One of my favorite books is a little treasure I found while rummaging through an off-the-beaten-path bookstore in London. Hegarty On Creativity is a book of musings by award-winning ad man John Hegarty. Right from the start it drew me in because he discusses the idea of the importance of the blank page. As long as I can remember, I have been a journal fanatic, so Hegarty’s thoughts and experiences speak to me as a writer.
Not until Hegarty pointed out that, “the blank page is one of the greatest challenges faced by the creative person”, did I think of it that way. I always look at a blank page as limitless opportunity. To me, a blank canvas is like an unspoken promise.
I can do anything.
I can write anything.
I can create everything.
So, how is it that the greatest opportunity can also be one of the greatest challenges? Well, it just makes sense. When opportunity is put before you, or if you’re creating your own opportunity, there is also great risk. There is the expected risk of failure, but there is more than that. There is the risk of success~ of succeeding too fast. There is also the risk of alienating those who are close to you, and that’s ok.
The key is embracing the risk so that you can get to the reward. How can you do that with the blank page? Here are 3 key ways:
- Consider the blank page your permission slip- Much like when we were kids and needed a permission slip to do things, many adults fall into the pattern of not moving forward with something as if they don’t have permission. Consider a blank page as your personal invitation to do something new, to disrupt the status quo.
- Make the blank page an outlet to give yourself freedom to create- Sometimes we live or work in a culture where we feel oppressed. Consider the blank page your ticket to freedom. You can rework any process, program or old solution. You can create a completely new business. You can inspire a person, a generation or an industry.
- Use the blank page as a place where you list all your barriers, be it things or people, and strategically work to eliminate all barriers to your goal- We all have barriers. What I’ve learned is that those barriers only have power as long as we let them. Write down all the things in your life that are limiting your capabilities to be the very best you and get rid of them. It will not be easy, but it will be worthwhile.
If you’re in search of inspiration, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Hegarty on Creativity. His view of the world is one full of honesty, partnership and eliminating barriers. Well worth the time to read. Enjoy!
