The Cognitive Dissonance of Creativity

To be a creator you have to hold two opposite thoughts in your mind. The dance of this cognitive dissonance is one of most tenuous parts of ongoing creativity.

  1. I can write whatever I want right now, because I will keep it private for as long as it takes to shape it into good art. Even if that is forever.
  2. I have set a deadline for myself to put this into the world. Ready or not, I’m publishing it.

You’ve got to have both. Lean towards #1 and you go ten years between albums. Lean towards #2 and you publish dreck.

Dance between them to make art regularly.