I agree with every word. Three things I want to echo:
#1. Noticing is absolutely a skill. It takes real effort to learn how to notice.
#2. I strongly relate to your point that we do not need that much input. Ami Vora, VP at Meta, mentioned in an interview that our brain is more like a small “brontosaurus brain.” We can only hold a few facts at once, so it is unrealistic to go deep on everything that crosses our desk.
#3. For creative writing, I built an automation workflow that syncs my Substack Notes to Notion every month. Then I intentionally search for questions and posts on Substack and respond using my previous thoughts and replies. It is a way to train my “memory muscles.” I have found it surprisingly helpful for my creative writing as well.
I love your point about noticing, or where to direct your attention. Or even noticing where our attention is being directed toward (i.e. invasive advertising, addictive social media, etc.). Noticing our own noticing is powerful.
😬 I love Dan’s work but unfortunately immediately had the same reaction. I didn’t even know the original author, I just knew it predated… all living humans by quite a bit 😶🌫️
Great list! I've also been struggling to lock in recently. I have a lot to do but I can never get the momentum going. Going for walks and putting my phone on dnd helps a lot. Working out has also given me an extra boost.
It’s a great reminder that true creativity only begins when we stop constantly “optimizing” ourselves and give ourselves space for boredom, reflection, and observing the world.
What really resonated with me was that the best ideas for offerings and content don’t come from yet another course, but from life, which is why I’m now incorporating more intentional silence and experimentation into my strategy, rather than just cramming in more tasks.
I find your writing extremely inspiring. I first came across your YouTube channel, and while I always enjoyed writing, your words rekindled my interest and sparked a new passion - and now I'm committed to making this work!
Its an amazing feeling to discover the thing you want to do. (Why did it take so long?) I still don't love my content but I can sense the progress - and that's a good thing.
Based on your recommendations I read Naval and "Flow", both great reads, but Naval is truly inspiring. Sorry for the length, I only wanted to say thank you, your work really does make a difference.
Thanks for sharing this, Dan! I love that you called creativity a "state of consciousness". I've never thought of it like that before. I am very good at the act of "noticing the unnoticed". Now, when I have trouble considering myself a creative person, I am going to remember that.
I also like your idea that productivity as a priority is a losing game. Trying to leave this place of nothingness, I often turn to creating goals, schedules, and habits. It never works out to get me doing what I want to be doing. I definitely need an unscheduled schedule to be productive.
I recently discovered, as you state, 'creativity isn't an inout problem'. I was over-consuming and not spending enough time processing. I was glad to see this was the first step in your illegal process. I'm reducing the input and continuing to look for my meaningful project by searching for what's meaningless. Looking forward to consuming a few more of your posts to stay on the right track❣️
Dan…I’ve started your 14 day content challenge, I’ve followed all the early phases but ChatGPT now encouraging me to speak short form (I’ve been dictating all my answers). Is this for written content alone or speaking too…my aim is to combine the two.
I agree with every word. Three things I want to echo:
#1. Noticing is absolutely a skill. It takes real effort to learn how to notice.
#2. I strongly relate to your point that we do not need that much input. Ami Vora, VP at Meta, mentioned in an interview that our brain is more like a small “brontosaurus brain.” We can only hold a few facts at once, so it is unrealistic to go deep on everything that crosses our desk.
#3. For creative writing, I built an automation workflow that syncs my Substack Notes to Notion every month. Then I intentionally search for questions and posts on Substack and respond using my previous thoughts and replies. It is a way to train my “memory muscles.” I have found it surprisingly helpful for my creative writing as well.
I love your point about noticing, or where to direct your attention. Or even noticing where our attention is being directed toward (i.e. invasive advertising, addictive social media, etc.). Noticing our own noticing is powerful.
I highly recommend reading this article. https://jamesbuckhouse.substack.com/p/the-art-of-noticing?r=4b54s&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
Xian, thanks for recommending the art of noticing article!
You are welcome. I hope you enjoy reading it. 😜
Xian I’d love to learn more about your automation workflow if you’re okay to share more
👋 Hey, I sent you a DM. Please take a look and let me know if you have any questions. 🤠🤠🤠
Haha. Oh you.
I can’t even listen to podcasts at the moment; peace to think is nice. I love this list.
dude, attributing that quote to naval is such a negative signal :/
Agreed!!! "All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone." is a famous quote by Blaise Pascal.
Fatal
😬 I love Dan’s work but unfortunately immediately had the same reaction. I didn’t even know the original author, I just knew it predated… all living humans by quite a bit 😶🌫️
Great list! I've also been struggling to lock in recently. I have a lot to do but I can never get the momentum going. Going for walks and putting my phone on dnd helps a lot. Working out has also given me an extra boost.
It’s a great reminder that true creativity only begins when we stop constantly “optimizing” ourselves and give ourselves space for boredom, reflection, and observing the world.
What really resonated with me was that the best ideas for offerings and content don’t come from yet another course, but from life, which is why I’m now incorporating more intentional silence and experimentation into my strategy, rather than just cramming in more tasks.
Thanks Dan.
I find your writing extremely inspiring. I first came across your YouTube channel, and while I always enjoyed writing, your words rekindled my interest and sparked a new passion - and now I'm committed to making this work!
Its an amazing feeling to discover the thing you want to do. (Why did it take so long?) I still don't love my content but I can sense the progress - and that's a good thing.
Based on your recommendations I read Naval and "Flow", both great reads, but Naval is truly inspiring. Sorry for the length, I only wanted to say thank you, your work really does make a difference.
A clear mind produces clear results. Eliminate the noise in your life and you clear the pathway toward your purpose. Here's how: https://letsgetclearhq.substack.com/p/this-is-all-of-us?r=73srwp&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
“What makes a project worth creating?” — this whole section helped spur the next article I want to write.
I’ve been feeling this exact way, thank you!
Dan the man!
This part hit me like a plot twist: “creativity disappearing under overstimulation.”
I’ve got to ask — during your 7-day reset, was there a single moment where you thought, “oh wow, this actually works”?
Honestly curious: which day surprised you the most? 👀
True, we keep adding more without ever letting anything settle into something useful.
Glad that you are back
Thanks for sharing this, Dan! I love that you called creativity a "state of consciousness". I've never thought of it like that before. I am very good at the act of "noticing the unnoticed". Now, when I have trouble considering myself a creative person, I am going to remember that.
I also like your idea that productivity as a priority is a losing game. Trying to leave this place of nothingness, I often turn to creating goals, schedules, and habits. It never works out to get me doing what I want to be doing. I definitely need an unscheduled schedule to be productive.
I recently discovered, as you state, 'creativity isn't an inout problem'. I was over-consuming and not spending enough time processing. I was glad to see this was the first step in your illegal process. I'm reducing the input and continuing to look for my meaningful project by searching for what's meaningless. Looking forward to consuming a few more of your posts to stay on the right track❣️
Dan…I’ve started your 14 day content challenge, I’ve followed all the early phases but ChatGPT now encouraging me to speak short form (I’ve been dictating all my answers). Is this for written content alone or speaking too…my aim is to combine the two.
Silence during meals is underrated.
It’s subtraction.
Less input → better digestion (body + mind).
And gratitude replaces noise.
If you read my works, you'll find out how to exactly that. :) I am fully flared, uncensored to fuck!
Also...
I have an amazing AI that is literally being designed to HELP with creative work, but not WRITE IT FOR YOU.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yOXrWmJTdU
https://www.reddit.com/r/AuraOS/