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John Cleese on How to Make Your Life More Creative

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Re: John Cleese on How to Make Your Life More Creative

#3

Post by goldfeld »

Since I have watched this talk, I have been integrating the open/closed modality to the pomodoro workflow. Sure, it isn't setting aside an hour and a half as Cleese suggests, but I think it's a far better use of left over pomodoro time then the standard "over learn" advice. I get to see what I just did under different lenses, and it sets me up for a more relaxed break.

Re: John Cleese on How to Make Your Life More Creative

#5

Post by technoslut »

ed209 wrote: post #2

One of the best talks on creativity I have ever heard. Worth a listen whether you're a designer, developer, writer etc This is an especially good video for managers to watch. In fact, it should be mandatory.

I would agree if the only goal was to reinvigorate people who were creative to begin with.

However, my concerns lie with the majority who aren't creative because they weren't taught this at home or by the school system when this is becoming more and more important in an economy that is difficult to find a job. It's difficult to teach anyone to be creative past the time they graduate college. They become too set in whatever ideology they believe in.

Re: John Cleese on How to Make Your Life More Creative

#6

Post by ed209 »

technoslut wrote: post #5
ed209 wrote: post #2

One of the best talks on creativity I have ever heard. Worth a listen whether you're a designer, developer, writer etc This is an especially good video for managers to watch. In fact, it should be mandatory.

I would agree if the only goal was to reinvigorate people who were creative to begin with. However, my concerns lie with the majority who aren't creative because they weren't taught this at home or by the school system when this is becoming more and more important in an economy that is difficult to find a job. It's difficult to teach anyone to be creative past the time they graduate college. They become too set in wh…

Everyone has the ability to be creative. Being creative has been part of human history for thousands of years.

The problem is more often that people aren't empowered to think creatively. You often get handed a set of tasks to complete or instructions to follow.

Some people naturally break out of this and follow their own path to accomplish the task. That's why it's so important for managers to watch this and understand they need to create an environment where people can get into the "open" mode as John puts it.

I agree that throughout life and education we've been taught to think and act within certain parameters, that's why I love this video so much, it actually gives ideas on how to create an environment that fosters creativity.

Re: John Cleese on How to Make Your Life More Creative

#7

Post by joshstaiger »

There is a better, longer version of the video here: http://vimeo.com/18913413

He elaborates on collaborating with other people, connecting disperate ideas, and managing creative people

or

“How to stamp out creativity in the rest of the organization, get a bit of respect going.”

Re: John Cleese on How to Make Your Life More Creative

#9

Post by kosma »

balsam wrote: post #8

Charles Bukowski begs to differ... [1] (but Charles Bukowski is no ordinary creative) [1] http://zenpencils.com/comic/97-charles-bukowski-air-and-ligh...

If you are born as a creative person, like Bukowski, you will create this time and space, no matter what. For the rest of us, Cleese tells us about the importance of creating them - while Bukowski warns that they're just a tool, not a solution. Likewise, you buy a set of pencils because you have an urge to draw; not the other way round.

Re: John Cleese on How to Make Your Life More Creative

#10

Post by astine »

balsam wrote: post #8

Charles Bukowski begs to differ... [1] (but Charles Bukowski is no ordinary creative) [1] http://zenpencils.com/comic/97-charles-bukowski-air-and-ligh...

Bukowski is talking about something different. Cleese is talking about how to get into the creative or 'open' mode, whereas Bukowski is talking about people who use their circumstances to justify their lack of performance. Cleese only suggests an hour and a half a day of alone time which is completely doable for even for many people who have a job and a family and the drive to create something.
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