7 Rules for Maximizing(ˈmaksəˌmīz) Your Creative Output

7 Rules for Maximizing(ˈmaksəˌmīz) Your Creative Output

By Steve Pavlina

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Here are my 7 rules for optimizing(ˈäptəˌmīz) the highly creative flow(flō) state:

  1. Define a clear purpose(ˈpərpəs)

To enter(ˈentər) the flow state, you need a goal(gōl). Decide what you want to create and why. Vague(vāg) intentions don’t trigger(ˈtrigər) the flow state.

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  1. Identify(īˈdentəˌfī) a compelling(kəmˈpeliNG) motive(ˈmōtiv)

In addition(əˈdiSHən) to a goal for your creative session, you need a reason to be creative. Why does this task matter to you personally? What difference will it make if you can be creative? Why do you care?

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  1. Architect(ˈärkiˌtekt) a worthy(ˈwərT͟Hē) challenge(ˈCHalənj)

To awaken your full creative potential(pəˈtenCHəl), the difficulty of your creative endeavor(enˈdevər) must fall within a certain(ˈsərtn) challenge spectrum(ˈspektrəm). On a scale(skāl) of 1-10, where 1 is trivially(ˈtrivēəl) easy and 10 is impossible, I’d say the optimal(ˈäptəməl) creative range is 5-9 with a 7-8 being ideal(īˈdē(ə)l).

If a task is too easy, you don’t need to be particularly(pə(r)ˈtikyələrlē) creative, so your creative self will simply say, “You can manage this one without me. Come back when you have something worthy of my attention(əˈtenCHən).”

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  1. Provide(prəˈvīd) a conducive(kənˈd(y)o͞osiv) environment

You’ll find that certain environmental conditions make it easy for you to enter the flow state, while other conditions make it nearly impossible. The optimal environment varies(ˈve(ə)rē) from person to person, so you’ll need to experiment to find what works best for you.

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  1. Allocate(ˈaləˌkāt) a committed block of time

Imagine(iˈmajən) your mind is like a computer. The more you can take advantage(ədˈvantij) of the computer’s resources, the more creativity you harness(ˈhärnis). To free up the most resources for your creative task, you first need to unload all nonessential(ˌnänəˈsenCHəl) processes(prəˈses,ˈpräsəs,ˈpräˌses,ˈprō-). This means closing programs like Ego 1.0, Physical(ˈfizikəl) Sensations(senˈsāSHən) 1.3, and Distracting Thoughts(THôt) 2.0. If you want to maximize your creativity, you need to hog(häg,hôg) as much of the CPU as you can get.

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  1. Prevent(priˈvent) interruptions and distractions

If you can’t keep yourself from being disturbed(disˈtərbd) by urgent(ˈərjənt) phone calls, emails, or drop-in visitors, you won’t consistently achieve and maintain(mānˈtān) the flow state. You must do whatever it takes to prevent unnecessary(ˌənˈnesəˌserē) interruptions during your creative periods(ˈpi(ə)rēəd). Make arrangements(əˈrānjmənt) to ensure you won’t be disturbed except in an absolute(ˈabsəˌlo͞ot,ˌabsəˈlo͞ot) emergency(iˈmərjənsē).

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  1. Master your tools

Creating a tangible(ˈtanjəbəl) piece(pēs) of creative work requires tools such as a computer, guitar(giˈtär), or pencil. Even though it may take years, you must achieve basic(ˈbāsik) competency(ˈkämpətəns) with the tools of your trade(trād) before you can consistently enter the flow state.

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https://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/7-rules-for-maximizing-your-creative-output/