Audio notes: Some of the most important things I've learned so far about creativity
It’s been over three years since I started posting content online (first on TikTok and now Instagram too). I had never had a public social media presence, never even considered it. But...
…in Jan 2022, I had just listened to a fascinating podcast episode and needed to share it with others1.
At that point in my life, I had not thought of myself as a creative person. My brain is very linear, analytic, academic. I operate by talking, thinking, reading, externally processing. I had only ever worked traditional 9-5 office jobs, and I think there’s only one entrepreneur in my extended family. These were some of the binaries I had in my head around who is and is not Creative. I mean— to the extent I ever thought about creativity, which .. wasn’t much. I can’t express how little “creativity” as a concept factored into my sense of self or work or values. That just wasn’t really in my frame of reference.
And yet— I find myself today on the other side, or rather, making my way there (whatever there is). I’ve developed wisdom and perspective on my own creative juices, flows, potential, and BEING. My creativity has become a really interesting part of what I think about consistently. It’s a value of mine now to tap into it and play with it.
There are a few lessons I find myself repeating consistently to different friends and people I meet who are embarking on personal or creative projects, so, to the extent they’re useful to you, I wanted to drop them here.
What I’ve learned about creativity from my three years making content online*
*caveat, as always: advice is virtually impossible to give (I hesitate to think of this list as advice, even… more like knowledge sharing? idk) given how different we all are. I speak concretely in my list because to me this stuff has become increasingly clear. But I don’t know that they’d be as clear to anyone else necessarily, because we are not the same. Take from this anything that’s relevant or interesting, and let the rest go. And if you vehemently disagree with me on any of this, I welcome it (a la #7)
The more you create, the less you care about each individual thing you make.
You don’t need to know your “why” yet, or at all, in order to start creating. You can just have a feeling of curiosity, or desire, or intrigue to try it out; that is enough.
Beyond the actual thing you’re making is the *process* about the thing. That also has immense value.
You can’t “fail” if everything is just in service of your growth. So figure out ways to test and measure your growth.
You need to start so you can get data. Once you start to get reactions/responses from people, you can iterate. You can’t create in a vacuum.
You feel more precious about the “final draft” than the first, even though that feels counterintuitive. Release the drafts earlier!
It’s important to differentiate between valuable criticism and others’ projections
Figure out what the risks actually are for you. Notice those risks, honor your feelings about them, and slowly work to expand your risk tolerance.
Your job is to create the thing. Once it’s out there, you no longer have control.
Let me dive into each one a bit more.
The best way for me to articulate my feelings on things is by talking it out, so I’m testing the audio notes function here. Hopefully I am communicating myself clearly enough here (but I know for a fact I am not lol). This is me practicing some of these lessons right now by publishing this even as these voice notes are messy!!!
The more you create, the less you care about each individual thing you make
You don’t need to know your “why” yet, or at all, in order to start creating. You can just have a feeling of curiosity, or desire, or intrigue to try it out; that is enough.
Beyond the actual thing you’re making is the *process* about the thing. That also has immense value.
You can’t “fail” if everything is just in service of your growth. So figure out ways to test and measure your growth.
You need to start so you can get data. Once you start to get reactions/responses from people, you can iterate. You can’t create in a vacuum.
You feel more precious about the “final draft” than the first, even though that feels counterintuitive. Release the drafts earlier!
It’s important to differentiate between valuable criticism and others’ projections
Figure out what the risks actually are for you. Notice those risks, honor your feelings about them, and slowly work to expand your risk tolerance.
Your job is to create the thing. Once it’s out there, you no longer have control.
What do you think about this? Any reactions?
What are lessons you’ve learned about creativity?
My very first TikTok. Of course it was about a) the Ezra Klein podcast and b) about work dissatisfaction. So glad I’ve stayed consistent in that regard LOL
I really like these audio notes as a format for you in particular. I like hearing your voice, and the way you skillfully pull your ideas together and share these snippets - its clear! As I avoid the other socials, its good to know you might keep a mix of audio and written here . There is A LOT of juice in each of these - I could speak and comment on a few of these ideas but don't want to clog up the comments. lol.