{"id":31038,"date":"2013-07-24T04:04:03","date_gmt":"2013-07-24T08:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/improvisedlife.com\/?p=31038"},"modified":"2013-07-23T21:59:44","modified_gmt":"2013-07-24T01:59:44","slug":"seth-godin-on-creatives-theres-only-what-works-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/improvisedlife.com\/2013\/07\/24\/seth-godin-on-creatives-theres-only-what-works-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"seth godin on creatives: ‘there\u2019s only what works for you’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Seth<\/a><\/p>\n

In the course of a year, quite a few people ask me for advice about how to DO what they dream of doing. Many, not all, are writers. The question is not about how to achieve success, but simply how to start and keep going. It is a central question of the creative process.<\/p>\n

Seth Godin<\/a>‘s succinct quote applies to all creatives as far as I’m concerned, not just writers; it is what most of my counsel ultimately boils down to.<\/p>\n

It’s often helpful to see how other people work, and even try out their methods, which is why ‘improvised life’ posts a lot about artist and writers processes, what they’ve figured out to make their creative life \u00a0move forward. Ultimately though, you just have to discover what works for you: what are the various tools and tricks that will actually get you doing what you want to be doing?<\/p>\n

Is it a deadline or a consequence? (I once made a deal with a friend that everyday she did not work on her new photography project, she had to pay me $50.)<\/p>\n

Is it rolling out of bed and writing or painting, not allowing yourself to talk to anyone first?<\/p>\n

Is it doing everything BUT until the end of the day when you finally get going on the real task at hand? (Which is why were were so amazed and happy to see the great writer John McPhee’s “<\/a>resemblance to the sand of Gibralter<\/a>” <\/em>so heartening.)<\/p>\n

Is it making a mess?<\/p>\n

Is it keeping things neat?<\/p>\n

Invariably, what’s ultimately gets done is due to a series of many small steps (and misteps).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

But no matter how messy or zig-zagging the process may be, whatever it is, if it works for you, IT WORKS FINE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"pedro<\/a>
pedro guerrero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here are some reminders of the very different ways creative people do what they do:<\/p>\n

space voyeurs: studios of 10 brilliant artists
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

henry miller\u2019s microcosmic bathroom
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

what\u2019s the perfect desk (for you)?
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

leonardo da vinci\u2019s self-doubt
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

woody allen\u2019s writing tools (what do you really need to work?)
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

junot diaz on having a slow \u2018creative metabolism\u2019
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

john mcphee on \u2018getting going\u2019 and \u2018finishing things\u2019
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

isamu noguchi\u2019s creative process
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

working at the kitchen table (andrea zittel)
\n<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo of\u00a0Alexander Calder\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0studio from 1963 book\u00a0Calder At Home: The Joyous Environment of Alexander Calder<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Pedro E. Guerrero<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the course of a year, quite a few people ask me for advice about how to DO what they dream of doing. Many, not all, are writers. The question is not about how to achieve success, but simply how to start and keep going. It is a central question of the creative process. Seth…<\/p>\nRead More<\/a>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":31043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[458,31,6549,89,90,750],"tags":[3965,9063,5934,670,48],"yoast_head":"\nseth godin on creatives: 'there\u2019s only what works for you' - Improvised Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In the course of a year, quite a few people ask me for advice about how to DO what they dream of doing. Many, not all, are writers. 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