Keep the Creative Juices Flowing - Issue #2 - Following Signals
Hello dear Friend!
First and foremost, I'm so so so happy to see you again! I hope you liked the Issue #1 .
2 notes about the newsletter:
Forgive me for not using your first name but I think there is a glitch somewhere that prevent your name to show correctly.
I'm sure you noticed that the quality of the images were not at their best. I made sure that the quality is now improved.
I know you want a fun and light hearted newsletter and maybe the main topic of this issue (Signals) is a bit "complex but, bear with me, it deserves a shot.
Of course if you have suggestions or ideas I'd LOVE to hear from you, just reply to this email or DM on Twitter, even if we don't follow each other
About Creativity Signals
Ok, this is important. It is the main thing, looks complicated but it is not. I bet you already experienced something you can call "that thing" or epiphany or something that "rings a bell". Well, that is a Signal and does not happen by chances!
As Signals are ephemeral we need to learn how to recognize them and to stay in a "non-set-mindset" that allows us to get them without being worried or, worst, obsessed.
Remember, not perceiving Signals is perfectly NORMAL, there is nothing wrong. Stay relaxed, stay open and they will come.
I want to share 2 ways I practiced for years and now are part of my "core behaviors".
The only magic spell here is the point 1: to be aware you are aware you are open to signals. The rest can be optional. In time you'll adapt this to better suit your life and eventually you won't even need to think about it, it'll be automatic.
If you like something more detailed and intriguing, here my second trick.
Why waiting the end of the day? Pretty simple: Signals need to decant. Following each Signal just create a noise and makes us biased toward the idea of the moment. Waiting some time just creates that gap where only those fruitful and strong Signals survive and thrive.
Here is a real-live example.
This happened at the end of the summer 2021 and everything was in my head. I wrote it down now just to show you. To be honest I didn’t make the help-o-matic but it inspired me to make something even better. I built a system/procedure to progress in hard times and mitigate the negative effects of hard crises.
if you decide to try one of these (I truly hope so) and you have questions or need suggestions do not hesitate to reply to this email or, if you are on Twitter, just DM me (even if we don't follow each other).
Food 4 Thoughts
121 Things Emma Did at CIA
You'll love this!!! Emma Best is an investigative journalist that filed thousands of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to CIA and FBI and this is a list of disruptive/fun/weird things she did while working with CIA. I keep this link in my bookmark because I love to go back from time to time and every time I find myself smiling. I'm pretty sure you'll steal some ideas. I did.
Tool: Refind
I DO LOVE Refind, is more that an aggregator. A great AI algorithm, that I can train, select every morning 20 contents I may like and conveniently gather them in a very clean app I use across all my devices (mainly on iPad).
To be honest, Refind is where I find a lot of my Dots and almost all of the links I share with you here. Give it a try! The link is an affiliate link that put you on the track to earn the Premium subscription for free and for life. Trust me!
3 Ideas from James Clear
James is the Author of the New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits (btw, if you don't know the book I suggest to follow the link and download the 1st Chapter) and this short post may look simple but, let it works through your mind... I'm pretty sure you'll have a few… Signals.
Why Too Much Talking Is Detrimental To Your Success
This is the reason why we need to "Stop whining and start doing", particularly when it comes to give a real body to our creativity.
The Catch-All
First, an update about homeplanting. These and the plant I potted in custom, homemade pots made with cardboard and lined with plastic (freezer bags) or tinfoil and reclaimed jars. Soooo rewarding!
This time I’d love to talk about Home Printing
Printing always fascinated me. I dream to have an original Heidelberg Platen Press or a Risograph. Why? Experimenting and making unique, beautiful and physical things. I find the printing process so romantic and inspiring. Here 2 videos that maybe can explain my feelings.
[embed https://youtu.be/NHU9AAc3YeQ]
Luckily, you and me don’t need those expensive, large and complex machines to make beautiful prints at home. I experimented a lot with different materials and inks and some of the results are so good.
One of my favorite ways to create beautiful prints is with yoga mats. I made a tutorial to give you and idea about how to make your printing blocks and, as promised, this tutorial is exclusive for you and your fellow subscribers.
Home Printing with Yoga Mats
The password to access the tutorial is: homeprinting
My stuff and Support
Do you know? I have 3 classes running on Skillshare.
Sketchnote4Everybody - #Sketchnote4E
Make it Visible - Introduce Sketchnotes and Visuals in the Workplace
Understanding Visuals: a journey from Thinking to Drawing and back
If you are not yet a Skillshare Premium member and would like to give it a try, all of the above links to the classes give you the opportunity to have
1 month of Skillshare Premium for Free
And is not limited to my classes, you can take every class you want!
Of course those are referral links and, if you subscribe, you’ll automagically support me and this newsletter. As always, no pressure and, in case, thank you sooooo much!
That's it!
Hope you found this issue "rich enough" and I'll see you the next time that will be on Monday March, 7th 2022.
Stay Awesome, Stay Creative!
Ciao {{first_name}} *
Mauro
* I added again the tag that would put your first name there or "dear Friend" if you didn't enter your name while registering. I hope it works this time.