I just re-stumbled across this today, it is a really powerful video and certainly makes you think (I hope). I guess it is easy to just say, do what you love and money will follow, but I certainly think there is a massive element of truth in it. Of course we can't do what we want all the time, but I think the words in this speech help at least make us think about what we should be doing, and how we could do it!Caution, there are a few naughty words....you have been warnedBe inspiredPeaceNeil
New music is rewarding for the brain
A very interesting piece and of course, I am an advocate of listening to new music! To quote the article on the BBC news website.
Using MRI scans, a Canadian team of scientists found that areas in the reward centre of the brain became active when people heard a song for the first time.
So, do you fancy some new music to reward yourself on rainy Friday afternoon?? Then you really need to check out thisPeaceNeil
Mind Wandering and Creativity
Let your mind wander!I have just watched a fascinating documentary about 'The Creative Brain: How Insight Works', which provided some fantastic information about how creativity works, and how, most importantly that when the mind wanders it is at it's most creative. The programme looks issues around that ' moment when a light goes on in your head. In a sudden flash of inspiration, a new idea is born', something I am sure we can all relate to. I found it particularly interesting that the mind seemed to be at it's most creative when the person was not just doing nothing at all, but mindless (no pun intended) tasks (e.g. arrange bricks into the same colour), this would explain why perhaps we have our best ideas in the shower or out for a walk.I really recommend it, if you can access it.PeaceNeil
Creative setbacks, criticism and dealing with unhelpful remarks
One of the hardest things to deal with when you offer your creative work, soul, being, performance up for judgement is dealing with the criticism that comes with it, and more and more nasty and hateful comments which also seem more prevalent these days. Today, more and more of us are putting our work online, getting our art out there, and the internet is the most amazing empowering tool to allow a new generation of creatives an outlet for their passions, their soul, their art.There has never been a better time to be a creative, to grab the power back when it comes to your creations and find your creative path. Having said that, there is a downside, a downside that isn't just limited to comments on the internet, but also something that professional creatives have to deal with, usually on a daily basis, and that is negative criticisms which are outright bashing of your work. Usually in the form of unhelpful and nasty comments, and personal attacks on something that we no doubt hold very dear. It is really hard (and extremely unhelpful!) to be told that your work is 'crap', 'rubbish' or 's**t', or to be told that you have no idea how to do your job.So how do we deal with this? What can we learn from these negative experiences? On the whole, and particularly when it comes to the internet, it is easy to be a critic and it is easy to have an opinion, and with access to the billions of people on this planet these opinions will vary considerably. Are you trying to please 6 billion people? Or just those who really appreciate what you do? In life there are always 50 + shades of grey in an opinion or view and it is important to remember that. Are you satisfied with the piece of work? That should always be the first opinion to listen to, if the answer is NO then fix it, change it, adjust it until you are happy and satisfied. Of course, sometimes we are never fully satisfied and this is our creative cross to bare. But, we should always be learning from the work we create and trying to find new and better way to improve on what we are doing, or looking at past work to see how we would like to do things differently.Back to the internet, it is easy to sit behind a keyboard anonymously and type hurtful and unhelpful comments, knowing full well that they are 'anonymous' and probably wouldn't actually say such things if we met them personally. But when the cristism is face to face from someone we know, that is when it is harder, and I try to take the following approach. Taking an NLP strategy, ask yourself the following questions
- What's in it for them?
- What is their motivation?
- What are they aiming to achieve?
- How is their life right now - happy or unhappy?
- What are they getting from this?
- What do they want from me right now?
- Is anything in their comment justified?
Listen to the way the comment is pharsed, is it helpful?We all need constructive criticism to improve, all of us. Listen to the tone....is the comment simply...you're rubbish? If so, ignore it.Is it along the lines of 'oh my god, how can you do that...don't you know what you are doing?'...If so, ignore it.Sometimes just ask the simple question, the person who is providing you a nasty remark, unhelpful critsism etc, who are they and what have they done? Sometimes, it is easy to be an armchair critic, perhaps resting on laurels from yesteryear, it is always easy to find fault in anything if you set your mind to it. If you respect the person and their work, then it is easier to take criticism, in fact some of us would give anything for our peers to view our work, but hopefully they would give us something more useful then....you are rubbish!If there is one lesson to be learnt, I would say it is just do i, create your 'art' give it to the world. If you are happy with it, then that is enough! Create art, as Seth Godin would say, make it yours, believe in it, believe in yourself, strive to improve everyday, be your toughest criticPeaceNeil
If you only watch one video on being a creative or freelancer
I stumbled across this speech/lecture this morning, found through one of my very useful Google Alerts (I wholeheartedly suggest setting up Google Alerts if you are a creative/freelance as they can be a fantastic source of current information on your topics of interest and seeing what your competition is up to too!). The talk was entitled 'Secret freelancer knowledge' by the author Neil Gaiman, and he discusses his life as a 'creative' and how to avoid some of the pitfalls that we all seem to fall into as creatives or freelancers. There are some really important messages in this video and a do feel that if you do one thing this year to focus your mind on your creative endeavours, then it should be to watch this short film. There are so many strong messages contained within that video, and it has been a large wake up call for me (another one!).EnjoyPeaceNeil
The sadness of the 'office' factory
This is something I have been going on about for a very long time, something I find very sad and also something which I have experienced on a number of occasions in my life and something which motivates me to not let it happen again. Unfortunately, it is happening for me a bit at the moment, but I hope not for too long. I have written about it before in a couple of occasions, here and here. It looks like it is going to be an amazing SXSW this year and hopefully I'll be able to make it one day!Viva la revolution..PeaceNeil
Creative Motivation
It is hard to believe that I only stopped my Piece a day/Daily Creation challenge less than a month and a half ago. I was producing a piece of music everyday for over a year, and now since I have stopped I haven't produced a single tune!! It is pretty scandalous really, all the usual excuses start creeping back in....too busy, too tired, too whatever! It is pretty terrible really, it is no excuse! For me it shows what a valuable exercise piece a day was, forcing myself to do something everyday. It draws parallels with exercise I guess and all those other things it is easy to put off rather than do....guitar practice, language learning etc....such as shame that 'work' work sucks everything out of us to the point where doing creative activities or activities beneficial to our health, wellbeing, further development takes a momentous struggle or crazy daily challenge to do?I just stumbled across a couple of pieces I quite like from that period....Enjoy!andPeaceNeil