How to Live a Creative Life and Succeed

So you are an artist? Musician? Poet? Mad scientist? Whatever. It doesn’t really matter. You deserve the chance to live a creative life, succeed, and be happy (because that’s important, I promise). Obviously creativity is not about money, fame, or success. However, I would love to see every artist in the Nonsense Society live off their passion. This article will help you get there.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” – Gandalf the Grey

So how do you succeed? You need to know how to deal with people. You need to learn how to portray an attitude that attracts opportunity. In this particular article, I’d like to refer to one of my favorite books of all time: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. The book has long been considered one of the best self-help books ever written. Unfortunately, it is often marketed as a book for businesspeople. In reality, it can help anyone. I am writing this article as a supplementary resource geared toward you creative-types. I have picked several chapter titles’ in the book to talk about.

Don’t criticize, condemn or complain.

Stop complaining. Don’t complain about your life, your art, or anybody else. The most impressive people I have ever met are the most self-assured and accepting people.

“I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar.” – Wash, Serenity

The less you complain about circumstances and people, the less people will complain about you. If you are an artist (of any kind) you know how much criticism can hurt. React to this by simply not participating in it. People tell me I sucks all the time! For a while I tried to argue back, but it never made me feel good. You will find that by letting go, you feel great (and other people will see you as great).

“I will speak ill of no man… and speak all the good I know of everybody.” – Benjamin Franklin

Become genuinely interested in other people.

“Every man is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him.” – R. W. Emerson

Everywhere I go, I talk to people. I try and learn from them. I genuinely care about what they have to say and what they do. Don’t run around trying to be the best (and therefore thinking you are the best). Next time you need inspiration, go out and find someone who makes you say wow! You have so much to gain from other people. Start appreciating them. Better yet, go tell them how much you appreciate them.

Disclaimer: The word “genuine” is of utmost importance here. If you approach someone with selfish intentions they will see right through you.

Give honest and sincere appreciation.

Who inspires you? Go tell them! I have achieved to much through appreciating other people. When I started the Nonsense Society, I wanted to bring all the creative people I knew together. I loved their creativity so much! I wanted to do whatever I could to promote them. After I did that, I began to write to everyone else I admired. They ALL gave me a response. Every single one. I wrote to band managers. I wrote to incredible artists. I wrote to famous people asking for advice. They ALL gave me whatever I wanted. You want to know why they gave me what I wanted? I appreciated them. Now incredible people find me, and I don’t have to ask anymore.

“For example, many years ago a boy of ten was working in a factory in Naples. He longed to be a singer but his first teacher discouraged him. ‘You can’t sing,’ he said, ‘You haven’t any voice at all. It sounds like the wind in the shutters.’ But his mother, a poor peasant woman, put her arms about him and praised him and told him she knew he could sing, she could already see an improvement, and she went barefoot in order to save money to pay for his music lessons. that peasant mother’s praise and encouragement changed that boy’s life. His name was Enrico Caruso, and he became the greatest and most famous opera singer of his age.” (Carnegie, p.228)

Get the other person saying “yes, yes” immediately

When I read this chapter title in How to Win Friends & Influence People, I immediately felt invigorated. Just thinking about saying “yes, yes” gets me all worked up. I’ve met so many creative people who inspire me with their ideas. When you meet someone interesting. Think about what makes them interesting. What are they passionate about? When you figure that out, talk to them about it. Find a similar interest and go nuts. This person will respect you, get involved in your projects, and help you in whatever way they can. I’ve had people give me more than I could have ever dreamed of. I didn’t even have to ask. How? I found a connection between their passion and mine.

Let the other person do a great deal of the talking

I don’t understand people who talk constantly. I rarely argue or debate. Why do you need to know my opinion? Does it make you like me more? Does it help me learn anything? Not really.

Rather than blabbing on and on about how great my latest film is, I’d rather hear what you have to say. I already know why I made the choices I made. I’d much rather hear about what you would have done. I’d much rather hear about what you think about film as an art form. You can learn so much from listening.

I tell people all the time, “Shut up and let everyone else talk.” People like to talk. I challenge you to stop being a good talker and start being a good listener. It will do wonders for you! The more I get people talking, the more they like me! It works every time. Talk less. Constantly ask questions. You will notice people calling you a “good conversationalist” and just smile.

Smile.

There is nothing more attractive than a happy person. This goes double in the arts. Following High School, I went to a competitive music school (side note: I quit) and noticed that 90% of the students appeared miserable to be playing their instruments. They were obsessed with perfection. Not only did I not like these people, but I found I would rather listen to my 5 year-old cousin bang on a piano than go to their recitals. They had lost touch with an aspect of music that makes all the difference: joy. Next time you perform or have an art show I dare you to smile like you have never been more proud. Everyone will come back for more. I promise.

“It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” (Carnegie, p.71)

thoughts by Chris Collins

Carnegie, Dale. How to Win Friends & Influence People. New York: Pocket, 1990. Print.

———————————————————————————————————————————————

If this inspired you, go buy the book (because it’s awesome).

Want to learn how to make money and do what you love? Want to not sit behind a desk 8AM-5PM Monday through Friday?! I suggest you talk to my friend Angela Lussier of 365 Degrees Consulting and buy her book too! It just might change your life.

If you live in Western Massachusetts, Angela also runs a group for people who want to do what they love. You might even meet me there! *gasp* My other friend, Allison Biggs does some wicked sweet creative workshops.

Anything else to add? Please share in the comments, or talk to me.