The Practice

Creativity isn’t a talent—it’s a practice that demands trust, effort, and persistence. Are you ready to commit to your art like a true professional?

1. Creativity Is Personal—Trust Your Unique Process

Creativity is not reserved for the gifted. Everyone has the potential to channel creative energy into meaningful work. Yet, many feel stuck because they try to mimic others rather than forging their own path. What works for someone else may not work for you. The only “right” way forward is the one you craft for yourself.

The world often values results over the process, pressuring creatives to chase quick success instead of focusing on their personal journey. True creativity emerges when you trust your own methods, even if they seem imperfect or disorganized compared to others. When you embrace your process, your path to compelling work becomes clearer.

Even seasoned creatives face self-doubt, convinced their efforts are futile. But it’s important to separate feelings from actions. By simply showing up and doing the work, you reaffirm your commitment to realizing your potential. Trust your actions to lead you forward, even when motivation wanes.

Examples

• Doodling, singing to yourself, or jotting notes: small acts of creativity that build confidence in your process.
• The Bhagavad Gita advocates following your own path, even imperfectly, rather than mimicking others.
• J.K. Rowling received rejection after rejection before trusting her unique story to resonate with readers.

2. Creativity Requires Generosity—Share Your Work

Creativity can feel deeply personal, but your work isn’t complete until it’s shared. Many creatives shy away from offering their work to an audience because of fear or perfectionism. Yet sharing not only helps you grow; it’s what gives your work its purpose.

Some creatives hoard ideas, fearing they’ll run out, but creativity is boundless. The more you offer your work to others, the more inspiration and ideas you’ll gain. Sharing doesn’t deplete your resources; it replenishes them, creating opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Selling your work doesn’t make it less “pure.” On the contrary, putting your work into the world allows it to create meaningful change. Stand-up comedians, for instance, risk bombing at open mics to refine their art, learning from audience reactions rather than hiding drafts away.

Examples

• Stand-up comedians test their “half-baked” jokes live, regardless of potential embarrassment.
• Visual artist Vincent van Gogh created a legacy despite actively seeking feedback from contemporaries.
• Writers such as Stephen King credit early negative reviews with refining their storytelling.

3. Treat Your Creativity Like a Career, Not a Hobby

Creative pursuits often start as hobbies, but making them into careers requires discipline. You must treat your art seriously, just like any profession—devoting time, accepting payment, and curating the right projects and clients.

The first step is consistent effort. Even an hour a day can accumulate into substantial progress over time. Next, value your creativity by charging for your work. Being paid reflects the social value of your art and provides resources to continue evolving. Lastly, choose projects and clients thoughtfully. Boring work leads to creative stagnation, while ambitious collaborations inspire growth.

Examples

• Dedicate an uninterrupted hour daily to writing, painting, or music, just like gym-goers commit to fitness routines.
• The lawyer analogy: Just as lawyers expect fair wages despite loving their jobs, so should creatives.
• ICON designer Susan Kare turned constraints into opportunities by working within Apple’s rigid tech limitations.

4. Define Your Artistic Intent Before Beginning

Your artistic intent influences the entire creative process. Without knowing the purpose of your work, you risk falling into chaos or producing something directionless. Clear intention ensures your project serves its audience meaningfully.

Start by asking who your ideal audience is. Targeting everyone dilutes your message; instead, focus narrowly, knowing this core group will amplify your work’s reach. Then, determine the desired effect of your project. Whether it’s to provoke thought, entertain, or drive action, identifying this purpose early helps you create work that delivers.

Examples

• A painting designed to evoke calmness might use cool colors and balanced composition.
• Advertising campaigns succeed when their target audience feels directly spoken to, such as Nike’s “Just Do It.”
• Iconic filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock meticulously tailored each frame for maximum suspense and emotional engagement.

5. Overcome Creative Block—Forget Perfection

Creative blocks often stem from perfectionism. The belief that your work must be flawless prevents you from making progress. Loosen these self-imposed expectations, and you’ll see the way forward.

Look at Bruce Springsteen, who embraces raw authenticity over perfection in his live performances. His fans cherish the honesty rather than pinpointing flaws. Similarly, legendary Steely Dan produced polished studio albums but missed out on years of live performance opportunities due to perfectionist fears.

Reject the chase for flawless execution. Embrace messiness and allow your creative process some imperfection. Often, imperfect efforts carry authenticity and energy that polished work can’t achieve.

Examples

• Springsteen’s concerts thrive on raw energy and mistakes, keeping fans invested.
• Steely Dan’s initial refusal to tour live hindered their connection with broader audiences.
• NaNoWriMo inspires budding writers to complete “messy” novels, proving that producing anything is better than nothing.

6. Criticism Teaches, But Set Boundaries

Feedback is a double-edged sword. Thoughtful criticism can refine your work, but unreasonable critiques shouldn’t prevent you from moving forward. Strike the balance between being open to feedback and ignoring toxic negativity.

Generous critics—those who genuinely engage with your work and offer constructive suggestions—are invaluable. Sam Raimi, director of Spider-Man, improved his early films based on his peers’ boos during test screenings. However, not all criticism deserves attention. Trolls and irrelevant opinions can distract and demoralize creators.

Choose carefully who you listen to. Weigh criticism with your artistic goals and intentions in mind, so it improves your work without derailing your confidence.

Examples

• Director Sam Raimi reworked poorly received scenes until boos died out, improving his storytelling.
• Mozart faced harsh detractors early on, yet his work continues to stand the test of time.
• Cartoonist Drew Dernavich’s mountain of rejections didn’t stop him from achieving accolades.

7. Surround Yourself with Creative Cohorts

Creativity thrives in collaboration or proximity to other creatives. Sharing ideas, feedback, and mutual encouragement accelerates growth. Many artistic legends didn’t emerge in isolation; they were part of vibrant movements.

Whether it’s Greenwich Village for Bob Dylan or Renaissance Florence for da Vinci, strong creative communities provide essential support. Find your people, online or offline, to create alongside, bounce ideas off of, and learn from. They will push you to perform at your highest level.

Examples

• Da Vinci’s collaborations within Florence’s art scene influenced many masterpieces.
• Dylan’s transformation into an iconic musician was fueled by Greenwich Village’s support.
• Online communities today connect filmmakers, writers, and game developers, inspiring shared growth.

8. Your Limitations Breed Creativity

Limitations often feel like barriers, but they can spark creative breakthroughs. When REM’s guitarist switched to a mandolin, an instrument he barely knew, the band crafted an album that propelled them to superstardom.

External restrictions—time limits, budgets, or unfamiliar tools—pave the way to innovation. Rather than resisting constraints, embrace them as drivers of ingenuity. They push your creative brain to explore routes you’d never otherwise find.

Examples

• REM’s Out of Time album, shaped by limiting instrument choices, created their biggest hit.
• Apple’s Susan Kare used a 32x32 grid to design now-iconic visuals.
• Picasso’s blue period emerged under financial and emotional limitations, redefining modern art.

9. Excellence Requires Strategy and Mastery

Reaching the top of your creative field isn’t about innate brilliance. It’s about commitment, smart choices, and focus. By focusing on your strengths and studying your craft deeply, you optimize your chances for greatness.

Identify your superpower: one skill or idea where you excel. When you specialize, you differentiate yourself. Additionally, immerse yourself in your field’s history, techniques, and trends. Mastering your domain, both past and present, sets you apart.

Examples

• Pianist Glenn Gould stood out with his near-obsessive immersion in classical music intricacies.
• Bob Dylan’s songwriting gained strength from studying early folk music.
• FedEx dominates its niche with quick, reliable delivery, not diversified services.

Takeaways

1. Reserve at least one hour each day to work on your creative practice, no matter how small the effort may seem.
2. Seek out a creative community to engage with and grow alongside. Inspiration often arises from collective effort.
3. View constraints as opportunities to innovate rather than limitations holding you back.