About book The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant At A Moment's Notice (2011)
I listened to this book and need to print out the support materials to really take action on the big picture aspects.I have enjoyed the Accidental Creative podcasts for a while and I valued hearing it within the logical structure Todd Henry used in the book.My big takeaways are:Spend time to refresh your energyMake conscious decisions about which relationships you allow into your lifeAvoiding the ping of constant communicationTake time to think, but have a framework around it for best benefits If you're struggling creatively, you need to pick up this book and read it cover to cover. Don't borrow it from the library. Buy a copy, grab post-it flags, a notebook and a highlighter. While you're at it, get a few colorful pens for margin annotations. You're probably going to take a lot of notes. I spent many moments during my journey through this book pumping my fist in the air, letting out little exclamations of recognition and mostly, feeling overwhelmingly relieved that I am not the only person who has fallen into a muddy, inescapable creative ditch.Todd Henry brilliantly explains throughout this book that creativity can't be forced. We can't sit at our desks, looking at a blank piece of paper and will good ideas into existence. We must prime ourselves for good ideas by living purposefully. We must prepare ourselves for Accidental Creative moments. He outlines precisely how to find a creative rhythm by focusing on five life components: Focus, Relationships, Energy, Stimuli and Hours. Focus on the goals that are truly important with a narrow intensity, and outline what is truly important. Hint: it's not achieving Inbox Zero. Build relationships to enrich your life. Actively maintain these relationships. Don't be afraid to explore meeting new people outside of your industry. Your next best idea could be triggered during a coffee date with someone in a completely unrelated field. Preserve your energy. Maintain boundaries between professional and personal time. Get enough sleep at night. A lack of sleep causes unnecessary anxiety and an alarming depletion of creativity. The mind can't wander into unknown territory if all it can think of is rest and respite. Stimulate your mind. Often. Dedicate time each day to learn about new things in your industry. Revisit the classics of art and literature to get inspiration from the first creative geniuses. Take purposeful notes and revisit them often to spark new ideas. Lastly, schedule your hours. Productivity is no longer about the amount of hours you put in hunched over your desk. You are paid for the value you create. If you're working yourself to the point of exhaustion with nothing creative and innovative to show for it, you aren't making an effective use of your time. Period. Reading the last page of this book was a bittersweet moment. I felt like I had just finished a rant session with a friend who provides great insight and ideas for a solution to your problem - the kind of discussion that makes you feel better and less alone. The kind that arms you with a plan.
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I am now reading his companion book, "Die Empty" and will comment on them both shortly.
—bookie88
great read. re reading and putting what i learned in practice for my creative flow.
—Thara
I stopped about 20 pages in. It wasn't what I thought it would be.
—krisczerine_26
