Building a creativity bridge

One of my favorite habits from Twyla Tharps’s book The Creative Habit, is what she describes as building a bridge to the next day.  She advises us to take on a new posture for the end of each day and instead of creating until you have nothing left to give, quit a little early when you still have some juice left in the tank, a few ideas left unexplored.  Ask yourself what is that idea, that impulse, that expression that you are leaving in the tank? Define it and write it down on a notecard as you finish your work and then don’t think about it the rest of the day.  Sleep on it and then awaken refreshed and anew and revisit your note.

“When you start the next day with the note, you’ll be tapping into that reserve from the day before…you will approach the impulse behind the note as a new person.  At worst, the note will give you something to start with.  More likely, the new you will find a way to improve on it.  With methods like these are grooves formed.” Thanks Twyla.

Give it a try tonight and see if after a few days you return to your work with creative juice leftover to get you started and a fresh perspective to add.