Chapter 28: Get Creative

Don't Just Consume, Create

Happy Wednesday.

I guess this is kind of like a crossover event too.

This time we are talking about hobbies.

On Monday, Ben talked about the three hobbies.

One that makes you money, one that keeps you healthy, and one that's creative.

Ben handled the money one on Monday, since he's the money guy.

Leo is going to cover the health one on Friday, since he's the wellness guy.

So I'm gonna cover the creative one.

Which is funny, cause I don't really consider myself that creative.

I'm more of a no-nonsense, just get it done person.

Can I be creative?

Chris tells me that he believes that everyone (or every human, as he puts it) has the ability to create. That we are so wrapped up in consuming that we barely have any time to create.

Which is true.

Think about it for a sec. Have you ever done an analysis of what you spend your time on on your phone or your computer?

How much time do you spend doomscrolling?

How much time do you spend creating?

I'm guilty of it too. I spend way more time consuming than creating.

I wonder if I can change that.

MY FAV HOBBY

My fav hobby is eating. Yes, I love food.

I love everything about food.

I love finding new restaurants.

I love reading restaurant reviews.

I love eating at new restaurants.

I love taking pictures of my food and sharing it with my friends

If you think about it, I'm consuming on my phone PLUS I'm consuming a physical thing: food.

I don't think this hobby makes me money (just the opposite), makes me healthy (depending on where I go) or makes me creative.

Maybe I can turn this into a creative hobby?

Let's explore how to inject creativity into our favorite pastimes and make them more exciting and rewarding.

GET CREATIVE

Hobbies are a great way to unwind and relax, but adding a creative twist can take them to the next level. Creativity not only enhances enjoyment but also stimulates the brain, reduces stress, and boosts overall well-being. Whether you’re into sports, cooking, reading, or crafting, there are countless ways to make your hobbies more creative.

STORY

Meet Alex, who loved cooking but felt stuck in a rut, always making the same dishes. To reignite his passion, he decided to get creative in the kitchen. Alex started experimenting with different cuisines, incorporating unusual ingredients, and even plating his dishes like a professional chef. He also began documenting his culinary adventures through a food blog and social media, turning his cooking hobby into a creative and interactive experience. This not only revitalized his love for cooking but also connected him with a community of fellow food enthusiasts.

CREATIVIZE ANY HOBBY

1. Experiment with New Techniques: Challenge yourself to learn and incorporate new techniques related to your hobby. For example, if you enjoy photography, try experimenting with different styles like macro, landscape, or street photography. If you’re into knitting, try learning new patterns or stitches. Pushing the boundaries of your skills can keep things fresh and exciting.
2. Incorporate Technology: Use technology to enhance your hobby. Apps, software, and online communities can provide inspiration and new ideas. For instance, if you love drawing, explore digital art with a drawing tablet and software like Procreate or Adobe Illustrator. If you enjoy running, use fitness apps to track your progress and join virtual races. Technology can open up new dimensions and ways to engage with your hobby.
3. Combine Hobbies: Merge two or more hobbies to create something unique. If you love gardening and writing, start a blog about your gardening experiences and tips. If you enjoy cooking and photography, create a recipe blog with beautiful food photography. Combining hobbies can lead to innovative and fulfilling projects that utilize multiple skills and interests.
4. Set Creative Goals: Establish specific creative goals to keep you motivated. If you enjoy reading, set a goal to write a review or create artwork inspired by each book you read. If you’re into music, challenge yourself to learn a new song every week or compose your own pieces. Setting goals gives you something to strive for and a sense of accomplishment when you achieve them.
5. Join a Community: Engage with others who share your hobby. Online forums, social media groups, and local clubs can provide inspiration, feedback, and support. For instance, if you love crafting, join a crafting community on Facebook or Reddit where you can share your projects, get ideas, and receive constructive feedback. Being part of a community can make your hobby more social and interactive.
6. Document Your Journey: Turn your hobby into a creative project by documenting your journey. Start a blog, vlog, or social media account dedicated to your hobby. Share your progress, challenges, and successes with an audience. For example, if you love hiking, create a YouTube channel where you document your hikes and share tips for other hikers. This not only adds a layer of creativity but also helps you connect with like-minded individuals.
7. Teach Others: Sharing your knowledge and skills with others can be incredibly rewarding. Create tutorials, write how-to guides, or host workshops related to your hobby. Teaching others can deepen your own understanding and bring a new level of enjoyment to your hobby. For example, if you’re good at painting, create video tutorials to help beginners learn the basics.
8. Explore Creative Collaborations: Collaborate with others who have similar or complementary interests. This could involve co-writing a book, co-hosting a podcast, or working on an art project together. Collaborations can bring fresh perspectives and ideas, making your hobby more dynamic and exciting.

Or let's just ask our favorite AI chatbot for advice: Watch as I try it on my fav hobby...

ME: "Hey AI, I have a hobby that I enjoy, but it’s starting to feel a bit boring. How can I make it more creative?"

AI: "I’d love to help! What’s your hobby?"

ME: "I enjoy eating at restaurants, but it’s becoming a bit repetitive."

AI: "Eating at restaurants can definitely be turned into a more creative and enriching experience! Have you tried exploring different cuisines or creating themed food adventures?"

ME: "I usually stick to my favorite types of food, but I haven’t really thought about themed adventures."

AI: "That sounds like a great opportunity to mix things up! You could start by exploring a different cuisine each week. For example, you could have an Italian week, followed by a Japanese week, and so on. This not only adds variety but also broadens your culinary horizons."

ME: "That sounds fun! Any other ideas?" (I already do this, but I wanted to so what else it might recommend)

AI: "Absolutely! You could also turn your dining experiences into a creative project. How about starting a food blog or Instagram account where you document your restaurant visits? You can write reviews, share photos, and even interview chefs to learn more about their culinary secrets."

ME: "I’ve never thought about that. What should I focus on in my blog or Instagram posts?"

AI: "Focus on what excites you about your dining experiences. Share detailed reviews of the dishes, the ambiance of the restaurants, and your personal experiences. You can also rate each restaurant on various aspects like taste, service, and presentation. Additionally, you could include interesting facts about the cuisine or the history of the restaurant."

ME: "I like that idea. It sounds like a lot of work, though."

AI: "It can be, but it’s also a fun way to make your hobby more engaging. Plus, you can use AI tools to help you manage it. For example, you can use Grammarly to help with your writing, and photo editing apps like VSCO or Lightroom to enhance your food photos. There are also social media scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to plan and automate your posts."

ME: "That makes it sound more manageable. Any other tips?"

AI: "Yes! To add even more creativity, you could host themed dinner parties inspired by the cuisines you explore. Invite friends and family, recreate dishes from the restaurants, and share your experiences. This not only makes your hobby more interactive but also allows you to connect with others who share your passion for food."

ME: "These are great ideas. Thanks.

AI: "I’m glad to hear that! Remember, the key to making any hobby more creative is to explore new angles, document your journey, and share it with others. Have fun with your dining adventures, and enjoy the creative process!"

Not bad. I do themes (duh) and I've been thinking about a blog, but I've never happy with the pictures I take so maybe if I juice them up a little with this VSCO or Lightroom...

Of course YMMV - it depends on your hobby and how much extra effort you want to put into it.

Here's another idea: get into AI photography! Just sign up of DALLE or any of these other photo editors and become a prompt aficionado, spinning new images up from just some text.

That's' pretty creative, and you don't need any artistic skills at all.

THOUGHTS?

OK so today's chapter went pretty far afield form productivity so I could line up with the three hobby theme of the week, but I promise that next week we'll be back to new ways to be productive with AI.

Watch out for it!

BTW, know anyone who'd be interested in joining our ever growing community of folks interested in being better humans with AI?

Just send them on over to 10xYOU​

Have a a great rest of the week!

Nikola Harper, Editor, Workflow Wednesdays, 10xYOU​

PS: You can always email me directly at nik@10xyou.us​