The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life [Paperback]

 

 

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As is my custom when a new year begins, I recently re-read this book and The Collaborative Habit. The insights that Twyla Tharp shares in them are, if anything, more valuable now than when the books were first published.

It would be a mistake to ignore the reference to "habit" in their titles because almost three decades of research conducted by K. Anders Ericsson and his associates at Florida State University clearly indicate that, on average, at least 10,000 hours of must be invested in "deliberate," iterative practice under strict and expert supervision to achieve peak performance, be it playing a game such as chess or playing a musical instrument such as the violin. Natural talent is important, of course, as is luck. However, with rare exception, it takes about ten years of sustained, focused, supervised, and (yes) habitual practice to master the skills that peak performance requires.

Tharp characterizes this book as a ""practical guide" but she also frames much of its material within a spiritual context. The creative process can probably be traced back to the earliest humans and yet so much of it remains a mystery. When Henri Matisse was asked if he was always painting, he replied, "No but when the muse visits me, I better have a brush in my hand." Of course, he was also prepared to transform an in inspiration into a work of art...and did on countless occasions.

In the first chapter, Tharp acknowledges what she characterizes as "a philosophical tug of war...It is the perennial debate, born in the Romantic era, between the beliefs that all creative acts are born of (a) some transcendent, inexplicable Dionysian act of inspiration, a kiss from God on your brow that allows you to give the world The Magic Flute, or (b) hard work." She adds, "Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is a result of good work habits. That's it in a nutshell."

Throughout the remainder of her book, Tharp draws heavily upon her own personal as well as professional experiences (she would probably not make that distinction) while citing countless examples of other real-world situations that indicate "There are no `natural' geniuses." However, there are immensely creative people in every domain of human initiative. Therein, I think, is her primary purpose: To convince everyone who reads this book that they can be creative if they are willing to work hard enough.

Here is a representative selection of what she affirms:

o "In order to be creative you have to know how to be creative."
o "Build up your tolerance for solitude."
o "Trust your muscle memory" when physically exercising.
o "If you're like me, reading is the first line of defense against an empty head."
o "You never want the planning to inhibit the natural evolution of your work."
o "Work with the best."
o "Never have a favorite weapon." (Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of the Five Rings, circa 1645)
o "Build a bridge to the next day."
o "Know when to stop tinkering."
o "Creating dance is the thing I know best. It is how I recognize myself."

There is so much of enduring (and endearing) value in this book. Perhaps (just perhaps) this brief commentary helps to explain why I read The Creative Habit and The Collaborative Habit at least once a year and consult passages in them more often. Oscar Wilde once advised, "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken." Those who require proof of that need look no further than Twyla Tharp whose career is her art...and whose art is her life.

Create something new. This book describes how Tharp, and the intent reader, can amplify their creative energies and direct them into creative output. It is so effective that, just a few pages in, I had to put the book down to go back to some writing that had languished.

When I got back to the book, I enjoyed it immensely. If anyone thought for a moment that creativity is some little light that flips on when it will, they are seriously mistaken. Occasional, random flashes do not support a livelihood. The good news is that, whatever your field, creativity can be cultivated. Someone working hard enough and working the right way really can generate what is needed, on a reliable basis.

The process she describes is grueling. It involves massive amounts of training and effort, every day, for years at a stretch. Like it or not, that's the way it has to be. Scientific creativity requires identical dedication and single-mindedness, as described by Santiago Ramon y Cajal in his 'Advice to a Young Investigator.' The good news is that the training works. The process is the same for a mathematician as for a painter or dancer. It is certain and effective. This doesn't mean that every painter will become a Picasso or that every dancer can be a Tharp. It does mean that a sufficiently dedicated worker can generate new ideas, good ones, predictably.

Maybe, at this point, you can imagine some whiner mewling "I'm dedicated, but that's way too much work and it's boring." Such people have no idea what dedication means. Don't argue with them. It won't do them any good, and it will waste time you could have used productively.

I admit that I never learned to appreciate dance, let alone Tharp's ouvre. I still respect her as an artist and innovator, even though I do not understand her art. This book was very well written - surprisingly well, since dancers I've known tend not to be verbally oriented. I enjoyed the way she opened her thoughts to the reader. It even felt voyeuristic at times, when she shared few words of her private vocabulary. I recommend this to anyone who creates new ideas of their own, or who wants an insider's word on the act of creation.

As a frequent consumer of self-help genre books, I had a fair amount of skepticism regarding this one. What could a dancer teach me? However, having read the entire book cover to cover while underlining key ideas, words, or phrases, I have to say this is probably the most practical and insightful book on the creative process that I have ever read. Kudos to Twyla for demystifying creativity. She demonstrates that while there is no substitute for talent (and perhaps the blessings of the gods), much of the creative process is about discipline, focus, dedication, rituals, and creating space for allowing your creative spirit to spring forth.

This is a book I will turn to again and again. Simply the best of its kind.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Creative Habit
This is one of the best tools to get artists of all types motivated that I've seen. The ideas are practical and helpful. Thank you Twyla Tharp for this wonderful book!!!

Published 5 months ago by Kate

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who is not afraid the truth and who wants to improve creativity
If you are afraid of hard work or routine this book may not be for you. But if you are honest about improving your creativity, this is an excellent book about improving... Read more

Published 18 months ago by C. Robinson

3.0 out of 5 stars Some useful tips, but an effort to read
Merlin Mann, creator of 43 Folders, recommended this book in a lecture I saw on YouTube. I wasn't disappointed, but I wasn't blown away either. Read more

Published on Jan 2 2010 by Matthew Hall

3.0 out of 5 stars practical but not carefully edited
Some good, no-nonsense advice, incorporating broad range of sources. Several of these sources, however, should have been checked before publication. Read more

Published on Jun 11 2004 by M. A. Oneal

5.0 out of 5 stars The Necessary Discipline Framework for a Creative Profession
I was attracted to this book because I like to get ideas for how to improve my writing from reading about what others use to feed their creative efforts. Read more

Published on April 11 2004 by Donald Mitchell

5.0 out of 5 stars Infuriatingly Simple
Boil this book down and you're left with one idea: Work at your craft ever day.

Twyla Tharp has created a book that is inspiring while being infuriating, especially for someone... Read more

Published on Feb 18 2004 by Edward Roberts

5.0 out of 5 stars An open road to creativity
Tharp gives the reader enormous insight into her personal creative process as well as concrete steps for developing creativity. Read more

Published on Feb 1 2004 by Wendy Bay Lewis

5.0 out of 5 stars She's tapped into the Gods
Some people highlight passages in books with yellow markers. If I did that practice I'd may as well dunk this book into a vat of orange juice. Read more

Published on Jan 28 2004 by Jimmy Hooker

5.0 out of 5 stars the tao of tharp
The Creative Habit is about two things: the first is that artists live disciplined creative lives and the second is that all successful people lead disciplined creative lives... Read more

Published on Jan 26 2004 by Vince Leo

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightened People Have a Bright Flame
Enlightened people dispel the darkness around them. They live more prosperously, with less stress, consider every difficulty an opportunity, and are open to new learning. Read more

Published on Dec 20 2003 by insightoflight

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