Creating your best work in 2024
The science and real-life applications of creation
Creation requires very different conditions to be successful than working a typical 9-5.
I think this is why many writers can feel frustrated if they’re not putting out large amounts of material every day.
For me to best tap into my creativity year-over-year has required long breaks, walks, and deliberate and consistent showing up. Sure, you can wait till the last minute, and pull an all-nighter and let the adrenaline do its job. But this doesn’t work long term because being in stress response for long doses of time (adrenaline is one of the two key hormones involved in stress response) is kryptonite for lifespan.
Life is a long game, which is why the EQ of Wealth is focused on longevity and an integrated approach. It’s in this creativity game that the many meanings of Wealth come through. The EQ of Wealth is ultimately about all the wealth your life can have, as long as you can have it. And a big part of wealth is tapping into your own creative force. Let’s go.
If you want to create your best work in 2024 AND have it be an enjoyable experience, these are 6 useful pieces of advice thanks to science and creative experts. This is how I applied it to my life and you can try applying it to yours!
1) Our brains can’t multitask — one outcome for one day
The Science: Creation at its best is deep work, which is doing something complex and new with the highest level of quality and focus. If you need to do creative work, which is all about creating something new, then focus. Cognition declines with multitasking. You can switch for simple skills (eg. answering emails), but if you need to create, stay focused. Multi-tasking is detrimental.
How I apply this to my life: When I need to create something — whether that be creating a new keynote, lesson plan, blog post, or strategy — I block off my entire day and make the only goal to create a draft of whatever I need. I also silence my notifications — any brain switch can be detrimental to flow.
2) Allow for long breaks
The Science: Why ideas pop into our minds in the shower — Eureka moments require time away from focused work (graphic below). Creativity is part of diffused thinking, which is the equivalent of daydreaming. We need distance to let ideas meld and have focused time once we have that idea and a first draft to refine it. Also, if you’re feeling stuck, walking outside has been shown in studies to boost creativity.
How I apply this to my life: Walks allow for ideas to meld — I schedule in walks or meditation either before or after I draft something to allow for insights. And if I’m near trees or parks, I make sure to walk through those in particular because nature is great for your nervous system.
This image comes Dr. Hannah Rose and her Ness Labs, an evidence-based and mindful productivity company, article listed above called “The Science of Eureka Moments.”
3) The only goal is showing up
The Experts: This is less research, but more the advice of habit change leader and bestselling author, James Clear from his master work "Atomic Habits". Make the practice of showing up as easy as possible because once that’s standardized, then you can optimize/make it more ambitious. He tells the story of someone who practiced going to the gym 4 days per week for 5 minutes. It may seem silly, but by showing up you’re shifting your identity and ultimately how you see yourself.
How I apply this to my life: My only goal before I create something new is to sit at the computer and type something. I don’t care how much I type or if it’s good — I simply have to start. I’m usually pleasantly surprised that I get more done than what I expect. I find the natural momentum of writing or creating, and things tend to work out better.
4) Minimize screen time
The Science: The mere presence of our cell phones near us (or even in our bags!) can lower how well our brains work. As per above, busy work isn’t creative work.
How I apply this to my life: This is my biggest learning opportunity because I love to communicate with people and I’m a recovering multitasker and “the grind” follower. What I do to limit my cell phone activity is to take notes with a pen and within a notebook. I will list out the bullet points in my notebook or basic idea via hand, before I start typing. I also put my cell phone in a drawer so at least, it adds a layer of friction or what Nobel Prize winning Richard Thaler calls “sludge,” to check it.
5) Throwing spaghetti to refining copy
The Experts: John Swartzwelder is a legendary writer of the Simpsons and has a very unique technique for writing, which I follow with great success. Write the first draft as quickly as possible because that’s the hardest part. Refinement is a bit more fun and requires less energy.
How I apply this to my life: I write my first draft (of whatever I’m doing) as quickly as I can. Because I give myself a full day to create something. I try to do the fast part first-thing in the morning and then have the refining moment happen between 1-3 times throughout the rest of the day with breaks in-between to clear my head and allow for diffused thinking (see above ;) )
6) Have a trusted advisor to review
The science: One of the things I say is this — humans are not owls. Owls can see 360 degrees around themselves (270 degrees one way) so owls don’t have blind spots, but people do. We need coaches/teachers/mentors to see our blindspots because only an outside person can see the bigger picture. Once you have a trusted person review it, you’re guaranteed to gain a new perspective.
How I apply this to my life: No matter what I create, I have someone I trust review it. For me, I’m lucky because I have my marketing advisor Lori White, who reviews and gives me feedback on everything I make before I send it out. Have those people and you will always be better.
Thank you for letting me completely nerd out at the start of the year and I look forward to seeing the amazing things you create in 2024.
It’s all a possibility.
