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I don’t want to keep writing the same thing over and over again

Surprising

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SURPRISING@2x

The Context

To evolve as an artist, get into the habit of surprising yourself. With every new project you launch, continue to call on yourself a little more than your previous work. Do something you've never done before, whether it's with a new medium, a different theme, a novel distribution strategy, an unexpected marketing tactic or an innovative design approach. By requiring a change in the relative size of what you think is your creative territory, you can unlock new sources of power and expression previously unavailable to you. This will not only surprise you, but surprise your audience as well.

The Tool

two color

Surprising

SURPRISING — A system to call on yourself a little more with each project

One question that's helpful to ask as you create is, how does this restrict my range of expression? If your answer is more significant than you'd like it to be, that's a telltale sign you need to stretch out your project a bit more. Because if we just keep writing the same book over and over, if we keep recycling ourselves with each project, then we're doing our creative talents a disservice. How are you surprising yourself as an artist? What's your system to call on yourself a little more than your previous creations? The key to this evolutionary process is, focus on joy, not winning. Because the whole point here isn't to compete with or compare to ourselves. That can become toxic. Maisel's book on creativity for life warns us not to take it over the edge. Guard against the internal pressure to continually top yourself. Watch that you don't grow insatiable. How high must you rise? So high that no one in your field can even consider herself your equal? No feast is so sumptuous that an insatiable appetite won’t find it wanting.

Scott's Take

Scott's Take

After I was finished producing three feature length music films in four years, one of which was a concert documentary, one of which was a motivational masterclass, and one of which was an animated folk rock opera, my filmmaking itch was officially done being scratched. The time had come to move on and extend my artistic talent into other areas. That's when my idea for a product development and innovation gameshow rose to the fore of my creative mind. This new project would be the ideal format to advance and express my vision, and also demonstrate what I was capable of as an artist, even if only to myself. Several years later, the project had evolved beyond my wildest dreams. With dozens of episodes under my belt, not to mention the prototype of the party card game in my hands to touch and smell, my pride in having exceeded my own creative expectations was through the roof. Wow, you created this new thing that you've never made before, in a manner that you've never made anything before. Mission accomplished.

The Rest

Ultimately, what you’re trying to do as a creative person is surprise yourself. To make new things that help you find out who you really are. What is restricting your range of creative expression?

The Benefits

Surprise and delight your audience
Extend your artistic talent into new areas
Advance your creative vision in novel ways
Unlock new sources of power and expression previously unavailable to you

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