The Creative Habit

01Understanding the Power of Habit Formation

You're sitting at your desk, a blank canvas in front of you, waiting for inspiration to strike. But instead of a flood of ideas, you're met with a deafening silence. Sounds familiar? Well, you're not alone. This is a common scenario for many creatives, and it's exactly what Twyla Tharp addresses in her book "The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life". Tharp argues that creativity isn't just about waiting for that elusive spark of inspiration. It's about harnessing the power of habits to create a structure that allows creativity to flourish. Habits, according to Tharp, are the invisible architecture of our lives. They shape our actions, our decisions, and ultimately, our outcomes. Think about it. When you brush your teeth in the morning, you don't have to consciously decide to do it. It's a habit. This automation frees up your mental resources for other tasks. Now, imagine if you could do the same for your creative process. By developing a creative habit, you can reduce the mental load of starting a project, thereby reducing anxiety and promoting creativity. But how do we form habits? Tharp introduces the concept of the habit loop, which consists of a cue, a routine, and a reward. The cue triggers the routine, and the reward reinforces the habit. Understanding this process can help us develop beneficial habits and replace harmful ones. So, how do we apply this to our creative process? First, we need to identify our current habits and assess their impact. Are they helping or hindering our creativity? Once we've identified the habits we want to change, we can use the habit loop to develop new, beneficial habits. For example, if you're a writer, your cue could be a cup of coffee in the morning. Your routine could be writing for an hour, and your reward could be a short break to do something you enjoy. Over time, this routine becomes a habit, and you'll find yourself writing without having to consciously decide to do it. But remember, developing beneficial habits takes time and consistency. It's not about making drastic changes overnight. It's about making small, incremental changes that add up over time. In conclusion, habit formation is a powerful tool that can enhance our creativity and productivity. By understanding the science behind habit formation and harnessing its power, we can create a structure that allows our creativity to flourish. So, take a moment to assess your own habits. Consider how you can harness the power of habit formation to enhance your own creativity and productivity. After all, as Tharp reminds us, "In the end, there is no ideal condition for creativity. What works for one person is useless for another. The only criterion is this: Make it easy on yourself. Find a working environment where the prospect of wrestling with your muse doesn't scare you, doesn't shut you down. It should make you want to be there..."