Creative strength

I’ve started listening to Creative Quest, a book written and narrated by musician, bandleader, designer, producer, and person with extraordinary hair, Questlove. I’m digging it. It’s easy to connect with his lighthearted examination of inspiration, originality, and what it means to be a creative. Oh, and his pop culture references are spot on for those of us who still think 1996 was just a few years ago.

I was driving around town last night when I had a serious moment of connection with Mr. Love. He was discussing the concepts of creative disambiguation (and exercises for really understanding your creative strengths) when he said a thing that made tons of sense.

I’ll sum it up.

It’s easier to articulate your creative strengths and know what you want to create after you take a moment to list all of the things you aren’t into.

It sounds backwards, but it works.  

For example, I’m not a serious writer of medical thrillers. Or, haiku poetry. Or, get rich quick books. Or, business journals. Or, WW2 memoirs. Or, manga.

I started to write “self-help books” but then I erased it because it occurred to me that maybe I’d have a fun time writing one of those. See? I learned something about myself. Helpful!

I can focus my effort on what I love to write (including my burgeoning love for self-help book writing) partly because I can also describe what I have no interest in writing. Pretty cool.  

Questlove also laid down the science that I’ve been waiting my whole life to have put in my ear hole. It’s instantly validating to hear this theory. Are you ready for it?

A study showed that creatives do their best work when they’re tired, because when we’re tired we’re less able to screen out distractions and more willing to entertain outlandish and interesting solutions. Fancy that.

Oh, the same study also helpfully suggested that we all get shitfaced. (Okay, maybe the study said “and have a glass of wine, too.” Same diff.*)

There you have it. Science is telling me that I should trust my instincts and go full Hemingway. I’m super good at being distracted and drinking wine, so I should probably quit my job and wait for the inevitable birth of my masterpiece.

My creative process

Or maybe not.

I do have to admit, being tired seems to bring out the best of my snark with the least amount of thinking, so maybe science is onto something.

For example, take the invite for TEAM MEGAJILLTOOLE & FRIENDS GLAMPING THROWDOWN—  a camping weekend that we’re looking to put together. I wrote it when I was extra tired and I kind of love it 

Waterslides, bumper boats, wine tasting... oh, and cabanas. 

Teams MegaJill and Toole have booked in for Some Holiday That I’m Not Going to Write In a Blog Post and we have plans. Diabolical plans.

We have zero delusions about this being camping and we're good with that. What we do have are two sites, an impressive dog to person ratio, really snarky camping shirts, and a strong desire to outdo those people who built the full-on tiki bar last year.

If you're interested in joining, we'd love to have you along for the fun!

Sites and cabins are still available, although they do seem to be pretty booked up. So, act now. 

Is it wrong to be proud of something so stupid? I don’t know and I don’t care. It brings me joy.

Also, sitting down to write my novel right now is not a thing (regardless of how many times I write it down as a resolution), so I’m gonna settle for writing weird, little nuggets and hiding them all over the internets.

I feel good about this.

Wanna know what else I feel good about? Being brave enough to try this distraction technique at work. Maybe with modifications. Although, maybe I should pitch a boozy, late-night design thinking session.**

Here’s how that would go... 

Me: We need this if we’re gonna start achieving innovation greatness. In April. After I get off this medication that doesn’t mix with alcohol. 

Senior management: {eye rolls} 

Okay, maybe upper management isn’t ready to unlock our full potential yet. But I really can’t test it for myself until April anyway, so maybe I won’t push it  :)

Or maybe you can test for me!

Feel free to do all the science and let me know it goes. At the very least, send me a note when your art installation opens/album drops/screenplay gets picked up by a major studio. It’s gonna happen.

*This is science, not just my color commentary. Don’t hate.

**Note: Senior management has a high level of tolerance for my eccentricities, so I don’t expect any consequences for my bold, out-of-the-box thinking. Your mileage may vary.

Also, I miss wine. </sigh>