Part one: "Following the Big Footprints" - 3 Creative Giants and their Creative Process

How they did what they did...

There are a great many creative greats in various industries. But how were these people successful at what they set out to do? Well answering the success question is too subjective to cover here, but in any sector of the world where success is the end goal, tenacity will be a big factor.

However, when it comes to finding out how they went about doing what they did, we can look at processes - maybe even glean a little something for ourselves.

So - how did they do it?

1) Monthy Python

It would be remiss of me to exclude the Godfathers of sketch comedy from this list, the group for which we owe so much in terms of creativity in the modern world. Essentially the most successful group of professionals to ever do exactly what they were told not to, and break those preconceived barriers to incredible effect.

A) Establish rules

Well they broke them all, but found a way of working with one another to great effect. After having real problems with getting things started, it was agreed that anything was possible in a sketch, but they'd only work off a completed sketch idea in the first place. From that, the world was their oyster, but they need somewhere to start.

B) Meet, Sleep, Play

As I'll cover in another blog, creating to a fixed time limit in a fixed position with a group is not only very hard, but not a nice way to spend a day. The Pythons found that the best way of answering that question, or writing that joke was to meet up, ask all the questions then head off and play or sleep on the issue.

This lets those sub-concious gears turn and the areas where the unexpected leap from are reached.

C) Mind-dump alone, Mind-refine in groups

When coming up with multiple ideas, the Pythons would brainstorm ideas and create lists of concepts by themselves, these ideas would then be brought to the group and the creativity would begin. Birth an idea alone, then have the strength of character to bring that idea into an arena where it will be pulled apart, twisted and played with. By the end the team will have grown it into something very different, but in most cases much better.

D) Unleash that Inner Child

Children are both unaware of social formats of thinking and don't care if they get it wrong... longing to fit in is something we learn as awkward teenagers. Remember that creativity is best when experienced through a team remembering what it is to a be a child, unafraid and full of wild thoughts. This is usually where the magic happens.

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Part Two: "Following the Big Footprints" - 3 Creative Giants and their Creative Process

2) Ernest Hemingway

Pulitizer and Nobel Prize winning writer Ernest Hemingway had a very specific process in his day-to-day writing. For him it was about consistency, control and a firm realisation of when he was doing what he needed to.

A) Know your Environment

Hemingway knew that it go to hot in the afternoons, and his mind would become sluggish so he would set himself a limit to be finished before 12:00 in order to make the most of his mind.

B) Set a realistic limit

His process is most famous for being consistent yet light in quantity. He would write around 500 words a day, knowing that it was better to leave a sentence unfinished and return to it with a fresh mind the next day. He did, however, push himself to commit to those 500 words every day. This is contrary to many people's process, who wait for that moment of inspiration and milk it.

C) Know when to stop

It was his belief that it was better to know when to stop, whether it be mid sentence or mid paragraph or midday, than plough on for hours on end and produce great swathes of mediocrity. He was quoted saying "I write one page of mastery to 91 pages of shit... I try to put the shit in the waste basket".

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Part Three: "Following the Big Footprints" - 3 Creative Giants and their Creative Process

3) John Legend

Multiple Grammy award winning Writer/Singer John Legend is regarded as one of the most incredible writers in the industry. Consistently producing original works of great creativity, what does he have to do to get from the pen to the people?

A) Don't stop believing in your own Talent

A huge believer in self belief and how it can fuel the creative process. His first single, Get Lifted was the result of being the first Artist to be signed to Good Music Records in 2004. It was "An attempt to define who I wanted to be in the eyes of the public... we tried to reflect where we were musically at that time"

B) Let It flow...

In various interviews John Legend has suggested that the music of a thing flows from a place where words cannot fit straight away. He lets the music and the rhythm flow out, records it then goes back and adds the words. When the magic happens, capitalise on it and then go back to refine what came naturally in order to make the most of what your gift offers.

C) Collaborate

His career has been spurned on by his personal ability, but his entire Career - from being on Lauren Hill's Track in his 1998 debut, to his work with Kanye West - has been a result of collaboration and team work. He uses his belief in team work to reflect in his ability to help the world around him, having worked on many charitable and political causes he believes in.

Little thoughts to go away with...

These are ways in which successful people have stayed creative - but it's eveident that each of the processes work for them and what their needs are. Take the time to analyse how you work, how you work well, and what you need to keep it going. Then, spend the time applying those things to your everyday life in order to keep that creative flair in your day to day. Let it give you as much room to breathe and relax as it does to create.