Tuning Out The Noise: The Lifelong Pursuit of Creative Focus
“No one can construct for you the bridge upon which precisely you must cross the stream of life, no one but you yourself alone.”
~Friedrich Nietzsche
Creativity is an exhilarating roller-coaster ride. It's akin to being in a vibrant, buzzing city, with car horns blaring, people chattering incessantly, and towering skyscrapers shadowing the streets. Amidst this chaos, we're expected to find our bearings and reach our destination. Our journey of creativity is strikingly similar to this scenario. It's rife with an array of influences, trends, and distractions. As such, mastering the art of tuning out this 'noise' becomes pivotal in our pursuit of creativity.
Stay in Your Lane: Your Unique Path
To begin, let's explore the issue of comparison, a pitfall into which many of us inadvertently fall. The 'grass is greener on the other side’ mentality can lead to a detrimental fixation on other people's successes. In doing so, we risk losing sight of our unique creative journeys.
The creative world is diverse, much like an ecosystem, where each creature plays a unique role. We, as creators, must find our 'lane,' and pursue it with unwavering focus. When you stay in your own lane, there is no traffic.
Take the example of Pixar, the trailblazer in the animation industry today. At its onset, Pixar faced immense financial struggles and fierce competition from well-established studios. They could have chosen the easy way and replicated the tried-and-tested formula of their competitors. However, they decided to stay in their lane, creating their path, utilizing their unique style of storytelling, and embracing advanced CGI technology.
This path was undoubtedly not easy. It demanded resilience, patience, and unwavering belief in their vision. But when they released 'Toy Story,' the first-ever fully computer-animated feature film, their efforts paid off. The film revolutionized the animation industry, proving that by staying in their lane and focusing on their unique creative vision, Pixar could carve a niche for themselves amidst the intense competition.
Set Trends, Don't Follow: The Basis of Innovation
Today, trends come and go at breakneck speed. In this whirlwind of change, it's often tempting to ride the wave of the latest trend. But isn't this an endless race? A race where the finish line is always moving further away?
Instead of mindlessly chasing trends, why not be the trendsetter? Why not pave a new path? After all, creativity is all about innovation, about bringing something new and unique to the table.
The world of fashion provides an apt illustration of this point. Coco Chanel, a name synonymous with fashion innovation, brought about a paradigm shift in women's fashion. At a time when corsets and elaborate gowns were the norm, Chanel dared to go against the grain. She introduced casual, comfortable clothing, a move perceived as unconventional and even controversial in those times.
But Chanel held firm in her belief. She trusted her creative intuition and continued to create designs that she believed in. Over time, her designs caught on, and what was once considered unconventional became the new trend. The story of Coco Chanel underscores the fact that your unique perspective and creativity can become a trend that others will want to follow.
Think Long Term: The Marathon of Creativity
In today's fast-paced world, immediate gratification has become the norm. We often find ourselves getting swept up in short-term goals, quick wins, and instant applause. But let's pause for a moment and ask ourselves - is creativity a sprint or a marathon?
Consider the creation of architectural marvels, such as the Eiffel Tower or the Great Pyramids of Egypt. The architects didn't just think about the immediate construction process. They had a long-term vision, an idea of what the final structure would look like even before they laid the first stone.
Similarly, in our creative pursuits, we need to adopt a long-term perspective. Think about your life not just in terms of months or even years, but in terms of decades and half-decades. What kind of creative legacy do you want to leave behind? What is your long-term creative vision?
J.K. Rowling, the author of the globally loved Harry Potter series, offers a stellar example of this approach. The creation of the magical world of Harry Potter wasn't a spontaneous or haphazard process. It was the result of years of meticulous planning and envisioning. Rowling even mapped out the entire seven-book series before she published the first book.
This kind of long-term thinking is crucial in creativity. Whether you're a writer planning a book series, a musician composing an album, or a filmmaker creating a film franchise, remember to take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and plan accordingly.
Find Solitude: A Sanctuary for Deep Creative Work
My experience living in a house full of people was a lesson in the paradox of creativity. On the one hand, I was constantly inspired, with ideas flowing from different minds. On the other hand, I found myself easily distracted, hopping from one concept to another without fully realizing any of them. It was only when I discovered the bliss of solitude that I could truly tap into my creative potential.
There's a reason why many great thinkers and creators throughout history have sought solitude. Solitude provides a sanctuary where ideas can flourish, where deep work can be done without distractions.
Consider the example of the renowned writer, Henry David Thoreau. He undertook a two-year experiment of living in solitude by Walden Pond, devoid of human company and the trappings of modern society. In this solitude, he delved deeper into his thoughts, ideas, and observations about life and nature. This exploration resulted in his famous work, "Walden," a profound reflection on simple living in natural surroundings.
This is not to say that we should all abandon society and retreat into the woods. But it is crucial to carve out periods of solitude in our lives, moments where we can shut out the noise and dive deep into our creative work.
Courage & Trusting Your Creative Intuition
Lastly, the most vital ingredient in our creative journey is courage. The courage to trust your intuition, to follow your heart, even when the path is not clear. The road less traveled is less traveled for a reason. It's riddled with uncertainties and challenges. But isn't that where the true adventure lies?
Consider the creative journey of the acclaimed filmmaker, Christopher Nolan. Nolan has always trusted his intuition, creating films with complex, non-linear narratives, a stark contrast to mainstream Hollywood storytelling conventions. His films, such as 'Inception' and 'Interstellar,' often leave audiences pondering long after the credits roll. This unique storytelling style has not only earned him a loyal fan base but also critical acclaim and commercial success.
But more than just success metrics, there’s nothing more liberating than doing what you feel is right. There will certainly be times when people don’t see your vision or what you’re trying to do, but that’s okay. You don’t owe an explanation to anyone, especially when they don’t have to walk in your shoes.
Final Thoughts
Tuning out the noise is not about isolating ourselves from the world, but about finding our voice amidst the chaos. It's about cultivating our unique creative vision, setting trends instead of blindly following them, adopting a long-term perspective, creating space for solitude in our lives, and above all, having the courage to follow our heart and intuition.
I hope these principles have given you some guidance to help you achieve your full creative potential. As always, thanks for reading.
-P