Estimated reading time: 5 minutes, 7 seconds
Bad ideas can be the beginning of great ones.
Don't discard an idea just because it doesn't look promising yet.
Give it some time, attention and room to grow. You might be surprised by what it becomes.
Here’s a new Wisdom Made Easy doodle:
I think this might be the first time I’ve drawn a turd for a Wisdom Made Easy visual…
Nevertheless, you get the point, right?
The things that we think are rubbish can often be the foundation for something great, so give in to that inner-critic telling you that “Your ideas are cr*p!”
Get creating!
Here is the Saying that complements today’s nugget of wisdom:
"The best ideas are the honest ones. Ones born out of personal experience."
Our instinct is often to judge an idea before we've properly explored it, but creativity requires honesty and curiosity.
Instead of immediately asking whether an idea is good enough, give it enough time to flourish into what it could become.
Some of my worst ideas have become some of my best-performing visuals.
I've learned that I'm not always the best judge of my own work. Something I nearly discard might resonate with thousands of people, while the idea I'm convinced is brilliant sometimes goes nowhere.
That's creativity for you.
You have to produce plenty of manure if you want to grow anything worthwhile.
So if you’re looking to be more creative, here are 3 tips to get you going:
Let Others Decide
Don't reject everything before anyone else has a chance to see it.
Publish it. Share it. Invite feedback.
You might discover that the idea you disliked is exactly what someone else needed.
Change Your Environment.
If the ideas aren't flowing, get moving.
Leave your desk. Take a walk. Go somewhere different.
A change of scenery can lead to a change of thinking.
Remember Your Rubbish.
Look at something you're proud of today, then remember where you started.
Your best writing, art or work probably stands on the shoulders of much worse attempts.
Don't be ashamed of bad ideas, because they might be exactly what your good ideas need to grow.
Let’s dive deeper into today’s wisdom with these 3 journal prompts:
What idea might I have dismissed too quickly?
When has a questionable idea turned into something surprisingly good?
What could I create if I wasn't afraid of creating something bad?
Today’s resource is a gorgeous book called The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.
Rubin explores creativity not as something reserved for a talented few, but as a way of seeing and engaging with the world.
This book is a helpful reminder to stay curious, notice ideas and create without judging everything too quickly.
It’s a must-read for any creative looking to be more habitual with creativity, and sometimes you've just gotta make some manure.
Consider checking out your friendly local bookstore. Alternatively you can buy it here:
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Catch you in the next issue!
Thanks,
Michael