The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
Whatever you create and publish gets put out there. And it gets put out there forever, even after you die. Checking, for example, Michael Angelo and his sculpture of David and all the cave paintings, or even your child's finger. Pain, things. Some of this work may be destroyed or lost. But if it's purposely created for viewing others, it will likely live long after you're gone.
Editing means reducing the peace to the bare minimum
Do not confuse the editor with the critic. The critic is the one who holds everything apart. Knit-picking and doubting while the editor approaches the piece with a very open mind. And tries to keep the original art intact.
When editing your work, you must try to detach yourself as much as possible. Of course, you must find other editors because they have an open perspective. Still, they are not the originators of the creation, so you must be careful about the edits they suggest because they may lead the project in an opposite direction. And then you wanted it to.
Language is an imperfect translation of actual thoughts. Go through the mind and get translated into words. There are several factors that do not get translated, therefore, if you are giving feedback or criticism about something. Your words may not be 100%. Reflect on your actual thoughts and vice versa. If you are the one receiving the feedback or criticism, then your interpretation of those words may get translated inaccurately or not entirely.
Believing an idea is best just because it is yours. It's not the right way to go about creativity. In all honesty, you should keep your mind as open as possible and consider other people’s eyes.
It's okay to get an entry-level position in a field where you want to immerse yourself. In and your creator field interest. That way, you can learn from others and then move up.
Allow creativity to bend through your prism.
The self is a prism because you have different moods at different times and different feelings. At different times what you can do is try to make different decisions at those different times to get different results.
Remember how enthusiastic you were about your creativity? When you first begin try to use that energy to help carry you forward.
Begun, completed, released, begun, completed, released, and over and over.
In service to the current project, we finish it and set it free to the world. So we can begin on the next project and so on.
If you feel like your energy has decreased, it's the activity that you are doing. Then it might be that you need to take a step back and approach the task differently. Or try to plant an entirely new energy that comes in the spurt. And that energy does not come directly from you. So you must try to listen closely and engage. You're feelings as you go one turn may decrease your energy, so pay attention closely to the terms that you take.
It is important to take breaks and avoid re-reading your work too often to approach it with fresh eyes.
Learning all the theories and the fundamentals. And as much as you can about, the topic does not hurt your creativity. How you use that knowledge is what could make or break it. Something you learn does not need to be implemented if it doesn't work for you. However, I personally do believe that the knowledge that we learn does influence how we think. And how we act, so the statement that learning more knowledge cannot harm. This is somewhat true but could also create Harm in how you create new things because of too much knowledge in the solution to that is approaching everything with a beginner's mindset.
The more we improve our skills and multiple areas, the better. We can synthesize that information and turn it into our craft.
You vary The Times that you practice and the amount of time that you take breaks in between your practice. You discover different things about your abilities. What helps you to make progress? And what does not practice build up over time?
It's fine to get advice from other creators, but they have their way of creating, and their advice is just advice. It is not a prescription, so the best thing for you to do is take that advice as it is adapted as you will. But make sure that you do your own thing.
Create your rituals that help you create the best.
Believe in what you believe and don't let others tell you. Otherwise, create in a place that feels the best to you, where your creativity flows a lot smoother than maybe other places. Do experiment with this to find what works best for you.
Is the creative act does not make a person go crazy like you see? In summer, films and books, what the creative act does is therapy for a person who is suffering from otherworldly influences. It brings them a bit of peace.
There does not have to be a purpose in what you make as long as it is something that you feel like you need to make.
Works that strive to fulfill a meeting or a purpose. They tend not to fulfill that meaning or purpose because they are forced.
From start to finish, everything has shades. Meaning one small tweak can change the whole piece of work and could make it ready to go out. Some of these tweaks can take a very long time to produce, while others may only happen in an instant.
If you are ever stuck on which choice to make then experiment with a coin flip but pay attention to which side of the coin, you instinctively want to win, follow that instinct, and choose the one that you feel. Would be best if the coin flip had already been decided before you did it.
Children are taught to not follow their instinctive choices is probably for a very good reason because children have less rational minds and more impulsive than adults. But still, as an adult, we can. Get back into that childlike sense of making decisions impulsively. We in terms of creative thinking don't think just do.
Is the only way to make a choice is to compare it to what has already been done or what you have already experienced?
Make sure you copiously, and l take notes of everything that crosses your mind. During the process of creativity, it's OK if you do not use that note right? At that moment, because it may come in useful in the future. Save it in a spot where you can access it again.
Spontaneity of creativity can come in spurts, and sometimes a creation may only take a few hours, while others may take years.
The life of a creator is 24/7. You never know when something may hit you. Therefore, therefore you have to always be aware. And in the present moment and then act when inspiration strikes you.
It's crazy that this life is meant to be balanced. Yet many of our work situations are quite unbalanced, which does not leave much room for creativity. Just like at my work, there is barely any room for creativity throughout the week. Because of all the things we are expected to do, it's as if they expect us to work after hours.
The only way to have lightning-bull moments is to immerse yourself in the activity fully.
Effort and diligence are the key factors.
Not every Lightning bolt is going to be a game changer. You may follow that lightning bolt. And then it ends up being a dead end.
It seems like the lightning bolt is not the main focus, but rather the context in which it appears. Perhaps there is a specific action or communication that triggers the lightning bolt, and there is residual energy that can be harnessed for your benefit.
Many people are walled off, but sometimes those walls can provide different ways of seeing things from a different perspective.
Curiosity does not play sides, it is entirely open, and if You use it wisely, You can discover new ways of doing things and a solution to your Problem.
Have Faith in experimentation and keep it ongoing. Because maybe the answer is not right in front of you right away, but it could appear through continuous experimentation.
When you're writing a book, just let it flow, rather than trying to follow your outline and then see where it takes you.
Instead of trying to control your thoughts, allow them to flow naturally. Focus on the present moment and let inspiration come to you.
Sometimes you've just got to let your mind go in order for the creative thoughts to flow in.
Perfection is finally had not when there is no more to add, but when there's no more to take away.
Creations are snapshots of our best at the time that we created it. Just like exams at school, those are not the reflection of how smart the kid is. It's just a snapshot of how the kid did on that test at that time.
Self-competition is not trying to beat yourself. It is trying to improve upon what you have already done.
If you're immediately put off by something, a type of experience, someone's creation, or even your own creation, it's worth exploring why you're put off by it because strong reactions usually really mean a deeper context or meaning behind them.
Most creations have context, something to base the creation on, while revolutionary creations do not have context and therefore may seem foreign to us and other people around us, revolutionary creations create their new contexts to work from.
Sometimes, your creation may not seem all that vulnerable to begin with. But your subconscious mind may be put in your subconscious. Thoughts and feelings and inner workings in your work. In hindsight, you can see how much you have opened up and how vulnerable your work has been.
How do you know when a project is going well or not? It's usually that feeling of ecstatic like a sparkle or a glimmer or something. That just tells you that everything is going to be okay. And everything is going well. This may not always be the case that it will be a successful piece or project. But at least in your heart, you know that you did your best. And that spark led you too. An end product where you can complete it and then move on to the next or continue to improve the completed product.
The hard times are almost always just a setup for something lighter, brighter, more significant, and more enjoyable than it ever was before. So if you're going through a hard time right now, just realize that this is a trial to make you stronger. And on the other end of the tunnel, you will come out living a better and more wholesome life.
Do not get attached to the outcomes of success.
Success will not make you happy or fix your insecurities. Happiness is what we gain from our experiences. The things that we do in our lives that we enjoy, and the people that we spend. Our time with you can be happy by pursuing success. But not by reaching it life and success. And happiness is a continuous pursuit.
If you're always trying to please others to reach your success by creating something that you think others will like. Then you are using the wrong metrics to reach your success. Rather than focusing on others, focus on how this creation of yours affects you because there are bound to be people out there. That is similar to you in their needs and wants and desires. Create for yourself, and you create for others that are like you.
Instead of focusing on what this art can bring you focus on. What this art can bring to the world.
The measurement of greatness is subjective. No metric measures the greatness of your art or creativity,
Try to break the patterns that you normally do. For example, if you write short paragraphs, try writing longer paragraphs. If you create short videos, try to create long videos or vice versa, and mix it up to see what works well and what does not.
There are no bad or good rules. The only rules that should be used are the ones that work well to benefit the situation.
Try to be a mix of an experimenter and a finisher. As in the beginning stages, you can spend a bit more time trying to experiment and find out what works. And what doesn't, and then? Once you get past that state, you can try to go on to the end to make that final product even if it is not perfect.
This reminds me of Leonardo da Vinci's work because he had many pieces that were unfinished because he kept on starting new ones. However, this may not be the best way to go about things. He wouldn't have made his best pieces if he hadn't made a ton of them because he would have just been stuck on one.
When making art, the audience comes last.
The delay in finishing their work cheats new works from being created.
Completion of work is only a reflection of you at the time of completion. That's why it's so important to follow through with finishing. You're working that way. It does not stagnate over time. Thank yourself because the you of tomorrow is different from the you now.
Pretend like it's your last time doing that thing. Also, also, you can switch it up by pretending like you are doing that thing for different types of people. For example, pretend like you are writing to God or pretend like you are writing to the love of your life. Each time you pretend the tone of that piece changes even if the words are the same.
When I create, I should create for myself, not for others. In turn, I just create nature. What I think is helpful for me will be helpful for others struggling with the same thing.
The Thing that matters the most. Art is the personal touch. And without that, it's just like any other.
Get the creative work done, then go back and edit.
If you find yourself stuck on a particular point while drafting something, it's best to skip over it and move on to the next part. Complete that part instead. Once you finish the draft, go back to the part you skipped earlier and fill it in. Don't let the part that's holding you up stop you from making progress. It's important to keep up your momentum and prevent any potential roadblocks from slowing you down.
Stop re-reading or rewatching your work. Instead, you should continue working through to the end or to a good stopping point. And then step away from it, don't share it with other people. Just continue working on it without re-reading it or rewatching it. This prevents you from getting stuck and allows you to finish the work that you set out to do in a reasonable amount of time.
If you're taking too long on a project, then you may lose momentum to carry on with that project partly due to your inner thoughts or because the times have changed. So you have to be careful of taking too long, but still take the time that you need.
You've got a framework that you are working on. And you're using that framework as a general guide. To get you to your North Star along the way, you may create different versions of the final product. This allows you to have a bit more freedom rather than trying to just stick with one product and not have different versions that you can choose from. Which one is the best?
Once you've worked out all the kinks and details, you can start to set deadlines which will help you to stay focused and have less of an open-ended style of work. You have a straight goal that you're heading towards a North Star.
Rick recommends working on multiple projects simultaneously. Doing so can avoid getting stuck or tunnel vision because you're only focusing on one project. Switching between projects gives you time to reflect and return to them with a fresh perspective and renewed energy. This approach can help you avoid burnout and increase your efficiency in completing your projects.
Many creators often get tempted to continue crafting ideas and seeking knowledge without actually doing the work. While it may feel good, nothing tangible will come of it until you create something people can experience through sight, touch, taste, or hearing.
Dismissing an idea without trying it is a disservice.
Emotion is often the deciding factor in determining whether a certain pursuit is worth pursuing. However, just because that emotion fades away or maybe things are not working out as expected, it does not necessarily mean that the pursuit is bad. It might just mean that you need to take a break from it for a while and approach it from a different angle.
You never know which seeds are going to work best for you. So it is best to have a lot of them. When you lay them out in front of you, you can see which one speaks the best to you. Also, this process cannot be rushed. You must give that seed time to Germinate
Collecting and planting seeds means you're doing many different projects or opportunities to develop into more significant opportunities. And you might as well try because you do not know which seeds will grow.
Minimize practical decisions such as clothing to free up mental energy for creative work.
Do you have a schedule or a structure for your creative work? By setting up a consistent routine every day, you can work on it without interruptions. You won't have to worry about waiting for inspiration to strike because you've already created a schedule for it to happen.
Discipline and freedom seem like opposites, but they are more like partners. Because if you're more disciplined, then it creates more freedom to create.
Each habit requires focus and deliberate development. Each small thing that we do, especially in creativity, matters in developing the skill.
When inspiration strikes, it's better to get into the zone of your peace and write the whole piece rather than just writing a fraction of it. A full, imperfect but complete piece is always better than a perfect fraction of a piece. Even if the inspiration comes at an inconvenient time, try to grab it and then finish the piece to the best of your ability.
Ride the wave of inspiration for as long as you can. When it strikes, immediately grab hold of it and go with it for as long as you feel it.
Inspiration doesn't just pop out of nowhere. You must actively do things for it to come.
I know I've heard it before and have written it before. But you have to approach your creativity with a childlike mind. And it is very difficult to reach that mind if you have already set yourself in your ways and have closed your mind to the possibility of thinking like a child with their very open curiosity.
If you have preconceived beliefs about what you cannot do, you usually cannot do it. But if you approach your task with the mind of not knowing, then anything can be possible.
Approaching something with a beginner's mind means tackling a task without any preconceived notions or prior experiences. It's a challenging approach to adopt because past experiences tend to influence our actions. However, we can try to approach every task with a beginner's mind.
Patients require us to go with the flow of the natural rhythm of love time rather than trying to rush over it, which could cause us to miss important aspects and create a product that is incomplete or not as good as it could be.
To truly make the most of our efforts, we must approach everything in life with complete focus. If we don't, we risk wasting our time and energy. It's okay to spend extra time and effort on certain tasks if necessary. In fact, doing so may allow us to notice things we missed the first time around. However, we should be sure that we're not missing important details simply because we're not paying attention the first time.
Listening is freedom from accepted limitations.
Listen to things around you as if you're listening through speakers rather than headphones. As it is a more authentic experience. Listen with your whole body, as your ears are not the only organs that hear.
Listen without judgment because it opens possibilities.
Look at both ends of the spectrum of creativity, like Yin and Yang. The opposite side of what you do. It may be just as interesting as what you're already doing. You could use it as an advantage over people who only just focus on one side.
Beware of doing the same things the same way over and over. Just because it is the way that you have done it before
Even if you have failed at a project and completely switch gears, you are still able to use the skills that you learned from that project and apply it to the new environment.
For each creation, you use a template. From what came before, and then you make it your own.
The goal is not to be like everyone else. The goal is to create something that is uniquely yours. Therefore, when you try to follow the rules, you will be like everyone else
Rules are only hopeful as long as they help you. They give you structure where needed to get where you need to be. But rules are meant to be broken in the world of creativity.
Rules in the creative world are usually limitations.
Imagine yourself as the conductor of your own creativity and the universe feeds your creativity as long as you allow it and depend on your intention.
The purpose of the creative act is to awaken something within you first and then awaken something within the other person and that could be completely different than your interpretation.
Our past experiences shape how we are creative. Also, all past works done by other people influence our creativity. It is a collaboration between all that is.
This reminds me of Leonardo da Vinci's habit of procrastinating and doing many other things before returning to the work of art. More the contraction he was working on. Just like the last dinner took him very long to make. Because, at times, he would only come in and stare at it and then make one stroke and leave and go do something else. And then come back and paint a lot.
Do not doubt yourself
There's a big difference between doubting the work and doubting yourself. Doubting yourself is going to have a major negative impact on the way you work. Whereas doubting the work, you can always approach. Work differently and see the areas where you need to make improvements. This is doable.
Sometimes, a part is taken way too seriously. Set the bar low at first, and then you can grow from there.
It's easy to put too much pressure on yourself when working on a creative project. This can be harmful to both your mental health and the final outcome of the project. Instead, try simplifying the project and breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Once you have a solid foundation, you can then build upon it and make the project more complex. With each project, you can gradually increase the scope and importance.
Self-doubt can hinder your creativity, but it can also serve as a motivator to help you overcome it. You can use it to your advantage by preparing yourself better for your creative endeavors. Some highly creative individuals may avoid looking at their own art or listening to their own voices due to their internal self-criticism. However, they must continue to create because it is their passion and identity.
If your inner voice is making a lot of noise and interfering with your creativity, then you must turn it down by focusing on the present moment and get yourself in a state where you can hear the universe calling to you rather than your own inner negative voice.
It's much better to do you than to do what other people tell you to do. If you know that your creative instincts go against how other people do their creativity, then you must stick to your flow rather than others.
You've got to put yourself in the right setting. That is right for you at the right time. For the right thing you are doing, it may be different for each of the different types of activities that you do. Eminem had the TV on in the background while writing his lyrics. At the same time, others may have closed entirely themselves on. They go as far as putting corkboards on their walls, shedding their drapes, and putting earplugs in to block out any sound or light that may distract them. You've got to find your way. That doubles down on your strengths and lessons. The weaknesses that could distract you.
The pattern is ubiquitous and can be noticed in various aspects of popular culture, such as social media news, TV programs, and movies. However, it is not obligatory to conform to it. Being aware of it is enough, and one must decide how to deal with it without being influenced.
Even on gloomy days, it's important to remember that the sun still shines brightly in the sky. In the same way, the information we seek is out there waiting for us. We just need to be aware of its presence and keep searching until we find it.
Save your ideas
You could also record your thoughts of memories as you remember them. Because sometimes they pop out of nowhere.
Another exercise could be writing down your thoughts. Right after waking up, just free, right? And maybe some of your dreams may surface or anything else that could be of value.
One way to explore your subconscious mind and bring out your ideas is by trying out different techniques. For instance, you could try beating a pillow for 5 minutes and then write whatever comes to your mind without directing your thoughts. This way, you can let your thoughts flow freely and capture them on paper. Who knows, you may discover something new or exciting through this process.
Pay attention to your moods and internal and external stimuli
External experiences influence the internal experiences. Many people forget to look at the inner experiences or forget that the internet experiences can be just as unique as the exterior experiences.
We are constantly changing due to our moods and the fact that the cells in our body are being replaced. We are not the same person we were earlier today, in the afternoon, or even five years ago. Sometimes we forget, but then we remember.
Everything around you is changing, and if you take the time to notice it, you will see that it is different, even if it's the same object in your house, such as your plate. It's the same plate, but it may be different. Each time that you meditate, even if it's in the same spot. Things will be different because you will experience different sounds or different smells you may experience.
Spend time in nature and notice how long it's been there. Listen to the sounds, smell the smell, and see the sites. And try to gain wisdom from it's age.
Surrounding yourself with positive people who think positively is essential. The same applies to your thoughts about yourself and the things around you. Therefore, it's crucial to avoid negative people and thoughts and instead focus on surrounding yourself with positive people and having positive thoughts.
Visiting great works of art, cinema, and other masterpieces is inspiring.
I often forget the importance of being present and aware in the moment, which has had a negative impact on my life. Despite not eliminating stress completely, being present helps me to identify the source of stress and figure out how to deal with it.
Whenever you're reading through a page or listening to a conversation or YouTube video. If something pops out at you pay attention to it. Write it down and save that idea. Because it may just be the idea that helps solve your problem.
When you're looking for solutions to problems, look closely around you for clues that might help lead you to the solution.
Many people will see this spiritual world as fluff. But I feel that when you're more spiritual, miracles can happen.
We carry a vast vessel of information within us, and it is important to draw from it and apply it creatively in our lives. When we choose something that stands out, whether it is writing a book or creating a movie, it is the source speaking through us. We must listen to this source and select the ideas that stand out in our vessel of vast information.
If you quiet things on the outside, you can notice things on the inside and a few quiet things on the inside. You can notice things on the outside. Put yourself in the moment and do not think too deeply about it until after the moment is finished.
The awareness of something is not the same thing as studying it. Once you study it, it becomes secondary.
Let your child-like curiosity run free
See the world with childlike curiosity, unobstructed by prior knowledge or bias. Remain open and free.
We must not search for creativity in the sense that we aggressively go for it. We must let it flow freely from us without letting our minds get in the way. It is something that we set out to create.
Creativity can manifest in many forms, from designing architecture to decorating our personal spaces or the writing we produce. It is not limited to public displays and can simply be a personal activity that brings us joy, even if it remains unseen by others. Ideas can come to us in a flash of inspiration or from a more deliberate, structured process. Regardless of where it comes from, creativity is an inherent quality that anyone can possess. It can take many shapes and forms and can be found anywhere.