Before we dig into this week, I just want to say thank you to everyone for the overwhelming amount of positive reactions that I’ve gotten just in the last 3 weeks since starting The Newsletter – specifically to those who have emailed and texted me directly to tell me how much they’ve enjoyed it thus far. You are all so supportive and I appreciate the kind words more than you know. That being said, we’re going to keep this installment short and sweet because I think the topic of conversation this week packs a stronger punch if it’s left alone for your mind to toy with. I want to talk about creating from your own history, how former creative (or non-creative) endeavors can change the outcome of your current expression, and hopefully open conversation within this context for further exploring what this could look like.
The idea is that creative projects can and will shape our future projects one way or another. Here’s an example – a landscaper/gardener in California has a thriving lawn care business for years but he’s passionate about making films. After years of working with high dollar clients in California, he decides to finally pursue his dreams of being a filmmaker. His sets are out of this world, specifically the outdoor scenes. After a while his creative juices get to flowing and he becomes known for his other-worldly set designs and it’s cemented into his work as a “staple” for him to make beautiful outdoor movie sets all because he looks at the outdoors differently than most. This is how I like to visualize the concept of creative history manipulating future creative endeavors. A funny and loose example, but a beautiful thought to entertain.
What if every single thing that we create bleeds into future ideas.
I know this isn’t a revolutionary thing I’m talking about. But it is something that’s been on my mind lately and here’s why. If we come to accept that everything we’re doing now can essentially have its hands in all of our future ideas… are we happy with what we’re cultivating for ourselves in the now? If not, what can we do about it? I was struck with fear when I was aware that my current ideas could potentially be ‘watered down’ by past projects I’m not the biggest fan of. But I quickly realized that growth is not linear, it ebbs and flows with our creative journey. Fear is inevitable, but we must learn to accept that our future work will always be the product of what we have done and will do. However, this is where a creative persons style is formed and molded and that should encourage the fearful artist.
If we’re stuck confronting fear, then we’re not creating anything that we feel a strong enough conviction about. If we were convicted, we would act.
Everything that everyone does will change the execution of future business models, creative masterpieces, worldviews, and perspective to a certain degree. What would a florist turned photographer be doing differently than someone who’s only worked with photos? How would a musician approach taking their first stab at sculpting? How can we find a comfortable place with ourselves if we begin to create from a forward thinking place that looks at the future of our work?
Yet, it’s entirely possible that the beauty of a creative life is that our work will constantly evolve, and we must refuse to hinder ourselves in the present moment for the sake of future preservation.
Missed last weeks installment to The Newsletter? Read it here.