The Accidental Creative

Winning is often a game of percentages. The more shots you take, the more likely you are to eventually hit your goal and create something valuable. On this episode, I discuss how to practice and hone your skills through unnecessary creation, follow your instincts for opportunity, and to build a diversified portfolio of risk by taking more shots. == Thanks to Slack for supporting the podcast. Slack: Where work happens. Find out why at slack.com. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.  

Many people go crashing into the weekend like a running back diving into the end zone. They have thoroughly spent themselves during the work week, so the weekends are their time to completely disconnect, and engage in mindless activities like watching TV, playing video games, or working out. However, weekends are not only a great time to rest, but also to recreate (as in "re-create" yourself, and to regain your focus and enthusiasm for your life and work.) By instilling a few simple checkpoints, or rituals, in your weekend, you can spark your creative juices and ensure that you're clear-headed and focused heading into your next week. (This episode was originally featured as a part of my column on Inc.com.) ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Skillshare, the place to learn new skills and take your work and life to the next level. For a month of free access to courses, visit Skillshare.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. Remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

As we wrap 2017 and head into a new year, it's natural to look back to consider whether your ambitions for the year lined up with your accomplishments. It's easy to unknowingly settle into ruts without even realize it's happening, and to fail to do the work you know you're capable of doing. On this episode, I'll share seven common areas where people and teams unknowingly settle, and a few questions to help you identify and move past them. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

What's the most important part of doing creative work? Some people say it's getting started, but I think that's a bit simplistic. It's more about getting started right, and then being able to sustain yourself when times get tough. On this episode, David Kadavy shares some insights from his new book The Heart To Start. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Skillshare, the place to learn new skills and take your work and life to the next level. For a month of free access to courses, visit Skillshare.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. Remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

How do you find the motivation you need to attack your goals? According to Jeff Haden, the problem is waiting for motivation at all. If you want to experience fulfillment and tackle big projects, it's more about the process. On this episode, we dive into why focus can actually be your enemy, how to find happiness by quantifying your progress, and how to accomplish long-arc projects by thinking small. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

When you're under pressure, it's easy to defer the little actions that you need to do in order to accomplish you work. However, each of those little choices to defer action accumulate and become big problems later. On this episode, I share three areas where you need to stay on top of your mindset and mechanics so that you don't pay a price later. == Thanks to Slack for supporting the podcast. Slack: Where work happens. Find out why at slack.com. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

Don’t rob yourself, and stop trying to will yourself to do better. Instead, recognize that small actions of focus and discipline today is the best way to love your future self. Make investments today so that you can reap a return tomorrow. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

What does success feel like at the beginning, or in the middle? It's difficult to say. In fact, many massive successes felt like anything but success when they were in the early stages. On today's show, I share some thoughts about how to prevent the hurdles of uncertainty from limiting your ability to engage your work. == Thanks to Away for sponsoring The Accidental Creative podcast. Go to awaytravel.com/ac and use the promo code ac to get $20 off your order. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

It's getting close to the end of the year. How many of the things you planned to accomplish this year actually got done? For some people, the list is long, and it's because they failed to engage in all three kinds of work necessary in order to remain effective. On today's episode, I share the three kinds of work and the traps that we fall into when we fail to engage in them. == Thanks to Slack for supporting the podcast. Slack: Where work happens. Find out why at slack.com. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

The constant shift back and forth from creative work to administrative work throughout your day carries a high price. You pay a task switching penalty each time you try to make this transition. On today's show, I share a few tactics from The Accidental Creative to help you cluster your work for a more effective work week. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

At times, it can feel like life and work is one long string of projects and tasks. You have your eyes fixed forward, and you're thinking about the next thing you're going to do, the next hill you're going to climb, or the next project you're accountable for delivering. However, when your work is just one long series of things to do, you have no rhythm. There's no seasonality. On today's show, I discuss the value of building moments of reflection and celebration into your work. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

You are known for your public victories, but it's the private victories you achieve that make them possible. In today's episode, we share some of the private victories that help you build the confidence, resilience, and skills necessary to sustain the public victories. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip. All other music in this episode is from the Wanderlust project.

You are known for your public work, but you're defined by your "secret" work. On today's episode we discuss the importance of having work in your life that no one sees as a means of developing skills and cultivating passion and curiosity. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Skillshare, the place to learn new skills and take your work and life to the next level. For a month of free access to courses, visit Skillshare.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. Remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

Do you have a framework for making larger decisions about your life, your career, and your work? How do you decide what you're trying to do with your life? In this episode, I address a question from a listener about how to make decisions about the larger questions of life and career. ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Skillshare, the place to learn new skills and take your work and life to the next level. For a month of free access to courses, visit Skillshare.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. Remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

If you travel for business, you know that it can be both stressful and frustrating. However, if you have some core principles that guide how you approach travel it can also turn your time “on the road” into space to help you be more prolific, brilliant, and healthy. On today’s show, I share a few principles for traveling well and staying emotionally (and physically) healthy. == Thanks to Slack for supporting The Accidental Creative podcast. Slack: Where work happens. Find out why at slack.com. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.