Productivity Archives - Accidental Creative

Anything of value that you wish to create will require a significant investment of time. Brilliant work is expensive.

Slow and Steady Does NOT Win The Race

Don’t be lulled into the idea that being busy and making progress is necessarily going to net you a win. You have to be intentional and deliberate about your activity, and you have to be willing to sprint when the occasion calls for it.

The Accidental Creative

AC Podcast: Getting Unstuck

There are three common places where you might get stuck when doing challenging creative work. Here's how to identify each, and some tools for re-gaining traction.

Process

Don’t Allow Your Rituals To Become Ruts

Simply changing your circumstances or your productivity system might inject a measure of energy into your work and give you a boost for a short while, but that increase in output will be short-lived if you aren’t committed to an outcome.

The Accidental Creative

AC Podcast: Chris Ducker on Overcoming “Superhero Syndrome”

Do you feel a compulsive need to "do it all"? On today's episode, Chris Ducker is going to share how to learn to let go with tips from his new book Virtual Freedom.

Process

Are “Time Drains” Ruining Your Productivity?

You have 168 hours each week. Some of those hours you will probably spend doing things you have to do, some of them doing things you choose to do, and some of them doing things simply on autopilot.

The Accidental Creative

AC Podcast: Steven Kotler on Achieving “Flow”

Steven Kotler, author of THE RISE OF SUPERMAN, shares practical insights on how to trigger the peak performance state called "flow" more consistently in life and work.

The Accidental Creative

AC Podcast: The Perils of ‘Trying Harder’

When the ideas aren't flowing the way you'd like, there can be a strong temptation to "knuckle down" and simply try harder on a project. While diligence and urgency are critical to doing excellent work, there are times when additional effort alone will be ineffective.

Process

Build Buffers To Focus Your Creative Energy

Feeling a bit stressed? Manage your energy and bring more of your best effort every day by establishing buffers between important meetings and tasks.

Process

Which Productivity Profile Are You?

In my brand new book Die Empty, I examine the common places where bright, sharp, talented people eventually get stuck in their life and career. The goal, of course, is to get your best work out of you every day and to not leave it inside or take it to your grave with you like so many people do.

Process

Why So Many Creatives Struggle With Discipline

Discipline is sometimes perceived as a "dirty word" because it's interpreted as pushing through the muck, doing the unenjoyable activities first, and forgoing the chocolate cake for the steamed broccoli. However, I think this is a gross misunderstanding of the word.

The Accidental Creative

AC Podcast: FATE and Fate

There are four key factors that will determine your long-term effectiveness in life and work. Your FATE determines your fate.

The Accidental Creative

AC Podcast: Set Artificial Limits

True creative freedom has healthy boundaries. Here are a few ways to set boundaries that provide a springboard for your creative process.

Process

Why Ideas Don’t Get Executed

The generation of a great idea is just a small precursor to the real work - the execution.