{The Daily Creative is a regular-ish series of blog posts that explore finding creative inspiration in the everyday.}
The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into your mind, but how to get the old ones out. – Dee Hock
I have to agree this is true.
I mean, think about it – how often have you been inspired by something another creative you admire is doing/has done? So much so that you had to race right into your moleskin or notes app after you saw/read/watched the thing to scribble down a few thoughts for something of your own you would create?
Pretty often, right?
As creatives, our problem seldom seems to be a lack of ideas, but rather the gap between having the idea and executing it.
And if you’re like me, I’m guessing a lot of that has to do with some old thoughts that are stuck in your noggin.
Thoughts like:
- I could never do this as well as _________ does, so you know what, never mind.
- They’ll think I’m weird.
- It’s already been done.
- Come to think of it, I really don’t have time for another creative project.
When I have thoughts like these I know they’re coming from fear of rejection, resistance, or my inner critic.
However.
When I immerse myself in the creative work of others, especially in a museum or art gallery setting for example, I believe anything is possible. And I’ll likely make some notes right then and there on my iPhone for something I want to explore in my own work. It’s only when I review those notes later at home and try to begin the new project that resistance, fear or criticism creep in.
Old thoughts, indeed.
What do you think? Do you have recurring “old thoughts” that get in the way of creating as much as you’d like to? Thoughts that stop you from doing something you were excited to do until it was time to actually get to work? I’d love to hear your insights in the comments!
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