This is a new addition to my 2023 reading list.
Seth Godin says he loves to write about the creative process, or The Practice.
As I make the switch from employee drudgery to solo content creator, I want his words in my head, guiding me forward.
Tag: Creativity
Posts about: Creativity
Writers I like on Creativity are: Austin Kleon and Seth Godin.
In my case creativity is about content creation – both the content itself and the design and media that surrounds it.
I’m a complete beginner, coming from a non-artistic career. So I really feel that I’m starting from scratch.
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The Practice – by Seth Godin
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Show Your Work – by Austin Kleon
I’ve added this book by Austin Kleon to my 2023 reading list.
It was recommended by Ali Abdaal as the book he most often gives to other people, because he’s so often asked what to do about impostor syndrome.
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Document, Don’t Create
Like most non-creatives, I had a lot of resistance to publishing content online. I felt I didn’t have a body of work ready to publish. But I’ve been encouraged by watching Ali Abdaal’s YouTube videos➹.
Ali Abdaal recommends the same book to everyone who tells him about their impostor syndrome: Show Your Work, by Austin Kleon➹. The title comes from doing school assignments where you receive credit for not just the final answer, but for showing how you got there.
“I really like Gary Vaynerchuk’s concept of ‘document, don’t create‘. Document the things you are doing already. Document the things you are already learning. Don’t try to ‘create’ new content.”
Ali Abdaal. YouTube. How to Make Money Online in 2022➹In this video, Ali is interviewing the teacher of online writing, David Perell➹.
“Sell your sawdust. What are the things you’re already doing. How do you take that and turn it into something useful.”
David Perell. YouTube. How to Make Money Online in 2022➹
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Be Regular and Orderly In Your Life…
“Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work”
— Gustave Flaubert“Be boring” says Austin Kleon.
If I want to get my life-work done each day, then the rest of my life needs to stop being such a distraction.
There are lots of different methods for organising projects and to-do lists, but one of them is special. One methodology has the goal of having an infinite number of things to do, but nothing on one’s mind.
I’m going to have a second try at implementing David Allen’s Getting Things Done.
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Loafing
I really like this word, loafing.
Is it a privilege of social class, or a measure of success? Maybe it’s just a state of mind.
Ernie J. Zelinski talks about creative loafing, a constructive state of creativity.
Loafing makes me think of Richard Branson wearing a sweater instead of a suit. Something about success that doesn’t need to impress.
Perhaps it’s part of the greater resignation I have in mind. A successful career, filled with creative flow, and without hustle.
I’ve started wearing slippers, during my ‘work’ hours, as a reminder to loaf more and be creative.
The Productive Creative 