A Productive Conversation PM Talks S2E8: Creativity
Aug 13, 2025
Join Patrick Rhone, a productivity and creativity expert, as he shares timeless insights that can spark inspiration for anyone feeling creatively blocked. They discuss how constraints can actually enhance creativity and why perfectionism is often a barrier to flow. Rhone emphasizes that creativity thrives on both time and space, revealing unique ways to turn mundane tasks into opportunities for innovation. This conversation is a refreshing reminder that creativity is essential for all, not just artists, and invites listeners to embrace imperfection as a superpower.
42:12
Hurry Kills Creative Access
- Speed and hurry create friction that blocks creative access and focus.
- Creatives need to reduce hurried pacing to reclaim creative capacity.
Protect Time By Structuring Days
- Structure and decide your time blocks ahead of busy periods to protect creative hours.
- Adapt schedules when work spikes, and accept trade-offs to preserve some creative time.
Constraints And Space Fuel Creativity
- Constraints can sharpen creativity by forcing selective choices and limits.
- Both time and physical mental space are required for deeper creative work.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 4min
Balancing Creativity and Constraints
04:15 • 12min
Embracing Creativity in Everyday Tasks
16:40 • 2min
Navigating the Generational Gap in Work Perspective
18:43 • 2min
Creativity in Daily Tasks
20:24 • 20min
Engaging Conversations and Productivity Insights
40:33 • 2min
#10
• Mentioned in 317 episodes
Getting Things Done
David Allen
Getting Things Done (GTD) is a personal productivity system developed by David Allen.
The book provides a detailed methodology for managing tasks, projects, and information, emphasizing the importance of capturing all tasks and ideas, clarifying their meaning, organizing them into actionable lists, reviewing the system regularly, and engaging in the tasks.
The GTD method is designed to reduce stress and increase productivity by externalizing tasks and using a trusted system to manage them.
The book is divided into three parts, covering the overview of the system, its implementation, and the deeper benefits of integrating GTD into one's work and life.
#86
• Mentioned in 119 episodes
Slow Productivity
The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
Cal Newport
In this book, Cal Newport draws on the habits and mindsets of historical figures like Galileo, Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, and Georgia O’Keefe to propose a new approach to productivity.
He argues against the modern culture of 'pseudo-productivity,' where busyness is mistaken for actual productivity.
Instead, Newport advocates for 'slow productivity,' which involves doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality.
The book combines cultural criticism with practical advice to help readers transform their work habits and achieve more sustainable and meaningful accomplishments.
#199
• Mentioned in 68 episodes
Steal like an artist
10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
Austin Kleon
This book, which began as a speech given by Austin Kleon to college students, expands into a manifesto for creativity.
It outlines ten transformative principles such as 'Steal like an artist' (honoring, studying, and transforming ideas), 'Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things,' and 'Use your hands' (emphasizing physical work).
Kleon argues that creativity is not original but builds on what came before, and he provides practical tips and inspiring concepts for artists, writers, musicians, and anyone generating creative work.
#22
• Mentioned in 226 episodes
The War of Art
Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
Steven Pressfield
In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors.
The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.
#158
• Mentioned in 83 episodes
The Creative Act
A Way of Being
Rick Rubin
In *The Creative Act: A Way of Being*, Rick Rubin distills the wisdom he has gained from a lifetime of working with artists across various genres.
The book is not just about music production but about the broader creative process and how it applies to everyone's life.
Rubin emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with a state of innocence, being aware of the world, and tapping into what he calls 'Source'—an infinite and constant flow of ideas and inspiration.
The book is structured around 78 areas of thought, providing practical wisdom, philosophical insights, and encouragement for anyone seeking to enhance their creative expression.
#1570
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
The Creative Habit
Twyla Tharp
#3484
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Building a Second Brain
A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential
Tiago Forte
Tiago Forte's "Building a Second Brain" offers a comprehensive guide to managing digital information and enhancing productivity.
The book introduces the PARA method for organizing notes and resources, enabling users to build a personal knowledge base.
It emphasizes the importance of capturing, organizing, and distilling information to support creative work and decision-making.
The book provides practical strategies and techniques for building a "second brain" that serves as an external memory system, freeing up mental space for more creative and strategic thinking.
Readers learn how to leverage digital tools to streamline their workflow and unlock their creative potential.
#2971
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Productivity Diet
Balancing Quality and Quantity for Lasting Productivity
Mike Vardy
The Productivity Diet offers a fresh perspective on productivity, emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity and encouraging readers to cultivate a deeper relationship with time.
It provides actionable strategies for integrating meaningful productivity practices into daily life, focusing on intentionality, deep work, and mindful time management.
#82
• Mentioned in 121 episodes
4,000 Weeks
Time Management for Mortals
Oliver Burkeman
#804
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
East of Eden
Paul Osborn
In 'East of Eden', John Steinbeck tells the story of the Trask and Hamilton families, set against the backdrop of California's Salinas Valley.
The novel is a modern retelling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, focusing on the tumultuous relationship between Cal and Aron Trask, and their struggles with their father, Adam.
The book delves into themes of love, rejection, and the choice between good and evil, symbolized by the Hebrew word 'timshel', meaning 'thou mayest'.
The narrative is rich with characters like Samuel Hamilton, a kind and wise patriarch, and Kate, the embodiment of evil, whose past and actions significantly impact the lives of the Trasks.
This episode is the latest in our monthly PM Talks series, where I’m joined by my friend Patrick Rhone to explore timeless ideas around productivity, creativity, and everything in between. In this conversation, we take a deep dive into what it really means to be creative—especially when you're busy, overwhelmed, or stuck in perfectionism.
We unpack how constraints can fuel creativity, how time and space are both essential and elusive, and why imperfection might be your creative superpower. There’s a lot of riffing, real talk, and reflection in this one—and if you’ve felt like your creative well is running dry, this might be the refill you’ve been waiting for.
Six Discussion Points
- The relationship between speed, structure, and creativity
- Why constraints can actually enhance creativity (yes, really)
- John Cleese’s insight: creativity requires both time and space
- How perfectionism can sabotage creative flow
- Turning mundane tasks into creative opportunities
- The importance of being your own audience—and knowing what’s “for you”
Three Connection Points
- Patrick’s Website
- Rick Rubin's The Creative Act: A Way of Being
- "The creative process needs space—not just time." Read 50 more lessons I've learned here.
This episode is a reminder that creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s for anyone trying to make something meaningful with their time. Whether you’re juggling routines, deadlines, or just trying to show up a little more intentionally each day, the ideas we explore here can help unlock creative momentum—even in life’s most constrained moments.
Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive Potential
If you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.