top of page

The Medicine You Don’t Want: Create Now

Writer's picture: Daniel CuestaDaniel Cuesta

I mentally placed a stiffening creative block on myself about a year ago.


Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act was the medicine I needed, but thought I was fine without.


Although I was a deep admirer of Rubins's work as a leading contributor and producer to countless musical icons such as Shakira, Adele, and Imagine Dragons, I never thought his advice might lead to such a profound impact on my thinking.


The singular and central idea at the core of his work:


Create Now


No matter the time of day, when the moment of brilliance strikes, seize it, ride it, and don’t let it go. You will thank him later; I know I have.


Now, not everyone may be looking to constantly create, but for those questioning how to start or where to draw inspiration from, the notion of Creating Now will radically transform your thinking.


It breaks down into two simple steps:


  1. Write down any creative idea, no matter what, whenever you have it.


  1. Seize the creative moment, stop whatever you may be doing, go follow the scent, and see where it takes you.


In implementing the first, suddenly, you will go from having no inspiration and nothing to draw from to having a backlog of ideas to pull from at a moment's notice. 


I will admit that a year ago, I thought this was ridiculous, but as I had invested so much time into reading the book, I decided to try it anyway. A month and a half later, I began writing this weekly newsletter and haven't looked back since. (Something I find absolutely mind blowing to think about.)


This can be as simple as a Notes file on your phone or a Doc in your Google Drive, a place where you can simply jot down passing thoughts and possible ideas. This will demonstrate how many ideas you have following through your mind on any given day, some of them might even be good.


Secondly, there is following the inspiration at the moment of its arrival. 


Sometimes, you won't just get an idea, but you will also get the energy to draw it out. They don’t always come together, but when they do, make the most of it.


This advice should be taken with caution as it's not advocating for you to stop in the middle of the road if inspiration strikes, but it is saying don’t let it go without squeezing out some of its use. 


For writers or planners this again is where that previously created notes file will come in handy, a place already set for ideas to flow no matter their status or coherence. For other forms of creators, this action process may look a bit different, but the central idea is the same; in that eureka moment, Rubin recommends that you simply begin to create, stitch, put together, engineer, design, or use whatever method of choice to begin bringing some form of this project to life.


If this sounds too simple, it's because it is.


So many of us have been blind to its functionality as a result of being caught up in the productivity, efficiency, and grind mindset. We have begun to believe we need to schedule a time to be creative without realizing creativity doesn't always work with our schedules. 


Our errands need running, and our to-do lists need doing, but if creativity knocks on the door, pull out your phone and start a voice message to your future self, say out loud what you were thinking, or if you can, step to the side and begin outlining the work.


What we need to realize is that creativity moves at its own pace, at its own groove, and we should be receptive to it regardless of the hour.


Most times, putting whatever it was you were doing on hold for a short time is not the end of the world, and later, you will have accomplished not only your task but begun a genius work as well.


Just Create Now.



Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way Of Being is a book I thoroughly did not enjoy at the moment of reading but have found myself continuously reflecting upon since. Its simple yet counter-cultural approach to creativity struck me as odd and unlikely. 


Imagination, creativity, and art are not easily harnessed but we can be more receptive and open to its effects if we allow it to seep into our every moment rather than attempting to force it into a two-hour window on weekends.


This teaching is so vital to prospering that I could not help but write this article in reflection and gratitude. 


We all can and should keep a bank of thoughts and pursue brilliance when it strikes.


If you implement these two tactics in the following week alone, you will be amazed at how many ideas you generate and will suddenly find yourself with much more energy to pursue them.


We should all live a life in which we Create Now.


- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta



Other Platforms:

0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page