Sebas Bravo

Embracing the creative mindset

Creativity is not a gift reserved for a select few; it’s a way of engaging with life that is available to everyone. Often, we limit our understanding of creativity to traditional artistic pursuits, but true creativity extends far beyond that. It can manifest in problem-solving, designing solutions, or even in how we approach everyday challenges. At its core, creativity is a mindset—a state of openness and curiosity, where we are willing to explore the unknown and embrace new ideas.

Just as Rick Rubin stated: “Through the ordinary state of being, we’re already creators in the most profound way, creating our experience of reality and composing the world we perceive.” Since the moment we were born, we got it within us, we are experiencing creativity at every moment. Every time we speak, every time we imagine something in our heads; so we should let it live outside us and have an extroverted creativity.

There is no singular “correct” way to be creative. Each person’s process is unique and deeply personal, free from judgment or comparison. When we understand that creativity is inherent in our nature, we start to recognize that it can be nurtured, developed, and expressed in countless ways. This mindset shift helps us to see creativity not as a rare talent but as a skill that grows with practice.

It is just about being curious and aware. Aware of our surroundings and, most importantly, of what is within ourselves. If we focus on what is inside—sensations, emotions, the patterns of our thoughts—a wealth of material can be found. Open your senses and start feeling!

Creative people often navigate more uncertainty than others. This uncertainty, while uncomfortable, is also what makes the process rewarding. Creativity is about freedom—freedom to explore, make mistakes, and learn. The more we embrace this freedom and let go of rigid expectations, the easier it becomes to uncover new opportunities for growth and self-expression.

The artist’s journey

The path of creativity is not a straight line; it is a winding journey filled with discovery, challenges, and moments of profound insight. It begins with an idea—raw, unrefined, and full of potential. The process of shaping that idea into something meaningful is where the real work lies. The creative journey is messy and iterative, often involving multiple drafts, revisions, and even failures. However, these obstacles are not setbacks; they are essential parts of the process that lead to growth and refinement.

Adversity will always be part of the process, and it is part of being creative to face challenges. For example, self-doubt, it lives in all of us—and while we may wish it gone—it is there to serves us, as it allows us to be better prepared for situations that might happen in the future. Not everything will go as planned, but we must accept, to persist and resist.

Being creative requires vulnerability. It demands that we step outside of our comfort zones and trust our instincts, even when they lead us into unfamiliar territory. Success in creativity is not about achieving perfection; it is about showing up consistently, embracing the process, and learning from each step along the way.

When working on a creative craft, quantity matters more than quality, and by this I mean that we should always be in a constant iteration, practicing and practicing and practicing. Eventually, the quality will be a by-product of the great work done. The key is to submerge ourselves joyfully in the process of making things.

Every project, whether it’s a piece of art, a design, or a new invention, reflects the journey of the creator. It captures the struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. This journey requires patience and perseverance, but it also rewards those who are willing to explore with an open heart and mind. By embracing uncertainty and trusting the process, we allow creativity to flourish naturally.

The power of attention and awareness

At the heart of creativity lies awareness. By paying close attention to the world around us, we unlock hidden sources of inspiration that might otherwise go unnoticed. Creativity thrives in a state of heightened receptivity, where ideas flow effortlessly from moments of observation and reflection. Awareness allows us to notice the subtleties of life, sparking new insights and connections.

Equally important is intention. When we approach our creative pursuits with clear goals and purpose, we focus our energy on what truly matters. Intentionality ensures that our actions align with our vision, making the creative process more purposeful and effective. By being mindful of how we spend our time and energy, we can channel our efforts into projects that resonate deeply with us.

One of our intentions should be simply the act of experimentation, to allowing ourselves to play with forms and see what takes shape. This will create seeds, seeds of projects and crafts that we need to water and then harvest—a great barometer for selecting which seed to focus on is “excitement,” when something interesting starts to come together, it arouses a delight. Give yourself permission to experience joy and of being surprised.

• This concept of seed can also been seen in day by day interactions. Imagine you give a compliment or a smile to someone, that is your seed of kindness, what happens next? Maybe you see how that other person smiled too, there you will know that your seed has growth. Become a farmer of great seeds.

Furthermore, we must be aware of the state of our body. When working on a creative endeavor in which we feel joy, there will be a moment in which we will enter into a state of flow or momentum, when feeling it, maintain it.

The intersection of awareness and intention creates clarity. It helps us refine our creative path and make deliberate choices that enhance our work. Living mindfully and practicing awareness also strengthens our intuition, allowing ideas to emerge more naturally. This combination of presence and purpose is the key to unlocking creative potential and achieving meaningful results.

Attention and awareness will produce an abundant mindset. This state of mind should be seen as a river in which ideas are always coming through.

Crafting and refining your work

Creativity begins with inspiration, but it doesn’t end there. The initial spark of an idea is just the starting point. To create something truly impactful, we must engage in the process of crafting and refining our work. This involves taking raw ideas and shaping them through a process of editing, revising, and polishing. Finally, perfection is finally obtained when there is nothing more to add, but there is no longer anything to take away either.

Refining your work is about finding balance—knowing what to keep and what to let go of. It requires a critical eye and a willingness to assess what serves the final vision and what doesn’t. This process can be challenging, as it often means discarding elements we may have grown attached to. However, the courage to let go is what allows a good idea to evolve into something extraordinary.

Perfection is not the goal. The aim is to express your authentic voice in the clearest, most impactful way possible. Refinement is an ongoing process, rooted in continuous improvement rather than rigid standards of excellence. Every masterpiece, invention, or innovation is the result of effort, revision, and a commitment to the creative journey. Embracing this mindset helps us transform ideas into finished works that resonate deeply.

As Rick said:

Creativity is something you are, not only something you do. It’s a way of moving through the world, every minute, every day.

Living a creative life

Creativity is not confined to specific projects or tasks; it is a philosophy for living. Every aspect of life can be approached as a creative act, from problem-solving to building relationships and finding joy in the mundane. Living creatively means actively seeking ways to infuse innovation and curiosity into every situation. It is about finding inspiration everywhere—in nature, people, and experiences—and using that inspiration to craft a life full of meaning and wonder.

• If we like what we are creating, we don’t have to know why. You are free to create what you will. See yourself as a creator, your path is unique, for only you to follow.

A creative life is dynamic, filled with continuous exploration and learning. It encourages us to challenge the status quo and embrace new possibilities. By adopting a mindset of creativity, we open ourselves to a world of opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What we must do as artist is to surf that wave of energy. The energy is not generated by us. We are caught by it. We picked it up from the work. It contains the charge. A contagious vitality that pulls us forward. The call of the artist is to follow excitement. Where there is excitement, there is energy. And where there is energy, there is light.

Our life is like a prism, in which a single beam of light enters and it is reflected into an array of colors. In our case, random and neutral events enter, and they are transformed into feelings, thoughts, and actions. We all have our own shape of the prism, so it emits different and unique shades of art.

Living creatively also means seeing challenges as opportunities for innovation. It is about approaching problems with fresh perspectives and finding innovative solutions. This mindset not only enriches our lives but also empowers us to make a positive impact on the world around us. In choosing to live creatively, we create a fulfilling existence that celebrates curiosity, courage, and the joy of discovery.