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You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

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11–20 of 103 posts

Re: You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

#12
post #4

This seems like nonsense. The author claims that we're overwhelmed by the volume of content we consume and that's why we can't be creative. So the suggested solution is to do more work to consume content? That doesn't make any sense to me.

Exactly right, this article wrongly imagines we can treat the problem by exercising the problem. Learn to sit still and give your deep mind a chance to be present, this might lead to actual creativity.

Re: You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

#13
I think that we are being overwhelmed and it hurts us in more ways than our creativity. We are moving through the world in constant distraction.

Until recently, when I was doing something around the house, no matter what, I was listening to music, podcasts, or books.

I found that it seemed like it was taking for ever for me to do the simplest tasks. After a while... I figured that I must be going slower because I was always doing two things at once. After a few weeks of doing the dishes without ear buds in, I don't think I'll ever go back. I am not able to focus better and get things done.

If you are like I was, and you are always inundated with some distraction, try moving through the world without it.

Re: You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

#14
post #4

This seems like nonsense. The author claims that we're overwhelmed by the volume of content we consume and that's why we can't be creative. So the suggested solution is to do more work to consume content? That doesn't make any sense to me.

Agreed, these people who write about productivity make everything so complicated. We don't need books or systems for this. Just read and watch what interests you and ignore everything else.

Re: You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

#16
post #4

This seems like nonsense. The author claims that we're overwhelmed by the volume of content we consume and that's why we can't be creative. So the suggested solution is to do more work to consume content? That doesn't make any sense to me.

Also the recommendation to block content to curate your feed and not just scroll past it. Does he even realize what he is suggesting? That the user curates the social media feed to be more tailored and thus addictive. It won’t shorten just because you block stuff.

The actual cure to that crap is to fill your day with healthier activities so that you’ll end up surprising yourself you hadn’t browsed Instagram today.

Re: You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

#17
I agree with the title, but I wish the solution was less about a second brain and more about giving ourselves space.

The past week I've been getting burned in meetings, and just a whole lot of "to-do". And I'm just not as creative anymore because I don't have the room to be bored and ponder (which I like)

Re: You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

#18
You know all the huge scientists and mathematicians etc from ye olden days?

They spent years on that stuff, mostly just meandering around the world or their country, letting their brain ruminate on the issue at hand slowly. They had actual hobbies that weren't related to their craft and a bunch of free time.

Very rarely were major discoveries done by working long days and just forcing it.

Re: You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

#19

I think that we are being overwhelmed and it hurts us in more ways than our creativity. We are moving through the world in constant distraction. Until recently, when I was doing something around the house, no matter what, I was listening to music, podcasts, or books. I found that it seemed like it was taking for ever for me to do the simplest tasks. After a while... I figured that I must be going slower because I was…

I think it’s not unlike other addictions. You end up using constant external stimulus to not have to deal with whatever is actually bothering you in your life.

The concept I was missing basically since smartphones become a thing was this thing called “solitude”

Re: You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

#20

I think that we are being overwhelmed and it hurts us in more ways than our creativity. We are moving through the world in constant distraction. Until recently, when I was doing something around the house, no matter what, I was listening to music, podcasts, or books. I found that it seemed like it was taking for ever for me to do the simplest tasks. After a while... I figured that I must be going slower because I was…

>> because I was always doing two things at once

I think this is part of it; aside from basic system 1 stuff (like breathing) we're actually flipping between 2 or more things constantly. Sure I can listen to music while I go for a walk, but I spend 2 minutes getting set up before I start, and I slow down whenever I need to change anything.

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