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Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

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Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

#1
I believe that the difference between "creative" people and the rest is this: the former have COURAGE to try out their ideas whereas the latter only think of novel ideas, and then continue to do what everybody else does.

I find it isn't about how much you believe in some idea, but how willing you are to risk pursing something that probably won't yield what you expect. Curiosity helps. Being low maintenance helps. Ego doesn't. Ego wants to be sure we look like we know what we're doing at all times.

Do you agree?

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

#2
Sorry, based on personal experience, I don't agree at all.

1. I believe that there is a link between ego/confidence and being creative/innovative. To consider or suggest doing something different --whatever the domain-- takes self-belief - the confidence that your ideas are better than the prevailing status quo that the rest of the world is satisfied with.

2. Mostly, in addition to #1, I see being creative/innovative as just a mental habit. Some people examine the world around them critically, and want to improve some aspect or other, while others don't. Practise this sufficiently often, and you'll improve, as with most pursuits.

(1 & 2 would become a virtuous cycle - you believe that you can improve things; you more regularly look for opportunities to do so; you [get better at] find[ing] them; you [or others] provide positive reinforcement.)

3. Personal belief: there may also be correlations with certain personality types. For example, people with certain traits may be more prone to noting imperfections in their experience of the world, leading directly to the thought processes which result in ideas for possible improvements.

4. I think you're conflating being creative with actively pursuing generated ideas or opportunities. The difference may just be circumstantial: that someone lacks the financial wherewithal to pursue an idea, or for personal reasons (e.g. conflicting responsibilities) can't dedicate the time or energy to pursuing that idea. Action ≠ creativity. In fact, the opposite may often be true: it's well noted that creative people need to be teamed with people that can/do execute their ideas fully (e.g. 'implementers' and 'completer-finishers' in Belbin's team-roles).

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

#3
> Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

Smoking marijuana

I like to plan my stuff when I'm high because it put me in some of the most interesting adventures I've been. If you are a daydreamer, it is also good because you will have more fun with your wasted creativity.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

#6

After years of working in an extremely left-brained field, I find myself longing to engage in right-brained activities outside work - but it's almost as if the right brain has atrophied. It's kind of depressing.

it _is_ depressing. but you can work your way up from being nothing to being a second-rate hobbyist. just find a medium that doesn't feel like a chore to you and keep challenging yourself to do better. that also sounds a bit sad, but I think its worth it, even if a bit late.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

#7
Creative pursuit is about the release of ego, freeing yourself of it imho. I have spent almost 3 weeks for example, 2 hours a day or so minimum, just to reach the point where I can play a 4 minute song on guitar at 1/3rd of the bpm needed. It is not just so I can look like I know what I am doing for 4 minutes eventually, it is to prevent myself from letting ego grab hold and focus on unhelpful wants and desires during this process of self development.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

#8
for me, if I exercise well and keep my circulation going, I tend to have better ideas. I try to fast walk every morning for 2 miles. This gets my mind thinking.

trying lots of stuff even if its just throw away small stuff really helps in the initial stages.

you need time to focus on the bigger projects. If you are in a job or some other situation where you are always putting out fires, you will have less of a chance to build things.

Re: Ask HN: How do you stay creative?

#9
I think the key to growing long-term creative ability is getting in the habit of daily creation. For me I build a lot of HTML + CSS demos, so that means starting my day by experimenting and looking things up in the spec, then building some demos with what I learn. :)
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