The Creative Habit
by Twyla Tharp · first published 2003
71% recommend21% neutral7% critical
Why HN recommends it
Demystifies creativity as a matter of disciplined daily work, with practical techniques like routines and rituals for building a habit; suited to artists, designers, and engineers wanting a focused how-to.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…Wisdom - From Darwin to Munger The Personal MBA - Josh Kaufman Charlie Munger - The Psychology of Human Misjudgment Predictably Irrational - by Dan Ariely Daniel Kahneman - Thinking, Fast and Slow The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life - Twyla Tharp Michael Michalko - Creative Thinkering Thinking in Systems: A Primer - Donella H. Meadows The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt
on “Ask HN: What books to read on developing mental models and increasing cognition?” ↗…because I'm old, and it's too late for me. If I could talk to my 14 year old self, or any 14 year old, I would tell them that there is significantly more to life than what can be learned in a book. [0] The Creative Habit, by Twyla Tharp
on “What Would You Recommend to a Bright 14 Year Old?” ↗…just start behaving in any way for no reason -- you do it because something happened. There's always a push, initiating your actions. A great example of using it for your benefit is described in The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, where she says that having daily rituals helps in shaping new habits. In her example every morning she goes outside and hails a taxi; then she goes to the gym where she exercises for an…
on “Top Mistakes in Behavior Change” ↗…plagues anyone who tries to do anything worthwhile. The strategy Pressman outlines for fighting Resistance dovetails nicely with the techniques described in the other book I'd recommend, which is "The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharp. With respect to procrastination, Tharp talks about recognizing (1) that creative work is still work and (2) the importance of developing solid daily routines and rituals so that you…
on “Ask Entrepreneurs: Productivity tips for a chronic procrastinator?” ↗…find another tool to add to your kit. If this author's approach seems similar to what you already do, then investigating something less dominated by visual senses might be useful. Twyla Tharp's "The Creative Habit" might provide some useful insights.
on “How I Use Visualization To Drive Creativity” ↗The notion of 'ritual' is a central theme in Twyla Tharp's book 'The Creative Habit', which I think most HN'ers would find a worthwhile read.
on “The Only Way to Get Important Things Done ” ↗…Also, you might be surprised by how many artists have a strict routine, and dedicate themselves to a regular pattern of practice. Twyla Tharp wrote an entire book on the subject: http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Habit-Learn-Use-Life/dp/07432...
on “Working Hard With No Regrets” ↗I'm a big fan of Twyla Tharp's "The Creative Habit" for one reason: it completely does away with the whole mystification of "creativity" as some gift from a divine source. The plot is simple: creating stuff requires work. Figure out how you work best,…
on “Chuck Close on Creativity, Work Ethic, and Problem-Solving vs. Problem-Creating” ↗There’s a fantastic book called “The Creative Habit” by the choreographer Twyla Tharp if anyone is looking for a focused and clearly written “how to” manual for this. It became something of a bible for me when studying sculpture.
on “What I learned from writing for The Onion for a month (2015)” ↗I agree that many people think "being creative" is just swanning around being inspired, but all the high-level creative people I know are very hard-working. There's a great book called The Creative Habit by the choreographer Twyla Tharp which is an absolutely fantastic insight into what it takes to operate at a high level in the arts.
on “Social media may prevent users from reaping creative rewards of profound boredom” ↗Read The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
on “Ask HN: How to Stop Being Rigid?” ↗…too late for me. If I could talk to my 14 year old self, or any 14 year old, I would tell them that there is significantly more to life than what can be learned in a book. [0] The Creative Habit, by Twyla Tharp " [via] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9268981
on “Ask HN: What are the most uplifting comments you've read on HN?” ↗see how other creative people do it. http://www.amazon.com/The-Creative-Habit-Learn-Life/dp/07432... from amazon "Twyla Tharp, one of America's greatest choreographers, began her career in 1965, and has created more than 130 dances for her company as well as for the Joffrey Ballet,…
on “Feynman: I am burned out and I'll never accomplish anything” ↗The software craftsmanship movement seems to be completely divorced from reality. For one, I can't for the life of me work out why they would list "The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp" as a reading. That book was terrible. It basically seems to just be a short list of tautologies. No one in their right mind would disagree on what is on the list, but they leave off basically…
on “The path of software development craftsmanship” ↗…job provides a "framework that exists and you purely have to execute". And that is exactly what we're talking about here but for personal work not a job. It's a common message -- see Twyla Tharp's "The Creative Habit" or Stephen King's "On Writing" or even Steven Pressfield's "The War of Art" -- a personal work routine provides the framework. However, even when I understood this consciously, for a long time I didn't…
on “Ask HN: I am lost in life. How do I fix this?” ↗