the props are from the wrong time period or the vintage newsreel footage they show does not relate to the subject. Who fact checks these idiots?
(9) go for a walk. We already discussed who this can be invigorating and inspirational.
Hi Dave, Lol – I would definitely love to check out your fractured Christmas carols – I can just imagine what it will look like! I too do many of the things you suggest as you include some great ones! Take care, Rick