When Was the Last Time You Felt Uncomfortable?
In the latest episode of “Stuff and Things,” I’m tackling a truth we often avoid: comfort is creativity’s quiet killer.
Here’s the thing – our minds are like gardens. Without new seeds of thought, fresh perspectives, and occasional weeding of old habits, we risk becoming an echo chamber of our own making.
Think about it:
– Same news sources
– Same conversations
– Same routines
= Same results
The solution isn’t complicated, but it is uncomfortable. And maybe that’s exactly what we need.
Challenge yourself today. Read that opposing viewpoint. Take that different route home. Look up from your phone.
Your brain needs a buffet, not fast food.
Because in creativity, curiosity isn’t just an asset – it’s survival.
What’s one thing you’ll do differently today?
This podcast is an expansion on the thought Never Stop Learning from the Book Stuff and Things available in digital and print versions on Amazon.
Audio recorded in home office with improvised cushions for sound. Film content meant to represent a stream of different inputs kind of related to the content about creativity. Did it work?
Previous Episodes can be found on the channels or in the Blog section.
Transcript:
Episode 6 – Never Stop Learning
Never Stop Learning.
Now, let’s be honest. For many of us, the moment we toss our graduation caps in the air, we breathe a sigh of relief and think, “Thank goodness for that, no more learning!” We might pick up new skills on the job or dabble in a hobby, but active, intentional learning? That often falls by the wayside.
But here’s the kicker: in the creative industry – and indeed, in life – not stopping your learning journey isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential. Let me explain why.
Imagine if you read the same newspaper every day, watched the same TV shows, talked to the same people about the same topics. Sure, you’d be comfortable, but you’d also be trapped in an echo chamber of your own making. And in today’s world of algorithm-driven social media, it’s all too easy to fall into this trap. Before you know it, your thoughts are running on a single track, playing the same tune on repeat.
But here’s the thing: to thrive, especially in creative fields, you need a varied diet. And I’m not talking about your lunch options (although clearly that’s important too). I’m talking about a varied diet of ideas, experiences, and perspectives.
Let me share a personal anecdote. Back in 2018 (?), I had the absolute pleasure of meeting a chap named Dave Birss in Montenegro of all places. Now, Dave’s approach to creativity was like a wake-up call. He challenged us to think differently, to break away from the autopilot of typical brainstorming sessions. His message was clear: if we only do what’s expected, we’ll just contribute to the “shitty advertising wallpaper” out there.
Dave’s book – and he’s got quite a few – “How to Get Great Ideas”, has a chapter that resonates deeply with our topic today: “Shaping Your Mind” or “Fill Your Brain with Good Stuff”. The premise is simple yet powerful – the broader and more diverse your inputs, the greater your potential for generating innovative ideas.
So, how do you put this into practice? Well, it’s about embracing curiosity and saying “yes” more often than “no”. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone. If you’re a Guardian reader, pick up The Telegraph once in a while. If you’re an action movie buff, give that art house film a chance. Attend workshops, learn a new skill, engage with people from different backgrounds.
Now, I can hear some of you thinking, “But what if I’m an expert in my field? Isn’t specialisation valuable?”
Well, absolutely! But specifically in the creative industry, we’re often tasked with tackling diverse problems across different sectors. A broad base of knowledge allows us to approach these challenges with fresh perspectives and deeper empathy.
Remember, this isn’t just about becoming a jack of all trades and master of none. It’s also about enriching your expertise with a tapestry of diverse knowledge and experiences.
Here’s a sobering thought: without continual effort to expand our minds, they can only go the other way. We’ve all seen it happen – people retire, and if they don’t keep their brains stimulated, they can very quickly start to regress. It’s a use-it-or-lose-it situation.
So, here’s a challenge for you. After this, do something to expand your mind. Do something different. Read an article on a topic you know nothing about. If you’re that Guardian reader, pick up the Telegraph; it might feel a bit uncomfortable but look at it, see what they’re saying. Look at the other side. Strike up a conversation with someone whose life experience is totally different from yours. Take a different route home and really observe your surroundings. Look up from your phone once in a while, see what the world is looking like. Smell the air, use your eyes, listen.
Because in the world of creativity, ideas are currency. And the those really rich ideas come from minds that never stop learning, never stop growing, and never stop being curious about the world around them.
Part of that curiosity and experimenting is why this episode looks a little bit different. It’s not face to camera, I’m trying something else. In fact this whole podcast series is a bit of an experiment. So, I hope you enjoyed it.
You can, obviously, still buy the book on Amazon. At least tens of people have enjoyed it. Be one of them. Links etc. are all in the bio. Thanks for listening. Until next time…
Good afternoon.
Full list of locations featured in the film:
Little Rituals Coffee Shop, Bradford on Avon, UK
Center Parcs, Woburn, UK
Center Parcs, Woburn, UK
Bar, Limewood Hotel, Lyndhurst, UK
Century Club, London, UK
Up a hill, Bradford on Avon, UK
Team Eleven, Bradford on Avon, UK
Bowie Mugs, Duty Free zone, Girona Airport, Spain
Garden, Hampshire, UK
California’s first theatre, Monterey, California, USA
Bay, Monterey, California USA
Garage, Monterey, California USA
Wine shop sign, Monterey, California USA
Garden, Hampshire, UK
Statue, Monterey, California USA
Fish at Aquarium, Monterey, California USA
Jellyfish at Aquarium, Monterey, California USA
Zed restaurant, Barcelona, Spain (effect by Pika Art)
Big fish at Aquarium, Monterey, California USA
Morro Bay, California USA
Pismo Beach, California, USA
Bakery, Solvang California USA
Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios California, USA
Roof of Century Club, London, UK
Home office, Hampshire, UK
Butts sign – Abbot Kenny Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, USA
Sweaty Betty store, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, USA
Sweaty Betty store, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, USA
Grafitti, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, USA
Aviator Nation store, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, USA
Team Eleven, Bradford on Avon, UK (effect by Pika Art)
Love sign, Aviator Nation store, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, USA
Pray fo rSnow, Aviator Nation store, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, USA
Malibu beach, Los Angeles, California USA
Fairground ride, DisneyWorld, Los Angles, USA
Love heart, DisneyWorld, Los Angles, USA
Rebel Alliance helmet, DisneyWorld, Los Angles, USA
Ferrari, DisneyWorld, Los Angles, USA
Butterfly, California Sciences Museum, San Franciso, California, USA
Dangly time thing, California Sciences Museum, San Franciso, California, USA
Tyres, Goodwood Festival of Speed, West Sussex, UK
Rocketspace, London, UK (effect by Pika Art)
Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium
Canal, Ghent, Belgium
Church of the Blood of Christ, Bruges, Belgium
Street, Bruges, Belgium
Restaurant, Limewood Hotel, Lyndhurst, UK
Lake, Center Parcs, Woburn, UK
Lake, Center Parcs, Woburn, UK
Exterior of escape room, Center Parcs, Woburn, UK
Mural, Northington Street, London, UK
Europa Park, Rust, Germany (effect by Pika Art)
Red wine, Relais Le Bettule, Conegliano, Italy
Coffee, Harbourside, Bristol, UK
Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain
Exterior Segrada Famiglia, Barcelona, Spain
Interior Segrada Famiglia, Barcelona, Spain
Interior Segrada Famiglia, Barcelona, Spain
Interior Segrada Famiglia, Barcelona, Spain
Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain
Street mural, Girona, Spain
Street mural, Girona, Spain
Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain
Sculpture that follows you and freaks you out, Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain
Basilica, Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain
Pot & Grill restaurant, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK
Frogham Hill, New Forest, Hampshire, UK
Red wine, The Lady Ottoline, Northington Street, London, UK
Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain
Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain
Pint, restaurant, Girona, Spain
Piano, West Moors, Dorset, UK
That’s me exiting TV, Crow Farm Shop, Hampshire, UK
McLaren Technology Centre, Woking, UK
Top of Monte Pizzoc, Conegliano, Veneto, Italy
Lobby, Doubletree Hilton, Girona, Spain
Mural, Venice, Los Angles, USA
Little Rituals coffee shop, Bradford on Avon, UK
Home, Hampshire, UK
