So… This is new.
I’ve returned from my holiday and, as you can see, I am also now trying my luck in writing my newsletter in english, to make it accessible to more people.
(I’ll also be translating all the previous issues of Weekend Growth).
Getting back from holiday- at least for me- often means getting back to habits & routines that have been somewhat neglected during the downtime.
One of these habits is writing.
Luckily, I’ve created a writing practice that works well for me, and allows me to create this weekly newsletter, 3-4 weekly LinkedIn posts and also gives me some spare time to work on my fiction novel.
For me, this is the time of day when I deliberately try to create stuff for my own sake.
(Although I use the exact same principles I talk about in this newsletter, when I am writing copy for clients, designing ad creatives etc.)
Believe it or not, it’s actually pretty hard to get good writing done (at least for me) when you are lying by the pool and have all the time in the world.
Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy the process of writing quite a bit.
Nothing beats the feeling you get, when you are completely immersed in what you are creating.
Losing track of space and time.
In other words: when you are in the Flow State.
However, there’s usually still a lot of resistance to sit down and actually get started.
And – when I am not on holiday – I also don’t have endless free time to get my writing done, seeing as I am running a business.
This means that it’s important that my “creative time” is both relatively structured and productive.
Meaning I often need to hack my Flow State.
This makes many “creatives” cringe…
Because isn’t that like trying to capture lightning in a bottle?
Well, yes – and no.
It’s true that you can’t guarantee quality creative output every time you sit down to write, paint, sew or whatever your preferred outlet might be.
But so many of us so called “creatives” are leaving too much of our inspiration and ability to create up to external factors:
- Our mood.
- The universe.
- The perfect environment.
And I admit, being creative on command is no easy task.
Some days you just can’t seem to find that spark that ignites the creative output.
But- if we are staying with the metaphor- you can certainly create the right weather conditions for lightning to strike.
Creating the right conditions for creativity
Back when I first started making writing a priority, I made the mistake of waiting to be inspired before sitting down to write.
I would go on walks, listen to podcasts and read other peoples work.
(I still do these things regularly to get new ideas, but not as a part of my writing time).
All in hope of suddenly feeling that divine inspiration hit me, and somehow turn that into my own writing.
Ofcourse, this made it impossible for me to put in the required reps.
And as a result, the habit wasn’t being built.
I didn’t need more ideas – I had plenty.
I needed to sit down and actually write. Regularly.
If creativity is lightning, then we need to create the thunderstorm that provides the best possibility for it to strike.
And if you want to be creative on a somewhat regular basis, we can’t just wait for the stars to align and the updraft and downdrafts to appear naturally.
(I have no idea how a thunderstorm is created, but you get the point).
Firstly, it’s important to understand that creativity and structure are not each other’s opposites.
They both can exist at the same time.
This phrase from the prolific fantasy author, Brandon Sanderson, has stuck with me:
“Be an artist with the work ethic of an accountant.”
The 4 things to remove in order to enter the Flow State
It’s not about doing more or constantly trying new things.
It’s about simplifying and iterating on what works.
Remove anything that isn’t serving your creative process.
By integrating these practices into my daily routine, creativity has become less of an elusive muse and more of a reliable skill.
Remember, the key is consistency, not intensity.
Start small, keep it regular, and watch your creativity flourish.
Here’s the 4 things to remove to hack your Flow State and turn creativity into an effortless habit:
1) The Distractions
Even if you enjoy the process of creating as a whole, there are almost certainly parts of it that you find less interesting.
For me, for example, it’s editing what I’ve written.
Here, another quote from Brandon Sanderson fits in neatly:
“Do the thing you want to have done.”
Meaning reframe the task from dull editing to actually having sent out a newsletter.
Achieving the Flow State is all about momentum.
That means crafting an environment that minimizes interruptions.
Keep your workspace dedicated solely to writing; turn off notifications, and perhaps even disconnect from the internet if your task doesn’t require it.
People love to say that time is your most valuable resource.
Really it’s your focused attention and effort – don’t waste it on stuff you don’t want to be doing anyways.
2) The Fear
For me, entering a flow state means working without the fear that the outcome will be poor.
Fear is a creativity killer.
For writers or painters, this often starts with the fear of ruining a perfect blank, white canvas with something “bad”.
It’s about allowing yourself the freedom to create without judgment.
Aim to create something true, not perfect.
3) The Editor
Banish the Editor during creation.
This means separating the creative process from the editing process.
Let your ideas flow without interruption, and resist the urge to edit as you go.
Write now, edit later.
This prevents your internal critic from stifling the creativity that comes with uninhibited writing. The first draft is about getting the ideas down; refining them comes later.
4) The Desire
Most creatives have a desire to create something near perfect.
While this can be motivating for some, it can be paralyzing for many others.
Instead, focus on conveying your true thoughts and feelings. Trust that whatever needs to be expressed will find its way onto the page.
It’s more important to write something genuine than to write something flawless.
Everything that needs to be written will find its way out if you just let it.
Trust in your own ability to convey your thoughts and ideas.