There is nothing more frustrating to those doing creative work than hearing feedback from a client or manager that is vague, imprecise, and lacking any sense of direction. In order to effectively perform, talented people need clear boundaries within which to operate. That’s the role of the leader – to specifically challenge them within clear guide rails. As I wrote about in Herding Tigers, this is bounded autonomy – freedom within limits. But giving feedback about creative work can be a tricky task. It’s not just about giving a thumbs up or down, but about providing constructive critique that can help the person grow and improve their work. On today's episode, I share three quick tips for doing it well. 

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3 Quick Tips For Giving Better Feedback

Formerly The Accidental Creative.
Being a creative professional should be the greatest job in the world. You get to solve problems, express yourself, bring something new into the world and you get paid to do it. What's not to love.  Yet every day, creative pros face, tremendous pressure and uncertainty. The temptation is just to play it safe, surrender to distraction and settle for less than your best daily creative is about making sure that's not your story. 

Each episode focuses on a topic relevant to creative pros, like how to come up with ideas under pressure, or how the collaborate when you're overwhelmed, or how to lead your team and help them discover motivation. 

It's time to fall back in love with your work.

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Self-Improvement

In this episode, we delve into the pervasive issue of anxiety and its impact on creative work. Liz Bohannon shares her journey from corporate life to launching Sseko Designs in Uganda. She explains how the narrative of being "special" can foster fear and anxiety, leading to a reluctance to take risks.  ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman recounts his experiences with panic attacks, including a career-defining on-air mistake, and the strategies he's used to manage anxiety, which he shares in his book No Time to Panic.  Scott Mautz offers insights on building mental strength through fortitude, confidence, boldness, decision-making, goal focus, and positive messaging, outlined in his new book The Mentally Strong Leader.  Finally, Erwin McManus discusses the importance of creating for others and how love can displace anxiety. His new book is called Mind Shift. Five Key Learnings:The Myth of Being Special: Liz Bohannon highlights how believing you are inherently special can actually lead to fear and anxiety, causing you to play it safe and stifling creativity.Techniques for Managing Anxiety: Matt Gutman introduces various modalities, including physical activities and mindfulness techniques, that can help manage anxiety and prevent panic attacks.Mental Strength in Leadership: Scott Mautz outlines six core mental muscles—fortitude, confidence, boldness, decision making, goal focus, and messaging—that leaders can develop to regulate emotions and thoughts.Redirect Rhythm: A simple but effective four-step process called the "redirect rhythm" can help manage negative emotions and improve mental strength.Creating with Love: Erwin McManus emphasizes the importance of creating for the benefit of others and how love can be a powerful force in combating anxiety and enhancing creativity.
Listen to full interviews, and get daily episodes, guides, and access to the full archives at DailyCreative.app. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more Craft a brand story that makes sense. Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to simplify your message.

Anxiety Attack

In this episode we dive deep into what it means to truly commit to your creative project, featuring stories from our guests, Daniel Troia (award-winning filmmaker of We're All In This Together), Brent Underwood (author of Ghost Town Living), and A.J. Jacobs (NY Times author of The Year Of Living Constitutionally). Daniel shares his unique journey of creating an award-winning film with minimal resources while relying on the kindness of strangers across America. Brent recounts his tale of revitalizing an abandoned mining town, investing all his resources despite numerous setbacks, including a devastating fire and the pandemic. And, A.J. Jacobs brings his usual blend of humor and wisdom to our discussion, elaborating on how he brings the lessons of his long-arc creative experiments to the world. Here are five key lessons from the episode: 1. Pursuit of Passion Projects: Each guest highlights the personal fulfillment derived from pursuing their unique passion projects. Daniel Troia's filmmaking journey, Brent Underwood's revitalization of Cerro Gordo, and A.J. Jacobs' immersive experiments demonstrate the depths of commitment and the personal satisfaction it can bring. 2. Understanding Costs and Setting Boundaries: The experiences of Brent Underwood and A.J. Jacobs shed light on the importance of being aware of the sacrifices involved in chasing ambitious goals. They both stress the necessity of setting healthy boundaries to avoid burnout and ensure sustainability in their pursuits. 3. Value of Experiential Learning: Both Daniel Troia and A.J. Jacobs emphasize learning by doing. Whether it’s learning filmmaking on the go or experimenting with living by historical documents, these experiences provide unique insights and foster a deeper understanding of their subjects. 
 4. Impact of Deep Engagement: A.J. Jacobs’ approach to his projects, such as adopting the tools and methods from the 18th century, illustrates how immersive experiences can lead to profound reflections and unexpected revelations, proving the value of engaging deeply with one’s work. 
 5. Community and Support: Across the narratives, there’s a recurring theme of the role of community and supportive relationships. Whether it's the strangers who aided Daniel Troia on his journey or the need for people who can offer honest feedback as mentioned by Brent Underwood, the support system is crucial for navigating the challenges of intense, passion-driven projects. Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.  Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

Learn more Mentioned in this episode Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to learn more.

Commit To The Bit

We're back with another slate of Daily Creative episodes! In this episode, we delve into the concept of slow productivity—a groundbreaking approach challenging traditional work norms that push us toward constant busyness. Authors Cal Newport, Ryan Holiday, and Marc Zao Sanders join us to dissect why the old factory model doesn't align with human cognitive patterns and propose solutions to counteract pseudo productivity. Newport describes the damaging effects of high-intensity work without variation and shares insights on how modern work culture overburdens us through excessive pseudo productivity. Holiday talks about the personal and financial benefits of scaling back and creating more space for meaningful work, while Sanders introduces the concept of "time boxing" as a method to manage and complete tasks effectively. Five Key Learnings:Mismatch of Work Pace and Human Nature:  Traditional continuous high-intensity work does not suit human cognitive behavior, which requires varied intensity and rest.Consequences of Pseudo Productivity: The inability to measure knowledge work effectively has led managers to prioritize visible activity, inadvertently promoting an unhealthy work culture.Importance of Workload Management: Effective workload management and making workload visible within organizations can help in better prioritization and lessen stress.Benefits of Doing Less: Focusing on fewer tasks at a time can lead to better quality outcomes, making the work more valuable.Time Boxing Over Time Blocking: Time blocking falls short without completion; time boxing focuses on finishing tasks within a set timeframe to maintain productivity and momentum.
Listen to full interviews, and get access to daily episodes, guides, and more in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app. Mentioned in this episode: Mentioned in this episode Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to learn more.

Slow Productivity

Are there really universal laws of creativity? Doesn't that sound too good to be true? In final episode of season one, hosts Todd Henry and Joshua Gott discuss Dave Zaboski's five 'Universal Laws Of Creativity', unpacking powerful insights from the first twelve episodes. They explore the dynamics of feedback and empathy in collaborative environments, the invigorating challenge of early project traction, the strategy behind juggling multiple initiatives, the transformative power of belief in the creative process, and the courage it takes to invite others into your work. Here are some key insights: 1. Feedback is a dish best served with care. Navigating the fine line between directness and consideration is crucial when giving feedback. Todd Henry's candid confession about his sometimes over-aggressive approach to challenging ideas hints at the nuanced dance of pushing for improvement without bruising spirits.  How can you ensure that your feedback builds up rather than tears down? 2. Empathy without action leads to creative stagnation. Ruinous empathy can silently sabotage the best of teams, as the episode's conversation reveals. Over-caring without confronting issues may seem harmless but often results in a loss of trust and stunted growth. Instead, fostering a culture where challenges are met head-on, albeit with a human touch, can fuel a more vibrant and productive creative process. Is your empathy is empowering others or enabling a fear of conflict. 3. The first step of creation is belief in the vision. A core message delivered by Dave Zaboski is the indispensable power of belief for igniting the creative spark. The session revisits moments when embracing a vision was the impetus for remarkable collaborations and projects. From the drawing boards of iconic films to the birth of a podcast season, belief is the secret sauce that enables creators to dream and venture beyond the ordinary. What creative vision are you pursuing? 4. Risk is the price of admission for a chance to dance with success. Thad Cockrell's tale of a $99 album and the musician's gamble of mortgaging his house underlines a truth discussed in our episode: pivotal breaks often come at the heels of risk-filled decisions. Linking this concept to the 'Band of Brothers' metaphor echoes the idea that freedom to create is intertwined with the bravery to confront possible losses. What risk might you need to take in order to make your idea happen? 5. Completion is a marathon, not a sprint. The hardest part is not starting, but finishing — this sentiment is echoed throughout the episode, particularly in the context of managing one's energy and resolve. As creators, seeing a project through to its conclusion, especially when novelty wanes and the grind sets in, distinguishes the successful from those who fall short. What does "finishing" mean in your current work? As always, you can hear the full interview with Dave Zaboski and receive daily episodes and prompts in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app. Mentioned in this episode: NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.

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The Universal Laws Of Creativity

Have you ever noticed those water towers, scattered across the horizon, and thought "Hmm... I wonder how those work?" Well, there's actually lot to learn from them about how to manage your life as a creative pro. In this episode, we explore the idea of managing energy instead of time in our creative process. Our guests, Lisa Congdon, Brian Johnson (author of Areté), Tony Schwartz (author of Be Excellent At Anything), and Jeff Karp (author of LIT), share their insights on the importance of understanding the creative process as a journey with highs and lows. We explore the link between physical and creative energy, emphasizing the significance of managing energy effectively to achieve peak performance in our work. The episode covers essential strategies for managing energy, including the concept of activation energy, the impact of deep work and intermittent renewal, and the importance of prioritizing tasks based on their energy requirements. It also delves into the power of micro-progress, the negative effects of multitasking, and the value of starting each day with the most important task. Key learnings: 1. Managing energy is crucial for achieving peak performance in creative work. 2. Prioritizing the most important task at the start of the day can significantly impact productivity. 3. Working in increments and avoiding multitasking can lead to higher quality work. 4. Small victories and low activation energy goals can contribute to overall energy management and motivation. 5. Recognizing the link between physical and creative energy is essential for sustained optimal performance. Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

3 Quick Tips For Giving Better Feedback

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