Let's dive into a paradox that's been on my mind lately: the idea that in a world of boundless creative freedom, we can sometimes feel utterly... stuck. It's like standing in front of a canvas that stretches endlessly in every direction, and feeling overwhelmed about where to place that first brushstroke. Sound familiar? You see, while the allure of unlimited possibilities and unfettered exploration is undeniably seductive, it can also be paralyzing. It's like being... read more ›
21 reads
Sep
25
Jan
11
A lot of my breakthrough creative thoughts come to me when least expected. I've talked about "finding creativity" and "creative inspiration" all over the place... on podcasts like this and this (twice for example) or given a keynote on it here at SWSW. That said, I've also learned from an entire life in the trenches as an artist what DOESN'T contribute to them (abusing myself, bad head space, partying too much), but more importantly, what... read more ›
9.8K reads
Nov
18
James Clear is a writer, speaker and the bestselling author of one of my absolute favorite books, Atomic Habits. His work on decision-making, continuous improvement and personal development has been instrumental in my life, but it's his focus on habits that fires me up the most. If you've read Creative Calling or listened to this show in the past, you've probably heard me describe the creative pyramid. On the bottom of that pyramid is mindset,... read more ›
832 reads
Feb
21
Todd Henry is a creator for creators. He makes tools and resources that help creatives succeed, personally and professionally. His four books, The Accidental Creative, Louder Than Words, Die Empty, and his newest Herding Tigers, cover all angles of succeeding as a creative; from finding your voice, to being creative on demand, to managing teams of creatives. He’s an arms dealer for the creative revolution. Whether you’re just starting a project and aren’t sure how... read more ›
3.5K reads
Nov
25
Here are 7 habits that I use to help my creativity: 1. Get into adventures. Instead of saying no, say yes. Whether it's agreeing going to the South China Sea or to Sundance festival or the grocery store. 2. Devour popular culture. Examine the work of other artists, movies, books, magazines, the interwebs. 3. Take pictures of things. I photograph things I see in the world that inspire me and use them for reference. 4.... read more ›
16.3K reads
Jan
15
We're into the new year and everyone's talking about resolutions and goals... lose weight, quit drinking, teach yourself some new skills. Yet something like 1 in 3 folks give up before the end of the first month. What gives? I'm cutting to the punchline on this one: 'Change' by itself sounds so big and ominous. But it's not. At its core, change is just making the 'right' decision toward the outcome you want enough time... read more ›
9.1K reads