The Context
Chappelle once shared his take on his creative moment of conception. The offering drives. If you have an idea, it’s the driver that says get in the car. You ask where it’s going but it says, don’t worry about it, I’m driving. And sometimes you’re sitting shotgun, and sometimes you’re stuck in the fucking trunk. But the idea always drives. Dave is referring to is sheer humility and surrender that the creative process requires.
The Tool
Hyperactive Listening
HYPERACTIVE LISTENING -- Tuning into your creative flow with humility, curiosity and trust to discover what wants to be written
There's some popular research conducted by an accident advice hotline. Their study of two thousand motorists shows that seven in ten believe there is nothing more annoying than a back seat driver. And what’s fascinating is, a quarter of the people surveyed have missed a turn after being distracted, and seven percent have even endured more serious consequences such as a collision with a car, cyclist or pedestrian, all thanks to their back seat driver. Has that ever happened to one of your ideas? You tried to control it and ended up plowing into troupe of girl scouts? Perhaps you should review the official checklist of back seat driver behaviors. It refers mostly to motorist behavior, but it’s surprisingly analogous to the creative process. Criticizing the driver's decisions behind the wheel. Complaining about the driver going too fast. Gasping loudly at any slight braking movement. Flinching when you feel the driver is too close to another vehicle, obstacle or wall. Complaining about the driver going too slowly. Pointing out when to turn off or onto a road at a junction. Pressing an imaginary brake pedal. Advising on which lane the driver should be in. Telling the driver when the traffic lights have changed to green. Insisting on giving directions. Interfering with the music. Swearing at other drivers. Getting road rage on the driver's behalf. Waving thanks at other drivers for letting you out. Reading out the road signs as they pass. Changing the car temperature. Holding your hands over your face. Closing your eyes frequently when someone else is driving. Disagreeing with navigation technology.
The Rest
In my experience, here's why writer's block and failure to execute is so common. People aren't willing to let go of the wheel. As a result, their brain children don't receive adequate room to maneuver on the road. Not that we shouldn't be proactive with our ideas. Ambition and boldness are necessary fuel for execution. But it is only by dropping the reins that we give our creations the chance to breathe fresh air and grow into what might be. Are you listening to what wants to be written?
The Benefits
Move from idea to execution faster
Give your ideas adequate room to grow
Create more variation and dimension to your work
Launch projects that are honest and innovative