Fake Pilot's blog

The path towards creativity (week 9)

Typical, just as I go and buy a new Wacom tablet, they release the next version only a week later. Got the Intuos4 wireless but don’t regret buying it. Have a look at the Intuos5. I’ve tried multi-touch on a Bamboo, only used it for a few days then I felt it got in the way. Either you use the pen all the time, or you use it as a track pad. Also, I’ve heard the new mat soft edges collects dust, so… :-P

Now, what you can do with an Intuos and Zbrush, thought… It’s a pretty amazing combination, that is mainly why I got one. Digital clay. Bamboo haven’t got the software to make different settings for different applications. This alone is a reason to never buy Bamboo! Then the 2067 pressure sensitivity and wheel… 

The start of my week was mostly procrastination for me, did everything BUT work on Insides. Stuff like the update to Facebook comments and random pictures, make my whole invoicing system automatic in iWork Numbers, fixed my budget, got a stock investments account, etc, etc.

Procrastination stopped wednesday night! That’s when change happened, I found this internet course called Creative Pathfinder (which I can’t believe is free). Got the first email thursday morning and I was already hooked. Been working on Insides non-stop since then. Recommend it! If you ever get stuck or need focusing on your creative work, check it out here!

The first lesson was to answer a couple of questions. I want to share my answers with you here:

Lesson 1: What Do You Want to Be When You Grow up?

The worksheet for this lesson will help you get a sense of your big picture career goals, identify the kind of work that inspires you to do your best – and deal with the fear that comes from setting yourself a big challenge.

1. What’s your ambition for yourself?

To earn a living doing work I love to do, as well finding out how creative and good work I can REALLY do. What is my maximum?

2. What’s your ambition for your work?

To make stuff so cool it makes people shit their pants. Provoke. Bring emotions of adrenalin, make people think, to question things.

3. The work you love to do

…when you’re ‘warm’ at work, you’ll feel emotions like excitement, joy and enthusiasm about what you’re doing. When you’re ‘cold’, you’ll feel boredom, frustration, resentment and/or depression.

a) When and where have you felt “warmest” at work?

In the idea, direction and story-building process. But also in the animation and design process, when you discover something that looks really awesome. And when I’m learning something new.

I enjoy the first process because it’s social and involves other people, you think about all the things that make you excited. In a way, that’s the easy part too. Ideas. Seeds. Then you have to make it into something special, that’s the difficult part, but can be more rewarding when you actually succeed doing something unique and tasteful. What I enjoy about the second part is actually seeing things come alive, better than you imagined. Opening that box in your unconscious that never seem empty. Well, it’s a reward in showing it too…

What difference did you feel your work was making?

I know that I have inspired people to start creative work, instead of boring jobs. Might have influenced a tad of political and mindful thinking too. When I think about it, maybe I have influenced people to drink Coca Cola, buy Sean John clothes, book their hotel at Bryant Park and buy a DUX bed too? Yeah..

b) When and where have you felt ‘coldest’ at work?

When I’m procrastinating by my computer, watching Facebook, learning idiotic things, not progressing in my work. When not learning new things or doing work I get nothing from creatively. I get stressed and it feels like I’m wasting myself, when I don’t do something creative.

6. The bigger the dream, the bigger the fear. When you think about your ambitions from questions 1 and 2, do you get a twinge of fear?

YES! I fear it. The worst that can happen, is that I loose my company, don’t get enough money to work creatively. And have to do some crap. What is the best thing that can happen? I get wealthy and famous, inspire more people, get to help clients around the world, travel and work with the things I love for the rest of my life.

What steps can I take to tilt it to the better outcome?

• Finish the movie!
• Learn to follow your warm emotion. 
• Learn to stop when you feel the cold.
• Find new clients.
• Finish your music video.
• Finish your other music video.
• Update your site with new projects.
• Spread them.
• Do more.

• Now.