2. Emulate the Masters:

This principles applies more to art, music, and writing than to science or business.

If you want to create something amazing, a good way to start is by emulating other people who have. A great technique is to practice actually copying the form of your favorite writers, artists, speakers, or musicians. Say you love Byron’s poetry. Literally spend a little time each day copying Byron word for word. As you do this, try to commit the words to memory. This will really give you a feel for his style. Over time, you’ll find that you are incorporating elements of Byron’s style into your own (By copying Byron, you’re developing a subconscious program to write like Byron in your mind/brain. See Learning and the Brain for more). When you do this with multiple sources (say you copy Shakespeare and Maya Angelou as well) you gain the ability to synthesize elements from multiple styles in novel ways, and this is a wonderful creative tool.

Once you’ve got the hang of writing in a given author’s style (or painting in a given painter’s style, or composing… you get the picture) try the exercise that Sean Connery has his apprentice (played by Rob Brown) do in the movie Finding Forester. Start a work by copying a master, but as soon as you see an opportunity to do so, take things in a completely new direction. This is a great way to ease into your own creative stride.

3. Nourish Your Brain

This wouldn’t be a ReEvolution piece without something about nutrition! As obvious as it sounds, we need to emphasize that if you don’t fuel your body with high quality nutrition, and also maximize your health and vitality with proper sleep and exercise habits, your brain will not function at max capacity, and everything you do, including creative tasks will suffer. What we are able to create in the world is a product of our whole being. Neglect the needs of any aspect of your being and your creative product will invariably suffer.