Category: Creativity
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I wrote every day for 365 days. Here are my results and 5 insights
In February 2022, I started #the100dayproject with the goal of writing a new blog post every day. (Here’s post #1.) Day 100 came, and I didn’t stop. I was having way too much fun. I’ve since written 110,126 words, enough to fill two nonfiction books. Over 88,106 people have visited my website. I’ve often been…
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Contentions: Writing to understand
Writing can be a tool for marketing, creating media, and building an audience. But it’s definitely not the most valuable use of it. Many people and teams are constantly patterning themselves after what they see and believe to be successful. That’s because if they didn’t mimic the best practices, they don’t know what they would…
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Shuffle mode
Sometimes, an insight reveals itself from a simple shuffle. An example includes rearranging letters in a game of Scrabble or Letter Tycoon; it’ll prompt your brain to see new words or recognize new possibilities. This applies to all sorts of creative work; sometimes, it’s worth rolling the dice. Let the magic of controlled sloppiness happen.
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Thin layers
To elaborate on yesterday’s post: what looks like a simple, thin, layer can still be powerful (and take a lot of work!). See also improve the interface.
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Unsticking
If a work gets stuck, and you need to unstick it, the best way to do it is almost always to make it smaller and simpler. What’s keeping it from launching now, this instant? What’s essential that you need to add? (vs. What is just a smart way of saying, “I’m scared”? What can you…
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#The100DayProject 2023
Last year, as part of #The100DayProject, I started writing every day here at my blog for 100 days. That habit has extended to today. It’s been one of the best things I’ve ever tried, and I’d highly encourage you to do the same. This year’s #The100DayProject starts February 22, 2023!
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Practice vs. perfection
If you’re wondering if you should’ve signed that email off differently, or worried that you didn’t convey a certain detail the ideal way, or if this is your only shot at something, you’re missing the bigger picture. When the stakes feel too high, something is off. Perfection shouldn’t be the expectation for a positive outcome. …
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8 lessons on creativity I learned from Virgil Abloh
Here are 8 lessons, and accompanying quotes, from Virgil Abloh to offer a different perspective in how you approach your creative work: 1. Don’t wait to get chosen; start where you are, and do it yourself When Virgil and Kanye interned at Fendi in 2009, the fashion world wasn’t ready to give them a real…
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Practice improvising
The need for consistency, preparation, and routine is the foundation of a solid creative practice. It’s also equally important to be able to improvise and adapt to work in whatever environment you’re in. That way, you can work whenever inspiration strikes. Your need for routine won’t become an excuse for you not working. Earlier in…