12 Ways to Keep Creating Like Coldplay

12 Ways to Keep Creating Like Coldplay

January 13th, 2011 // 11:30 pm @ mikewagner // 9 Comments

There is a lot within me that resists being creative. That might be true of you as well. It is true of most of us.

Still, it’s NOT true of everyone, or so it seems looking at some artists, entrepreneurs, musicians and the like.

Knowing how I fight my creative work I find myself drawn to people and groups who get past any resistance and “keep creating”.

You’ll find me using the phrase “keep creating” a lot if you read my tweets, facebook status updates and emails…if I ever send you one. It’s a nudge, a reminder and a constant prod to get past the obstacles and keep at the business of making something new. You might take it as meant for you but I know it’s always meant for me.

That is why I’m sure I have been drawn back to this 60 Minutes report on the musical group Coldplay.

It’s not that I’m a fan. I’ve never bought any of their music or gone to a concert or had a heated exchange defending their artistry. (Don’t get me wrong, I like the songs I have heard. And once Viva La Vida gets lodged in my head, it takes days to get it out.)

So here’s a list of what I learned when I watched Steve Kroft’s report on Chris Martin and Coldplay.

ONE – Don’t wait for mastery! Lead singer Martin says, “we rely more on enthusiasm than actual skills.” Skills can catch up with your enthusiasm so don’t wait to be “good at it” (whatever that is).

TWO – Enthusiasm is attractive. Again from Mr. Martin, “do it enthusiastically and people will like it more.” If you want others to connect with what you create (and who doesn’t) let your enthusiasm show.

THREE – “Do your best with what you’ve got.” Time, money, talent — name whatever it is you think you lack; none of this matters. Get going, get creating. Stop waiting for “enough” of whatever it is you think you need more of.

FOUR – Do it with others. The band Coldplay has been together for more that 12 years. The band members are just over 30. Find others to be creative with, stick together and keep at it.

FIVE – Somethings just work, don’t feel like you have to explain everything you create. When asked about the meaning of the group’s hit song “Yellow” Chris says, “I still can’t work out what it’s about.” Still the song works. Millions come to hear it. Some things you do, create or innovate work long before you can ever explain why.

SIX – Does anyone want what you’re creating? Pay attention. Again, Martin says he looks to see if people are up, out of their seats, silhouetted against the exit lights of a concert hall. If they are, the music isn’t holding them. Popular approval isn’t everything, I agree. But it’s looking to see if you’re connecting with anyone.

SEVEN – Ditch the ego. It’s clear this group isn’t letting egos get in the way. Martin’s band mates are happy for him to get all the attention. Just because you’re being creative, it doesn’t make you the Creator.

EIGHT – Be structured and be random…in other words, live with the tension and inconsistency. Kroft is amazed at the contradictions he sees and senses in his interview.

NINE – Know your rules! At one point Chris Martin shows Kroft a list of band rules. The camera shows you, “albums must be no longer than 42 minutes or nine tracks.” We all create inside the box. Better to know what the box is and looks like. Make your rules explicit not implicit, then create within them.

TEN – Capture! Capture! Capture! Chris Martin is a compulsive list maker. He writes down everything and writes ON everything to capture what comes. Most of it “crap” to be sure. But the missing “something” will continue to be missing if you don’t capture what you see and think and experience.

ELEVEN – Work when you can. There is no good time for a working band like Coldplay to develop the next album. But that’s not an excuse they accept. On tour during sound checks Coldplay works on new songs for the next album. They’re not waiting for an abundance of time to do their next creative project, they’re creating whenever they can.

TWELVE – You never arrive. Steve Kroft closes out the segment by observing that the band, regardless of all their success, believes “they’re not as good as they’re going to be.” Never settle. Never think you’re arrived at perfection. Never get too content. Be happy for what comes but never believe you’ve found perfection…because you haven’t.

This just what I saw when I watched this video. You watch it and see what you see differently, from your point of view. And if you feel generous, oh gentle reader, please share an observation or two in the comments.

Thanks!

Category : Blog &Creativity &Growth