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You're not lacking creativity, you're overwhelmed

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

#41

Post by tharkun__ »

lelanthran wrote: post #25
FigurativeVoid wrote: post #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…

I listen to white noise, on headphones, when I want to think. Might be my imagination, but I think it's made a difference.

White noise is very distracting for me. Can't sleep with it on. It actually "hurts" as well - as in it feels like there's something pushing on my hearing constantly. I understand it helps some people but not me and if someone suggests using it to drown out other stuff that does not work for me. It does not make things better. Just bad differently. I need silence.

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

#42

Post by [deleted] »

wintogreen74 wrote: post #23
catchmeifyoucan wrote: post #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)

Boredom is such a great motivator. The problem is kids are never bored anymore (for real; I'm sure they still say they are...)

[deleted]

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

#43

Post by yamazakiwi »

wintogreen74 wrote: post #23
catchmeifyoucan wrote: post #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)

Boredom is such a great motivator. The problem is kids are never bored anymore (for real; I'm sure they still say they are...)

Maybe that's just for children?

I'm bored everyday at work and it never motivates me. Boredom drives me towards the easy things just to kill time. The outcome is usually waiting for the cause of boredom to end. (Work)

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

#44

Post by FigurativeVoid »

m463 wrote: post #39
FigurativeVoid wrote: post #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…

I use earplugs and it helps immensely getting into the zone and staying there. (I get 3M ear classic NRR 33 earplugs 200 pairs at a time)

This is a great suggestion.

I've also heard that people who participate it memory contest will use blinders so they can better focus on the task at hand.

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

#46

Post by makeitdouble »

FigurativeVoid wrote: post #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…

The obvious other side of that coin: of the two things we're doing at once, one of them is neither fun nor engaging. Making it the thing to 100% focus on will also mean it it's now a stronger candidate to procrastination, and just won't be done at all.

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

#47

Post by projectazorian »

spieswl wrote: post #34
catchmeifyoucan wrote: post #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)

I think the content of the article is totally orthogonal to the problem the title supposedly addresses. I was immediately excited to read this but then found no relation to what the article talks about. Content curation? Really? We're not overwhelmed with content, we're overwhelmed with noise.

Yes and curation is the process by which one can identify valuable content among the noise.

As someone with a somewhat creative job, and a creative hobby on the side, the concept resonates with me. But maybe it's not universally applicable.

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

#48

Post by BagelGuy »

yamazakiwi wrote: post #43
wintogreen74 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Boredom is such a great motivator. The problem is kids are never bored anymore (for real; I'm sure they still say they are...)

Maybe that's just for children? I'm bored everyday at work and it never motivates me. Boredom drives me towards the easy things just to kill time. The outcome is usually waiting for the cause of boredom to end. (Work)

Boredom + Freedom = Creativity.

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

#49

Post by yamazakiwi »

BagelGuy wrote: post #48
yamazakiwi wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe that's just for children? I'm bored everyday at work and it never motivates me. Boredom drives me towards the easy things just to kill time. The outcome is usually waiting for the cause of boredom to end. (Work)

Boredom + Freedom = Creativity.

I see, the missing link is not age, it's freedom.

I myself do a bad job of being bored, even when freedom is provided. My reaction is reinforced due to how often I am compelled to deal with boredom without freedom.

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