Creative Freedom Unlocks Your Inner Genius (8 tips)
It’s quite the claim, I know. But creative freedom unlocks your inner genius.
It’s like how stuff magically starts working out as soon as you stop trying to control things and you just let go. This is where artistic freedom lives.
So this is my guide on what it is, why it matters and how to get it.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents Show
What Is Creative Freedom? (meaning + examples)
Creative freedom, or artistic freedom, is the ability to create without barriers, the fear of judgment or any preconceived ideas about the creative process and artistic “rules”.
It’s unhinged, untethered and un-nuanced – it’s pure creativity (like how we were when we were kids).
Although – perhaps somewhat ironically – restrictions are also a great way to boost creativity. So, as with so many things, balance and context are needed.
But let’s look at some examples.
Creative Freedom Examples
Creative freedom in business and the workplace
Encouraging (even celebrating) employees to try new things and openly fail
Creative freedom in travel
No planning, no itinerary – just adventure flow (my preferred travel strategy)
Creative freedom in art
Creating based on intuition and creative flow
Creative freedom in education
Inviting students to co-create their curriculum and explore topics of interest
Creative freedom in fashion
Drag shows or simply dressing in a way that best expresses yourself
Creative freedom in business
Starting your own brand or becoming an entrepreneur (no boss, no “rules”)
Creative freedom in social media
Not adhering to the trends, best practices or templated formulas
Recommended: How to Do More of What Makes You Happy
Why Is Creative Freedom Important? (the benefits)
The creative process becomes more fun
You can find creative and emotional catharsis
More authentic self expression
Enhanced creativity
More flow state
More experimentation and increased innovation
Better problem solving perspectives
Deeper passion and connection to the creative task
More enjoyment and fulfillment
How to Unlock More Creative Freedom (8 tips)
My best work comes out when I feel most creatively free.
Untethered by expectations or algorithms.
So these are my go-to moves for reaching this state of being and tapping into that inner genius.
1. Goodbye Goals + Expectations
I mentioned it in the beginning, but for true creative unlock, we need to let go.
We need to let go of expectations, control and goals.
This is counterintuitive to a lot of advice (on my site and elsewhere), which usually praises goal-setting. Because goals are great tools for creative focus and growth.
But for our purposes here, they can go away.
If we’re trying to reach creative freedom, a different approach is needed. A lack of objective is required.
And since goals are basically expectations, they can get in the way.
So one quick(ish) hack to unlock creative freedom is to get rid of your objectives.
You can either have none at all or simply reframe them as projects (projects are my preferred strategy).
Once you’ve lessened the pressure associated with timelines and milestones, you can start creating with zero expectation.
This is where artistic freedom begins.
2. Ignore Quality
What’s worse than rogue expectations for creative freedom? Beliefs about quality.
Because let’s be real, creativity isn’t good or bad.
So detaching from these concepts brings us one step closer to artistic freedom.
I know this is easier said than done, but awareness is key. So here are my favorite moves to stay aware:
Don’t fall into the comparison trap
Address any limiting self beliefs
Erase subjective ideas about creative quality
Don’t judge any ideas or work you create
Anything goes (creativity is not the editing phase)
Recommended: How to Measure Creativity (6 steps)
3. F*ck the Metrics (+ money)
Metrics and money made have nothing to do with your value as a creative. And letting go of those things is pure liberation.
This is a hard truth to accept. But once you do, it’s ultimate freedom.
So, the idea here is simple.
Step away.
Step away from social media, curated algorithms and on-demand trends. Because where we’re going, we don’t need templates and best practices.
Of course, no (serious) shade to social media. It is a great resource and tool for growth, inspiration and more (when used correctly).
But you must know, it also gets in the way of our creative process (and more importantly, our creative freedom).
So detach yourself. Be free.
Stop caring whether something will go viral, flop or even be finished. Just create — without concern for metrics, money, likes or comments.
Throw caution (and social reach) to the wind. Save the digital hearts for another day.
And if money and growth is a real goal for you, just remember to have longer time horizons. Imagine your brand in years, not months. Don’t try to rush to some monetization finish line.
Enjoy the ride (and stop caring so much).
Recommended: How to Be More Carefree
4. Stop Creating for Everyone Else
Here’s one of the best kept secrets to creative freedom: create for you.
As artists, it feels like we should be creating for our audience, culture, community, legacy…something beyond us.
But the truth is, we serve everyone best by creating stuff for ourselves first and foremost.
So go back to when you were younger and create stuff that brings you joy and is the completely honest expression of your creativity.
This is the most difficult easy thing to do. But it’s creative freedom.
5. Stop Following the Rules + Being So Polite
Everyone is not your audience.
Good art bends the rules. Great art breaks them.
As modern creatives, we’re constantly being told which templates are working best, which trending songs to use and how to go viral. Stand out, but follow this formula.
Be yourself but here’s a handbook to follow.
Creative freedom means burning the rulebook, stop trying to appease to everyone and everyone’s emotions and just create.
Make people uncomfortable if you need to. Whatever it takes.
6. Find Your Flow
Nothing sparks creative freedom quite like a flow state.
So learning how to tap into this hyper-focused state is key.
Creative flow is when you get so involved and enveloped in the creative task at hand, that you lose track of time and your conscious mind loosens its grip.
It’s really like a form of meditation.
We get so easily bogged down by preconceived notions of how we think things should look, sound or be that we lose sight of our uniqueness and creative authenticity.
Creative flow gets us back to that place.
So here are some quick tips to find your flow:
Master your craft (skill deficits slow down flow state)
Avoid distractions (turn off notifications and do a social detox)
Don’t think, feel (don’t think your way to more creativity, feel it)
Harness and prioritize spontaneity (do more things that you lose track of time doing)
Recommended: How to Harness Your Creative Flow State
7. Make It A Joke
Something amazing happens whenever I reframe things as a joke.
My stress, artistic anxiety and concern with making something “good” totally vanishes. I feel more creatively free.
Ironically, when I create stuff as a joke, I tend to stumble into awesome, inspiring ideas. It’s like a screamo band who writes an indie jam as a joke.
But then listeners and the band both realize it’s actually quite good.
Why is this?
I like to think it’s because of creative freedom. When we approach things like a joke, we’re giving ourselves permission to test and play without conditions or rules.
Why are Tenacious D songs so good and how come Flight of the Conchords songs always get stuck in my head?
It’s creative freedom from not taking things so seriously (among others things, like obvious talent).
8. Be Anonymous
Sometimes, the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves get in the way of our creative freedom.
We’re all the main characters in our own story or movie. But sometimes the script gets hijacked by our past, personality, friends and family.
So approaching creativity with anonymity takes away all the nuance of who you are and who you (or the people around you) think you “should” be.
I mean, if everyone around you knows you as a non-artist jokester, it can feel awkward transitioning into a more serious abstract photographer persona (for example).
My best solution (at least in the beginning stages of your creative journey) is to become anonymous.
Create a nom de plume or an alter ego.
Fun fact (fun?), this website and my whole brand started this way.
Jake You is not my name. It’s a homonym that sounds like the initials of my real name (JQ).
Once I felt more comfortable in my musician/artist persona, I started sharing under my real initials (JQ).
So if you’re struggling with reaching creative freedom, try cutting ties with who you (and those around you) think you are.
Conclusion (optimize for play)
For me, creative freedom means ignoring the rules, metrics and pressure to perform a certain way or according to some rulebook.
It means creating things for you first.
But at the end of the artistic day, fun is what matters most.
So let’s optimize things for fun – so we can easily jump in and out of a state of play.
Here are some quick tips for keeping fun as the forefront of your creativity:
Set clear intentions
Optimize your environment for fun and creative play
Manage expectations (for example, don’t have them)
Be a scientist slash explorer (experiment and take risks)
Take breaks, but embrace spontaneity
Limit distractions or things that take away fun (like comparisons or social media)
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