The art of being a creative person (with Georgia Shreve)

Oct 7, 2021 57m 42s 25 insights Episode Page ↗
Spencer Greenberg speaks with multi-passioned artist Georgia Shreve about positive psychology, multidisciplinary creative practice, and education. They explore fostering creativity, improving relationships, and the importance of lifelong learning, also touching on societal issues like ageism.
Actionable Insights

1. Cultivate PERMA for Well-being

Actively cultivate PERMA (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment) in your life, as these five elements are crucial for overall well-being and can be negatively impacted by factors like unemployment.

2. Avoid Relationship “Four Horsemen”

To foster healthier relationships, actively avoid the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”: criticism (focus on behavior, not character), defensiveness, contempt (looking down on your partner), and stonewalling (withdrawing from conversation).

3. Strive for Wisdom

Move beyond merely accumulating facts and knowledge to cultivate wisdom, which involves using all your experience and learning to improve your behavior, how you treat others, and how you manage your existence.

4. Practice Positive Creativity

Approach creativity with a positive mindset, focusing on the joy of the process and the potential to help others, rather than dwelling on the difficulty of generating ideas.

5. Simplify Creative Environment

Simplify your creative environment by decluttering your workspace and minimizing visual distractions, as this can improve focus and enhance the flow of ideas.

6. Organize Projects for Motivation

Organize your creative projects by keeping each one separate and visible, allowing you to see the volume of your work, which can boost morale, remind you to continue, and reinforce past achievements.

7. Take Short Daily Breaks

Incorporate short (5-7 minute) breaks into your daily routine, using this time for activities you love, such as meditating or taking a walk, to refresh your mind and boost productivity.

8. Immerse in Creative Field

To foster creativity, deeply immerse yourself in your chosen field by reading extensively, studying different styles, and exposing yourself to a wide range of works (e.g., 100 poems for a poet).

9. Master Technical Skills (Music)

For aspiring musicians, prioritize developing technical mastery through consistent study, lessons, and practice, as this foundation is crucial before creativity can be fully explored.

10. Role Model Desired Behavior

Lead by example by authentically embodying the behaviors and qualities you wish to see in your team or children, as role modeling is an incredibly important and effective way to influence others.

11. Commit to Lifelong Learning

Embrace a mindset of continuous, lifelong learning, as ongoing education, whether formal or self-directed, is a source of joy, knowledge, and personal development.

12. Engage in Everyday Generosity

Practice everyday acts of generosity, such as smiling at strangers or being kind to service staff, and leverage your connections or bravery on behalf of others to bring them joy or opportunities.

13. Be Braver for Others

If you find it difficult to advocate for yourself, try to be brave on behalf of others, as the genuine desire to help someone else can provide the courage needed to act.

14. Balance Optimism with Nuance

Adopt a nuanced perspective on societal progress: appreciate the long-term improvements while acknowledging current problems and temporary setbacks, to maintain motivation for continued action and improvement.

15. Use Discouragement as Challenge

When faced with discouragement or negative feedback, use it as a challenge to propel yourself to improve and achieve your goals, rather than giving up.

16. Use Neutral Music for Breaks

During breaks, listen to neutral, instrument-free music with noise-canceling headphones to allow your mind to fully relax and disengage from analytical thought, especially if your work involves music.

17. Combine Creative Media

Explore combining multiple creative media (e.g., words, music, visuals) in your projects, as different forms can inspire and propel each other, leading to powerful and beautiful results.

18. Words as Creative Propulsion

If you struggle with musical composition, try using words (poetry, libretto) as a primary source of inspiration and propulsion, as strong feelings about words can practically generate the music.

19. Seek Great Teachers/Mentors

Actively seek out great teachers and identify wonderful mentors who can provide valuable guidance and positive encouragement for your creative development.

20. Encourage Early Diverse Passions

Encourage children to explore diverse creative fields early in life, as developing these loves can lead to a multi-passioned and fulfilling creative journey.

21. Provide Positive Feedback to Children

When encouraging children in creative pursuits, provide specific and positive feedback on their work, as this encouragement can be profoundly impactful and foster a lasting love for the activity.

22. Cultivate Aesthetic Sensitivity

Pay attention to and cultivate your aesthetic sensitivity, as responding deeply to visual beauty in art, nature, or even everyday colors can bring immense joy and intellectual stimulation.

23. Appreciate Diverse Art Forms

Seek out and appreciate art forms or creative endeavors that you do not personally practice, as this allows for pure enjoyment and intellectual engagement without the analytical or critical lens of your own craft.

24. Seek Intellectual Pleasures

Prioritize and engage in intellectual pleasures, such as exploring new ideas and understanding how the world works, as this can be a deep and consistent source of personal satisfaction and growth.

25. Avoid Negative Self-Talk

Practice “No Negative Self-Talk” in relationships by avoiding self-deprecating comments, as putting yourself down can be unhelpful and impact the dynamic with your partner.