The Not-To-Do List: 10 Habits that Kill Creativity
Photo by DAK. Written by James Wong. Apprx. read 2.5 min.
“Not-to-do” lists are often much more handy than to-do lists. Consider, what you don’t do determines what you can do.
Here are 10 habits that’ll kill your inner creative artist and bore the living sh!t out of you.
You’re remarkable. You have gifts you can give to the world, I on the behalf of the world is asking you to STOP these habits.
1. Do not do “The Work” at home.
When creating anything whether that’s writing, making music, or designing, find a few different places to work. That way while crafting your work you are filled with different environments that bring color to your work.
2. Do not ask for permission.
People are so reasonable. If it’s not going to devastate the people around you, do it and then justify it. The people-whether that’s parents, lovers, or bosses will usually not think twice and accept it after the fact. If the potential damage is moderate or in anyway reversible, don’t ever let people stop your inner artist from shining. (Ex. I like to carry POST ITS around and stick them to every bathroom stall saying random quotes or provocative phrases with Evolyfe.com on it. It’s fun, creative, and gets me free leads. ;D)
3. Do not expect.
Expectation only leads to disappointment, second guessing, and creativity’s block. Just do it.
4. Do not have fairytale conversations.
Don’t talk about how you want to be rich, famous, or helpful. Don’t talk about what can’t be seen or measured in reality. Talk about how you did _____ to make $10,000 dollars this month. Talk about how you finished your rap mixtape last month. Talk about how you had your family volunteer at the homeless shelter for Thanksgiving. Talk about REAL STUFF. Those fairytale “I wish/hope/want” type of conversations don’t encourage creativity or reaching your dreams. If you focus on what you actually did and what you going to do next, it’ll continue to inspire you and the people around you to get into action.
5. Do not treat anything as if it was written in stone.
How many times have we been wrong when we were SO SURE we were right? (If you say not often you’re full of it. Get off Evolyfe. We only want authentic readers.) When creating, come from nothing, as if anything is possible. You’ll break boundaries. And it’s way more fun thinking outside the box.
6. Do not watch or read the news.
If it is really big, you’ll know about it. The news has one job; entertain us with facts that have no correlation with our creative life. Consider experimenting for a week, see how you like it.
7. Do not be a dick.
Why push people away? Why be so rude? Dicks attract dicks. And then you’re expected to be a dick. Is it really exciting, fun, and creative to get your ass kicked?
8. Do not be or create anything normal.
Creating something for everyone is a dead end. Staying in the realm of normality and the average will only stagnate your growth as an artist. We no longer want a “one size fits all” product or service. We want choices, we want something that calls to us personally. We are all weird and have different interest. Embrace it.
9. Do not give up.
It takes something to be creative. It takes doing the work day in and day out. It takes time to prove to yourself that you can do it. It takes going through phases where you felt not appreciated for your work. It takes a lot to unleash your inner creative artist. Are you ready for that reality? If you had to think about it, you’re not and that’s okay there’s time. If you are ready though, welcome to world of passion, prosperity, possibility, life, love, & satisfaction.
10. Do not misunderstand life.
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -John Lennon.
Take care, love,
James
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