Chase Jarvis, the renowned photographer and director turned digital entrepreneur, co-founded creativeLIVE in 2010 to share free creative education with the world. Since that time creativeLIVE has delivered more than 1 billion minutes of free online education to 2 million people across every country in the world.
In his SXSW Interactive session Jarvis explained that creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating and shared 10 steps for being more creative.
“We are built to make stuff,” he announced.
10 things to help the creativity of our culture
10. Pursue a creative craft
For example, take a picture every day and share it. By doing something creative every day you become more creative. Make it a habit.
9. Space
Creativity doesn’t happen in the mayhem. Get inspired in the chaos but synthesis happens in the space. Give yourself some solace.
8. Play
Get away and do something other than be at your desk
7. Find a tribe
Have people like you around you. Think of other like minded people who want to do the same creative craft as you and connect with them frequently.
6. Show your work
Tighten up your community, get feedback. Your work will get better as a result.
5. Imperfection plus iteration
These go hand in hand. Create a beta and then you work on it from there. Keep iterating.
4. Put more of you into your work
You find your voice by using it. e.g if you want to be a better photographer, the more pics you take the better you become.
3. Doubts? = doing it right
If you’re doubting yourself, if you feel uncomfortable, you ARE doing it right. Put yourself into your work. Vulnerability is part of creativity.
2. Make something every day
Creative activities create more creativity. Do something daily.
1. You have nothing to lose
Jarvis quoted from Steve Jobs famous speech to graduating Stamford students: “Remembering that I will be dead soon… ”
“You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
