It’s a different year, so I suppose that it’s time for another blog post. It’s always been my intention to write these more often than I do, and if you look at my Dropbox folder, you’ll see a lot of posts that have been started, but as you can see below, few have seen the light of day. Those that do are incredibly irregular [in terms of timing vs. content]. I’ll use this as a parable about the creative process.
Many times, the blank screen (or canvas, notebook, whiteboard, stockpot, etc.) is intimidating. Once prompted, ideas may flow freely, but the specter of freedom can sometimes be daunting.
I was very fortunate to recently work for a company where I regularly needed to come up with copy, marketing slogans, brand assets, etc. The consistent challenge brought forth some pretty good work, if, as my own worst critic, I say so myself. It was a perfect outlet as there was always a new challenge to conquer, with a specific goal. In this case, the needed end goal was the constraint that caused the work to happen.
It taught me that the creative well is always being refreshed, and if you keep yourself open to the process, there is always something new around the corner.
Indeed, the lack of blog entries hasn’t been for the lack of ideas. In a way, it was the polar opposite – too many ideas, so they just caused gridlock, and it was easier to punt than figure out how to clear things up and write this on a regular basis. Oh, I’m sure I’ll tap into those creative stores soon enough to come up with a plethora of excuses as to why I haven’t updated this more often, but for now, let me bask in the realization that writing about creativity is fun. It’s cathartic. It’s soul-baring, And, at least for me, it’s long overdue. I hope that you feel that way too.
Stay tuned for more. Promise or threat? I’ll let you decide!
