Podcast Summary
Unlocking Creativity: A Biological Necessity: Creativity is a practice, a habit, and a muscle that can be developed by anyone. Embrace risks, take action, and use resources like Chase Jarvis' book 'Creative Calling' to tap into your innate creativity and enhance physical abilities with innovative performance clothing from brands like On.
Creativity is not an exclusive gift for a select few, but rather a practice, a habit, and a muscle that can be developed by anyone. As Chase Jarvis, a renowned photographer, entrepreneur, and author, emphasizes, creativity is a biological necessity that can transform our lives and bring greater meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. It's through action and practice that we learn and grow, so it's essential to take risks and embrace the doing rather than just intellectualizing. Chase's new book, "Creative Calling," is an excellent resource for anyone looking to tap into their innate creativity and unleash its power. Additionally, it's worth noting that On, a leading apparel brand, is innovating in the space of performance clothing, offering next-gen fabrics and technology to enhance our physical abilities.
Exploring Creativity's Role in Modern Life: Creativity is a universal human trait essential for well-being, accessible to all, and crucial for entrepreneurs and creators alike.
Creativity is an innate, essential aspect of being human and establishing a creative practice is crucial for our well-being, just as important as exercise or nutrition. This book, "Creative Calling," is positioned to be the modern iteration of timeless primers on creativity, addressing the gaps between the past and present by discussing both the freedoms and constraints that impact creators and entrepreneurs. The book broadens the definition of creativity, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their profession or identification as a creator. Creativity is not exclusive, but a universal aspect of the human condition. By understanding and embracing creativity, we can unlock immense and powerful meaning in our lives.
Embrace Your Inherent Creativity: Recognize creativity as a renewable resource, strengthen it through practice, and appreciate the journey behind accomplishments
Creativity is a non-depleting renewable resource within each person, and it's not limited to artistic or entrepreneurial pursuits. It's the act of combining seemingly disparate elements to create something new and useful. Creativity is a muscle that can be strengthened through intentional practice, and it's not about the end result but the process itself. Everyday creative acts, such as cooking, building a family, or writing code, provide valuable insights and agency to shape the larger arc of one's life. By recognizing and embracing our inherent creativity, we can live more intentionally and design our lives with purpose. Additionally, it's essential to appreciate the journey and process behind the accomplishments of those we admire, rather than assuming they were an overnight success.
Embrace the messiness of life and creativity: Success often comes from unexpected experiences and decisions, even if they don't seem significant at the time
The traditional path to success, as prescribed by many, may not be the most effective or fulfilling one. Many successful people have led disjointed lives with diverse experiences that ultimately contributed to their success. It's essential to understand that these seemingly random experiences and decisions often pay off in unexpected ways, even if it's not immediately apparent. The book "Chasing Excellence" by Chase Jarvis emphasizes this idea and encourages readers to embrace the messiness of life and creativity. The author shares his own experiences and the stories of people he admires, demonstrating that the number of pivotal decisions required to significantly change one's life is often small. So, even if you feel stuck or off-course, remember that you have the power to shift gears and create the next chapter of your life. The book is primarily prescriptive but includes personal stories that might seem like diversions but, in fact, underscore the importance of embracing the messiness of life and creativity.
The pressure to conform to societal expectations: Societal influences, though well-intentioned, can lead us away from our unique paths. It's important to remember and honor our individual interests and passions.
Despite having different backgrounds and career paths, we all face similar challenges in defining our identity and choosing which path to follow. The speaker's story, growing up as an only child of a cop and a biotech worker, being a sensitive and creative child with athletic prowess, and making the decision to prioritize sports over art, is a universal experience. This moment, although seemingly insignificant, shaped the speaker's life, leading him to college on a soccer scholarship and away from his passion for art. However, after his grandfather's death, he was reminded of his early interest in art and photography, and made the choice to pursue it. The speaker emphasizes that this pressure to conform to societal expectations, often coming from loved ones, is not malicious but well-intentioned. It's important to remember that these influences, while wanting the best for us, can still lead us away from our unique paths.
Exploring Creativity Despite Societal Expectations: Trust intuition and self-awareness to pursue unique passions, despite societal pressures and conditioning.
Everyone has an inherent creativity within them, but societal expectations and cultural norms can often suppress it. This was highlighted in a story shared about receiving cameras from a grandfather, which could have easily been ignored or forgotten. However, the recipient unconsciously or consciously sought an excuse to explore this creativity. The speaker encourages listeners to trust their intuition and self-awareness, as these instincts can lead them towards their unique path. It's important to remember that expectations and "shoulds" never truly disappear, but individuals have the power to manage them and develop tools to pursue their passions. This process can be challenging, as societal conditioning can create denial mechanisms to prevent intuitions from surfacing. But, the reminder that one is not alone in this journey can be a powerful catalyst for change. The call to action is to start small, listen to the inner voice, and begin moving towards the thing that resonates with one's values and creativity.
The Dangers of Repressing Creativity: Recognizing and expressing creativity, even in small ways, can lead to fulfillment, purpose, and a better understanding of ourselves. Denying our creative impulses can have negative effects on our lives.
Repressing creativity is a dangerous thing that can lead to various forms of damage in life. It's important to recognize and acknowledge our creative abilities, as everything around us was created, and denying this force can affect many areas of our lives. Our culture often sends messages that pursuing creativity is naive or foolish, but denying our creative impulses goes against our fundamental DNA. Acknowledging and expressing creativity, even in small ways, can help us see that we have agency over our lives and lead to fulfillment and purpose. We're on the cusp of a new era where creativity is being recognized as the new literacy, and it's essential to our humanity. The movie "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" is a great example of the dangers of repressing creativity and the importance of rediscovering it. It's not too late to reconnect with our creative selves, and looking backwards to identify what brought us joy can help us determine what our daily creative practice should look like.
Discovering simple joys and moments of reflection: Seek out moments of joy and reflection to foster personal growth and self-discovery, whether through life changes or intentional actions.
Finding simple joys and making time for them every day can lead to personal growth and awakening. This can be as simple as playing with a baseball in the park or pursuing a creative passion. Trauma or significant life changes can serve as catalysts for introspection and self-discovery, but it's not necessary to wait for such events. Instead, we can actively seek out moments of reflection and listen to the whispers of our intuition to guide us towards our passions and purpose. These discoveries may not come with a clear roadmap, but with patience and practice, we can learn to listen more closely and follow the path within.
Staying true to our inner compass: Calibrate inner compass, recognize external pressures, and persistently seek authentic desires to find our true path
Our inner compass is a valuable guide, even if the path ahead is uncertain. It's not a map that lays out the entire journey for us, but rather a compass that points us in the right direction. However, it's essential to ensure our compasses are properly calibrated. Misidentified instincts can lead us astray if we haven't done the necessary internal work. Trauma, loss, and extreme joy can serve as valuable reminders, but ideally, we should strive to discover our true paths without relying on these experiences. It's essential to recognize that external pressures, such as parents or society, may not always align with our authentic desires. The journey towards finding our true path may involve detours and false idols, but with persistence and self-awareness, we can eventually arrive at our destination.
Finding your creative voice amidst life's challenges: Learning from setbacks and focusing on goals helps build resilience and agency. Embracing challenges in learning new skills leads to deeper understanding and appreciation.
Navigating life's challenges and discovering your creative voice requires intentionality and the ability to learn from mistakes. As young individuals, we may face pressure from external sources, like mentors or family members, that seem to derail our plans. However, these setbacks can serve as opportunities to strengthen our resilience and develop our agency. By focusing on our goals and taking deliberate actions, we can create a life that aligns with our desires, even if it means disappointing some people along the way. Moreover, the process of learning and mastering a craft, such as photography, can be difficult but rewarding. Embracing the challenges and paying close attention to the details can lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and a newfound appreciation for the learning process. Ultimately, living with intention and taking control of our lives, rather than reacting to external stimuli, is essential for personal growth and creativity.
Transitioning from traditional to new technology: Embrace lifelong learning, adapt to new technologies, and focus on progress and growth to overcome adversity and find opportunities.
Embracing a mindset of lifelong learning and adapting to new technologies, even if they disrupt traditional methods, can lead to personal growth and opportunities. This was the experience of a professional photographer who transitioned from analog to digital photography, despite initial resistance from peers. By seeing the potential of digital technology to accelerate learning and reach a larger audience, he was able to overcome adversity, thrive in the new landscape, and ultimately reframe the value of his craft. Additionally, the journey to mastering a skill, no matter the path taken, is what truly matters in the end. Impostor syndrome and fears of not deserving success are common, but temporary, as the focus should be on progress and growth.
Unconventional paths to creativity and success in photography: Embrace unconventional approaches to creativity and success in photography, as shown by speakers who shared trade secrets online and disrupted the industry with action sports sponsorships.
Creativity and success don't always follow conventional paths. The speakers in this conversation, both in their respective fields of photography, didn't adhere to the traditional ways of achieving proficiency and recognition. They each faced their fears and doubts, but managed to push through, paving the way for future creators. At a time when the internet was starting to revolutionize the flow of information, one speaker chose to share the secrets of the trade, despite initial resistance. This unconventional approach ultimately led to a large following and the education of a new generation of photographers. Another speaker disrupted the industry by bringing sponsorships from action sports into photography, challenging the norms and opening new opportunities. These stories serve as reminders that creativity is abundant and infinite, and exploring it through an abundant mindset can lead to unexpected yet fruitful outcomes. Embrace your path, no matter how unconventional it may seem.
Challenging traditional notions of art: Embrace the unconventional, be willing to be misunderstood, and celebrate authenticity for innovation and art expansion
Embracing the unconventional and being willing to be misunderstood can lead to innovation and the expansion of art forms. The speaker's experience in the photography industry, where he championed the value of mobile photography despite resistance, is an example of this pattern. He encourages celebrating the authenticity and artistry of everyday snapshots, which have become widely accessible through the internet. Jeff Bezos' quote about being misunderstood for long periods of time resonates with this idea, as it applies to various aspects of life. The speaker's anecdote about curating a show featuring images from photographers of all levels, including famous ones and amateurs, highlights the subversive nature of challenging traditional notions of art and its value. Ultimately, it's essential to question who gets to decide what is art and to appreciate the unique contributions of individuals, regardless of their background or expertise.
Valuing yourself and your work: Recognize the value of experience, connections, and portfolio building from free or low-paying opportunities, while also knowing when to ask for fair compensation.
Establishing value for your work is crucial, whether you're starting out or already established in your career. Valuing yourself and your work doesn't mean you have to refuse all free or low-paying opportunities. Instead, it's about recognizing the value of experience, connections, and portfolio building that come with these opportunities, while also knowing when to ask for fair compensation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of learning the skill of knowing when to transition from free work to paid work and advocates for action over intellect in learning this skill. Community and building relationships are also essential for success, and they provide opportunities for learning, support, and growth. Ultimately, it's about finding a balance between valuing yourself and your work while also recognizing the value of other aspects of the creative process.
Embrace imperfection and detach from results: Starting new projects can be scary, but don't be too attached to the outcome. Keep creating and focus on the next opportunity. Life has two arcs: accumulating wisdom and recognizing when you have enough. A life-altering event can trigger this shift.
Starting something new, especially when you have little experience, can be daunting. However, being overly precious about your work can lead to missteps and a misjudgment of the business landscape. Instead, it's important to keep creating and moving on to the next project, allowing yourself to detach from the results. Additionally, there are two arcs in a life: the first is accumulating wisdom, knowledge, and connections, and the second is recognizing that you have enough and shifting your focus beyond just yourself. This shift can be a beautiful transformation, but it may also come as a result of a life-altering event. For Chase Jarvis, this event was a near-tragedy in the form of an avalanche. Despite achieving his dreams and having everything to lose, the fear of losing it all led him to question his priorities and embrace a more open, aware mindset.
Inspired by personal experience, first iPhone photo app overcame challenges to become a success.: Personal experiences can inspire innovative ideas, even if met with initial resistance, and can lead to significant impact and new opportunities.
The creation of the first iPhone app for sharing photos with filters, predating Instagram, was inspired by a personal experience of survival and the desire to share that experience with others. The app, which popularized the phrase "the best camera is the one that's with you," was initially met with resistance from Apple due to the novel concept of a photo feed. Overcoming this challenge, the app became a success and contributed to the modern vernacular of photography. The experience of creating the app and the gifts earned along the way led the creator to a new perspective on what was possible and a desire to share that experience with others at scale.
Importance of controlling app code and IP: Clear contracts and codebase control are crucial for app innovation and growth. Without them, competitors can surpass you, leaving you unable to manage or improve your product.
Controlling the code and intellectual property of a successful app is crucial for its continued innovation and growth. In 2009, a developer created an app that quickly rose to number one in the App Store, but due to a misunderstood contract, the developer didn't have access to the code or the ability to update it. This left the door open for competitors to innovate and eventually surpass the original app. The developer was left paralyzed, unable to manage or improve the product, leading to its eventual demise. This story highlights the importance of clear contracts and maintaining control over the codebase in the rapidly evolving world of app development. Despite the app's initial success, the lack of control ultimately led to its downfall.
From failure to success: Creating something new: Despite setbacks, lessons learned can lead to new opportunities and impactful creations. Creator's journey inspires self-refusal and the power of creativity.
Even in the face of failure and personal setbacks, the lessons learned can be leveraged to create something new and impactful. The speaker's experience with his best camera business, which ultimately didn't succeed, led him to create CreativeLive, a platform for creators and entrepreneurs to learn various skills. CreativeLive has reached over 10 million people and offers free video lessons, as well as individual classes and a subscription. The speaker's journey from being told he shouldn't focus on creativity to becoming a successful creator himself is a testament to the power of creativity and self-refusal. Writing a book about his experiences was a reluctant decision but necessary to reach a wider audience and share the value of creativity as a universal human superpower.
Myth of starving artist vs creativity and financial well-being: Creativity and financial success can coexist, challenge limiting beliefs about creativity and money
Creativity and financial well-being are not mutually exclusive. According to the speaker, this is a myth that needs to be dispelled. The idea of the starving artist is toxic and has prevented many from recognizing the power of creativity. In fact, money is one of the "big three" aspects of creativity, and it's important to have a healthy financial situation to support and sustain creative pursuits. The speaker's own experience of writing a book about creativity while relying on the book's future sales for financial support is a testament to this. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes that the struggles and fears around creativity never go away, but with the right mindset and resources, they can be navigated. Overall, the speaker's message is that creativity and financial success can coexist and support each other, and it's important to challenge limiting beliefs and myths that suggest otherwise.
Creativity and Money: A Complex Relationship: Embrace creativity and use money as a tool to bring ideas to life, rather than fearing their intersection.
Creativity and money are interconnected and essential in a fulfilling life. Creativity is not only a means to access wealth but also a vehicle for producing impressive opportunities. The relationship between art and commerce is complex, with tension existing between artistic vision and market demands. This tension can lead to great genius or disaster. Money should not be feared but embraced as a tool to sustain and facilitate creative pursuits. The fear of engaging with money and creativity is outdated, especially in today's world where technology puts powerful tools at our fingertips. Embrace your creativity and use money as a resource to bring your ideas to life.
Discovering Creativity with Modern Tools: Everyone can be creative with accessible tools like smartphones and social media, and the next generation will likely pursue creative lives.
Everyone has the potential to be creative, and the tools we have today, such as smartphones and social media, make it easier than ever to express that creativity and connect with others. My mom's experience of discovering her own creativity through daily phone photography is a great example. The fear of not being creative or not being a creative person can be damaging, but with the accessibility of these tools, the barrier to entry is low. Even if you didn't grow up with them, stepping into them can be empowering. The next generation, who have grown up with these tools as part of their literacy, will likely pursue lives centered around creativity in ways that were not accessible to us before. So, whether you're already all in on this creative revolution or just testing the waters, it's an exciting time to be a part of it. And, as the world progresses towards an AI-driven society, the importance of identity, earning power, connection, vulnerability, and authenticity will only grow more significant. So, don't blend in with the beige and vanilla, take a risk and participate in this creative world.
Follow your passions and intuition for innovation: Jack Ma's success story highlights the importance of staying true to your vision and following your passions and intuition for innovation, even when market trends may not align.
Following your creativity and passions, rather than chasing after market trends, can lead to innovative and successful ventures. Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, emphasized this point during a speech at the World Economic Forum, sharing that his children focus on creativity and human experiences, rather than coding. Ma believes that leaving your authentic self behind in pursuit of economic prosperity is a heavy price to pay. To continue innovating and staying relevant, Ma suggested trusting your intuition and creating something unique based on what inspires you, rather than following the crowd. This approach allowed him to establish CreativeLive, a popular online learning platform, before the market was ready for it. By staying true to your vision and letting inspiration guide you, you can create meaningful experiences and potentially pave the way for future trends.
Emphasizing the need for self-directed learning and creativity in the modern world: Self-directed learning and creativity are crucial skills for future success. Supplement formal education with personal projects and community building. Reconsider the education system and its financial burden.
The traditional education system is outdated and no longer sufficient for preparing individuals for the complexities of the modern world. The speaker emphasizes the need for self-directed learning and creativity as essential skills for the future. He advocates for supplementing formal education with personal projects and community building. The speaker also highlights the financial burden of student loans and the importance of rethinking the education system as a whole. To contribute to this cause, the speaker is gathering books to donate to teachers in the Seattle Public Schools, encouraging individuals to join him in this initiative and explore their creative potential.
Decentralizing Education and Employment: Seek out knowledge and harness creativity to shape your own educational journey and career path in a decentralized world.
We are living in a time where individuals have the power to take control of their own learning and work experiences. The traditional systems of education and employment are decentralizing, and it's up to each person to create their own educational arc and adapt to new opportunities. This decentralization is evident in various aspects of society, from the radical decentralization of education and the increasing trend of freelance work, to the decentralization of money through cryptocurrencies. With half of the US workforce expected to have a side hustle by 2020, creativity has become critically important in navigating this new landscape. As Seth Godin puts it, this shift is preparing us for new opportunities. It's no longer about reacting to circumstances, but rather intentionally designing the life we aspire to have. So, whether it's through books, podcasts, or online learning platforms, continue to seek out knowledge and harness your creativity to shape your own educational journey and career path.
Shifting Lifestyle Trends: Ownership and Self-Sufficiency: Young people are embracing a more rental-based and impermanent lifestyle with trends towards tiny houses, van living, digital nomadism, and even renting clothes, challenging the traditional concept of ownership and self-sufficiency. Embrace creativity and live a more fulfilling life by exploring these ideas further in Chase Jarvis's book 'Creative Calling'.
The concept of ownership and self-sufficiency is shifting for the next generation. Young people are embracing a more rental-based and impermanent lifestyle, with trends towards tiny houses, van living, digital nomadism, and even renting clothes. This change in mindset has significant implications for how we navigate the world and make choices about our lives. The idea of calcifying in one's ways and being set in old habits is becoming less relevant as the world continues to evolve. Chase Jarvis's book, "Creative Calling," explores these ideas further and offers wisdom on how to reconnect with creativity and live a more fulfilling life. To learn more, check out creativecalling.com or find Chase Jarvis on various platforms like his YouTube channel or website.
A call to action for transformation: Embrace climate change as an opportunity for personal and collective growth through sustainable innovations.
Climate change, despite being a complex and daunting challenge, can be seen as a gift and an opportunity for transformation. From this perspective, the Earth's feedback is a call to action for individuals to take responsibility for their impact on the planet and innovate solutions that connect us more deeply to the natural world. The transformative nature of these solutions offers a chance to grow and evolve, both personally and collectively. Instead of succumbing to self-pity, we can choose to embrace the gift of climate change and work towards creating a more sustainable and harmonious future.
