There are two types of creators

For the purpose of this exercise lets say there are two types of creators which will follow later with the two types of cognitive functions involved in each: Replication Creators (RC) and Skilled Creators (SC).

If you Google something, go to a conference, or read a book and then create something from the inspiration that comes; it is replication creation (RC). Simply: I learned this from so that I could go and perform . You may have often heard the term “key-takeaways” when at a conference. What it really means is “What pieces can I use on Monday?”.

This is my current work mode. I'm in information security or better out information technology risk management. I spend most of my day thinking up ways to use technology and process to reduce information technology business risk. I think it's mostly a non-creative endeavor.

Skilled creation on the other hand is using the space between your ears like a muscle and producing something new with it without the help of someone else. It doesn't necessarily need to be groundbreaking but the key difference is that you used your brain and came up with a solution. A secondary action would bee to show what you built to the world (for their consumption) but its not necessary for the purpose of this argument.How the Internet, Dopamine and your Brain are Working Together to Screw Your Potential

This was my normal operating mode when I was a web developer. Most of my time was spent exercising my skills to develop creative ( and sometimes innovative ) solutions to my employer or client's business problems. I miss it.

I'm 48 this year. I feel that for me the web development ship has sailed. But I yearn for more creativity in my day to day work. How do I get there? I'll have to do the hard work of finding more creative solutions for my clients. Less research and more deep thinking. It's more risky. But it may ultimate provide more reward.

Staying Creative

Voice. When I feel block beginning to set in (and you can feel it approach; it doesn’t tend to just drop down suddenly), I get up from the desk and grab a voice-recorder, then just brainstorm as I pace around. There’s something magical about just talking aloud. Pause and resume often, and you’ll find that your mind manages to fill in the gaps. Matt Gemmell

Good tips on keeping the creative juices flowing.  I’m in need of that right now in both my photography and my writing.  I’ve also noticed that I get a lot of ideas when I’m not sitting at the computer.  My most creative thought time is when I’m in the shower or driving to work.

Posted via Desktop Publishing Machine

Be-wearables

For us users, a smartwatch collects sensor data, connects to our smartphone, displays alerts, responds to touch and voice commands… and even tells us the time. These are all worthwhile functions that make for neat promo videos, but to keep users interested after the novelty wears out, smartwatches will have to do more than log the miles we’ve run, give us weather updates, and show us the name of the person who’s ringing the smartphone in our pocket. Jean Louis Gassée