Dreams Start With Patience #18

Reading time: 3 minutes

What to expect:

1. How Iteration Can Help You

2. Strong Emotions = Strong Expression of Self

3. The Massive Photography Myth

The Magic of Iteration

Throughout history, the concept of anything great has significant time attached to it.

Iteration: : a procedure in which repetition of a sequence of operations yields results successively closer to a desired result
I believe the best bet for creating anything new comes from iteration.
Iteration leads us further along the more time we invest into intentionally iterating.

When does the magic happen?

Everything starts with one subtle change

You are not attempting to recreate the wheel - only to gain creative inspiration from the work around you. Intrinsic iteration allows us to develop a keen sense of what works and what doesn’t. Following our own intuition with creative work is what separates those who iterate vs. those who don’t.

The artist’s job is to not conform.

Creation is subjective; not objective

You are not competing against others when creating art and engaging in the creative process. If you’re reading this newsletter - I’m assuming that the creative inside you is knocking. Objectivity is the enemy - you should never create for anyone but yourself.

The exception = commercialization

Navigating The Feeling Of Being “Lost” Becomes A Valuable Skill When You Decide To Be A Creative

Creativity occurs when we allow ourselves to tap into our innate self.

Strong emotions typically = strong expression of self. Yet, how can we channel this? Why is it that every single time you experience strong emotions great art doesn’t emerge as a result? You will have profound experiences when emotions are strong - negative emotions are stronger. You have to transmute this negativity for potential for great art.

Sensitivity belongs in the creative process

Feeling lost is sometimes a result of having a finely tuned antennae for sensitivity.

You go through different phases in the creative process. 
1st clarity ignites.
2nd a world of intensity comes into play.
3rd is consistency.

The last phase will have you questioning your beliefs and values - “Lost”
(nod to Dan Koe for popularizing this concept)

If you don’t navigate this new/unknown phase by respecting it like all the others you will get wrecked

The 4th phase of the creative process comes after you have finished an incredible project. You hit publish or you decide to print. It can feel as if the world is ready to crumble under your feet - where do you go next?

Letting creative acts flow through you without any outside interference is the key to navigation.

Growth in art comes from failure - not perfection

“The best art divides the audience” - Rick Rubin
With that being said - the only person you should create art for is yourself.
Good and bad work is subjective for every artist.

The phases will occur again and again once you decide to obsessively work on your next great project.

Myth: Creativity Is An Innate Skill

You have to be born as a creative person to do any creative work.

This is the biggest detriment to human beings who lack purpose. Pure creativity is doing things for yourself - not for other people. The moment you sacrifice your creative-side for a paycheck the means of the art will be lost.

Commercialization kills expression if you don’t take the right steps to act against this destructive force.

You (as the creative) will spend a large portion of your life iterating on the creative genius inside of you

With greatness comes failure - you have to accept this fact of life. Without the dark the light cannot shine. When you are struggling with aligning to your highest creative self:

Reverse engineer the typical creative process and change only one thing about how your process.

In the darkest times - the best work emerges

Any creative really can understand this sentence. For fine-art the negative emotions turn out to be a way to express how you see the world. This has a soothing effect, it is incredibly addictive.

This soothing effect that creatives experience is referred to by the scientific world as “flow”

Creativity is best studied through a historical lens

As technology has advanced in our time under the sun, the progression of human behavior feels to have halted. Attention spans shortening is something to worry about as a creative but - you can’t allow the modern world and social media algorithms to determine the value of your art.

The majority of “Great” artists and art were not considered phenomenal when conceived.

Thanks for reading!
Another way I can help you when you are ready.
-Learn how to optimize creativity and productivity directly from me

Your creative buddy who is never shuts up about iteration and personal branding
-Zachariah