This week we’ve covered some frameworks for building a habit.
Today we are going to pivot and talk about creative work – at your official job or outside.
Developing a creative habit was the foundation of Seth Godin’s book The Practice.
The book starts with this:
Shipping: Because it doesn’t count if you don’t share it.
Creative: Because you’re not a cog in the system. You’re a creator, a problem solver, a generous leader who is making things better by producing a new way forward.
Work: Because it’s not a hobby. You might not get paid for it, not today, but you approach it as a professional. The muse is not the point, excuses are avoided, and the work is why you are here.
Then, this point is made:
“The practice demands that we approach our process with commitment. It acknowledges that creativity is not an event, it’s simply what we do, whether or not we’re in the mood.”
My Perspective
Right there, on the first page of the book, Seth makes the point of the creative habit.
The professional commits to producing every day AND shipping.
If we tie this concept to that of tiny habits, we can start small and build over time.
I’ve watched this work with my creative endeavors.
Taking a photo every day for several years improved my photography.
Writing every day has improved my writing.
For me, the practice of creation has been easier than the practice of shipping.
The writing is now shipping with posts on the website every weekday.
I’m working to lean in further on the shipping side in the year to come.
Your Turn
What is your daily creative practice?
Do you ship with the same consistency as you create?
How could you use what we’ve learned about habits to create and ship every day?