Science shows us why and when resolutions fail, what we need to change, and how to make resolutions that work. Personal change is a process filled with small steps, creative mindsets, and daily practices
Creativity is just that - creating. That does not mean that every creation is a light bulb moment, but the fact that you take the time to create, whether the creation is great or terrible, is a building block/a learning moment. Taking the time to create means that at some point, whether now or in the future, you will have created something that you are proud of. Keep a journal of your creations, just like a song writer keeps a journal of snippets that eventually get woven together and edited to make a wonderful piece. Do it!
In 2026, I'm gonna read the three books of yours that I have but never got 'round to (zigzag, learning to see, and explaining creativity). And I am going to get paint all over myself.
Thank you! I recommend Zig Zag first because it's fun, and also because it's easy to read in small bits. But of those, the one I am most proud of is Learning to See. It is based on my interviews with artists and designers, and I tell their stories, and I haven't read these stories anywhere else! It turns out that no one asked them how they think about what it takes to learn how to be a creator and what they do to help others learn it. They are brilliant! I've been posting quotations from them to Instagram and other channels, they are tiny nuggets of inspirational wisdom
I've always disliked "New Year's Resolutions". After all, if I'm serious about doing something I can create the intention any time--I don't have to wait till Dec 31st. But the most important thing is taking action--even if it is only one small baby step. I've learned that if you take enough baby steps, you can actually get somewhere!
Thank you for that! 😊 I myself really enjoy learning about those things, too. So it's fun doing those episodes. I've gotten some good feedback and each person is attracted to different stories and topics, so I'll try to keep doing a variety. There are lots of podcasts that focus on, for example, boardgame reviews, or artists, but for me any time it's a story about creativity, I'm interested! You might like my very first episode, the story of the Monopoly boardgame
Creativity is just that - creating. That does not mean that every creation is a light bulb moment, but the fact that you take the time to create, whether the creation is great or terrible, is a building block/a learning moment. Taking the time to create means that at some point, whether now or in the future, you will have created something that you are proud of. Keep a journal of your creations, just like a song writer keeps a journal of snippets that eventually get woven together and edited to make a wonderful piece. Do it!
I love this advice! Yes, keep a journal, save everything you do, even the mistakes
Yes, mistakes are able to be edited and become wonderful ideas!
In 2026, I'm gonna read the three books of yours that I have but never got 'round to (zigzag, learning to see, and explaining creativity). And I am going to get paint all over myself.
Thank you! I recommend Zig Zag first because it's fun, and also because it's easy to read in small bits. But of those, the one I am most proud of is Learning to See. It is based on my interviews with artists and designers, and I tell their stories, and I haven't read these stories anywhere else! It turns out that no one asked them how they think about what it takes to learn how to be a creator and what they do to help others learn it. They are brilliant! I've been posting quotations from them to Instagram and other channels, they are tiny nuggets of inspirational wisdom
I've always disliked "New Year's Resolutions". After all, if I'm serious about doing something I can create the intention any time--I don't have to wait till Dec 31st. But the most important thing is taking action--even if it is only one small baby step. I've learned that if you take enough baby steps, you can actually get somewhere!
Thanks for the article.
I agree, it's about action, about behavior, and tiny steps. I think my resolution is going to be to relax more and do less
I actually enjoyed a couple of podcasts on obscure historical facts! Let them be
Thank you for that! 😊 I myself really enjoy learning about those things, too. So it's fun doing those episodes. I've gotten some good feedback and each person is attracted to different stories and topics, so I'll try to keep doing a variety. There are lots of podcasts that focus on, for example, boardgame reviews, or artists, but for me any time it's a story about creativity, I'm interested! You might like my very first episode, the story of the Monopoly boardgame