‘Creative Space’ — The Sweet Spot Where Ideas Are Brewed and Executed

As a full-time creator, this helps me excel.

The best creators publish. Yes, as simple as that. Look at your favourite writers, YouTubers, influencers. There’s one thing that makes them better than others and that’s consistency.

Algorithms support consistency. Fans and followers like constant engagement. Brands like to collaborate with active people. You’re visible to more people if you’re consistent.

Being consistent is what makes you from good to great, and great to an expert — a level where people want to know more about you and learn from you.

Funnily, consistency is what creators find the hardest, and that's normal. Right now, I publish 20 articles a month, do client work, and create and network on Twitter and LinkedIn. But when I started off, all I did was publish 4 articles a month, which I also found challenging.

During my journey, I came up with a sweet spot known as creative space. It’s helped me reach where I am and I’m sure it’ll help you level up your game if done right.

Are You a Serious Creator?

There are two types of creators:

• Those who fantasise about being one
• Those who are creators

The former have read all recommended books and learn from the top creators. The latter are trying everything they learn, maybe not going viral and possibly failing, but still giving it their best shot.

Non-serious creators will refresh stats and determine success from it. They will hardly ‘do the work’ but pretend like they know it all. Serious creators will invest in learning and doing.

What’s the difference here? Only one of them do the work.

“The easiest thing is to react. The second easiest thing is to respond. But the hardest thing is to initiate.” — Seth Godin

What Helps You Tap Into the ‘Creative Space’?

Now the internet is a dynamic place to be in. One part of the world is always awake and on it. One viral hit can become irrelevant the next day, and everybody is replaceable.

I got a million views on a LinkedIn post once. That fame was short-lived. I’ve had viral articles, they die too. There’s just one thing that stays, and that's what I have control over — my process.

Here’s what serious creators do differently so they can tap into their creative space and focus on creating.

They don’t overthink

They know there’s no perfect piece of work and somebody will always dislike it. They don’t bother about creating the best potential piece of work, they just want to give their best shot at a task and move on to the next. They don’t get attached to the outcomes, because they can’t predict them. Overthinking is self-inflicted pain. They know that creative work is the best with a relaxed mind.

Their work is important to them

I’ve been waking up early and working out for 7 years. You’ll see a similar discipline in most athletes. If your creative work is important to you, you will make time for it. The question you need to ask yourself is, why do you want to do it? And see if the reason is strong enough to push you to create each day.

They know this little secret

As a writer, more writing brings in more ideas that make me write more. An artist will keep their eyes and ears open to capture stories and convey them to the world with their art. Serious creators don’t run away from doing what has to be done, because doing it brings in more ideas to execute.

With that, we see that the problem of consistency gets fixed. Those who are consistent have a powerful motivation to show up each day and do the work.

What Is a Creative Space Like?

The creative space isn’t a space you tap into and perform. It’s a headspace that puts everything aside and helps you unleash your creativity. It's attaching a higher purpose to what you do that drives you each day.

It’s knowing that your first few pieces may not perform well, and being in content with it. It’s knowing that it may not be a lot of money or no money at all and being okay with it.

It’s showing up every day to do what you have to do, instead of thinking of why you cannot show up.

It’s being a serious creator. The serious creator will continue putting in the work even when the non-serious ones find excuses to blame their day or the algorithm.

That’s why the consistent creator wins.

Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come. — Dwayne Johnson

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