469 - How to Know What Work You Need to Focus On Now
Sep 4, 2024
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Sophie Miller, a talented co-writer and editor, joins audio editor Conner Jones and musician Yoni Wolf from WHY? in a lively discussion on prioritizing creative work. They explore how to navigate the overwhelming sea of ideas by framing your journey as a narrative. The trio breaks down storytelling into three acts, emphasizing the value of conflict and introspection. They also compare the hero’s journey to the heroine’s journey, advocating for self-reflection and community support to spark creativity and motivate proactive engagement in projects.
Identifying immediate creative priorities is crucial to overcoming indecisiveness and fostering actionable steps in a creator's practice.
Recognizing whether one is on a hero's or heroine's journey provides valuable insights for determining the focus of creative efforts.
Deep dives
Navigating Creative Confusion
Creative individuals often face challenges in discerning which of their numerous ideas to pursue. The fixation on defining 'what the work is' can be a source of frustration and indecisiveness, as creators grapple with whether they should develop new skills, explore fresh projects, or focus on marketing completed work. It's essential to shift attention toward identifying immediate priorities that deserve focus, rather than being overwhelmed by the multitude of possibilities. This clarity can lead to actionable steps in a creator's daily practice, fostering progress and alleviating the feeling of being stuck.
The Creative Journey Framework
Viewing the creative process as a journey with distinct stages can help individuals better understand their current creative block. This approach allows creators to assess their situation using narrative structures like the three-act format, which includes wanting something, encountering conflict, and ultimately achieving resolution. Stages in the creative journey signify not just progress but also the necessary conflicts that catalyze growth and transitions. Recognizing oneself within these stages can provide valuable insights into the type and nature of work that should be prioritized, enabling a more focused and fulfilled creative practice.
Mindset Shifts in Creativity
Adopting a growth mindset is crucial in overcoming the binary thinking of success or failure that many creators experience. Instead of viewing creativity as a fixed trait, recognizing it as a journey allows individuals to appreciate the learning and evolving nature of their craft. This shift in perspective helps creators understand that the current phase they are in does not define their overall talent or potential. Embracing the idea that there are multiple paths and opportunities for growth can lead to more sustainable creativity and resilience in the face of obstacles.
Determining Your Creative Journey
Identifying whether one is on a hero's journey or a heroine's journey provides clarity on the type of actions needed at any given moment in a creative practice. When one is waiting for opportunities, it indicates a hero's journey, emphasizing the need to take initiative and find ways to create without relying on external validation. Conversely, when others are waiting for a creator's output, it signals a heroine's journey, focusing on collaboration and community engagement. Understanding this distinction aids creators in determining their priorities and the work they need to focus on, ultimately guiding them toward fulfilling their creative potential.
It’s difficult to know where to focus your creative energy. If you don’t know whether you should be learning a new skill, diving deep into a new project or marketing something you’ve already done, this episode is for you!
Immaterial: 5,000 Years of Art, One Material at a Time a podcast by The Met - Each episode examines a material of art, like clay... stone... trash... and what they can reveal about history and humanity. You’ll get a sense of the meaningfulness of these materials, and see them in a whole new way.