Many of us can use more creativity.
Few know how to do it well.
Learn how to increase your creativity with this mini playbook from one of the greatest writers in history – Ernest Hemingway.
Steal his do’s and don’ts whether you want to write your next book, work on a creative project or work less and increase your creative impact, effortlessly.
Heminway on how to deal with procrastination
“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” – Ernest Hemingway on Writing
Take one small action. Then, go from there.
Hemingway on how to deal with writer’s block
“Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now.”
Commit to the practice. Take one small step forward.
Hemingway on work becoming easier over time
“I love to write. But it has never gotten any easier to do and you can’t expect it to if you keep trying for something better than you can do.”
We strive to be a better version of ourselves every day. So why compare yourself to your past self?
Hemingway on creativity rules
“There’s no rule on how it is to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly. Sometimes it is like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.”
Creativity has no rules. Expect it to be hard. Take one small step forward.
Hemingway on commitment to work
“…writing is something that you can never do as well as it can be done. It is a perpetual challenge and it is more difficult than anything else that I have ever done—so I do it. And it makes me happy when I do it well.”
The reward is in the challenge.
Hemingway on what makes a good writer
“The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shockproof, shit detector. This is the writer’s radar and all great writers have had it.”
Learn to listen to your shit detector.
Hemingway on work schedule
“Wake about seven thirty, have breakfast and am working by nine and usually work straight through until two p.m. After that it’s like living in a vacuum until working time next day.”
Creativity needs time off. Fully on or fully off is the game.
Hemingway on stopping and recovering
“Always stop while you are going good and don’t think about it or worry about it until you start to write the next day. That way your subconscious will work on it all the time. But if you think about it consciously or worry about it you will kill it and your brain will be tired before you start.”
Quit while you are still excited. Learn to detach from work and engage with life. You’ll do better work when you come back refreshed.
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