This site is full of tips & ideas to help you improve your creative thinking. It's developed by Jim Connolly. Copyright © 2026
I spotted this in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire yesterday morning.
It caused me to stop and ponder it for a while. Shortly after, I noticed other people doing the same.
And on a personal note, given my own big bald head, I’m wondering now if yellow shades would suit me 🟡-🟡
The world is full of complicated people.
And if we pay close attention, we sometimes find that those people are THE SAME PERSON.
It just depends when we speak with them.
I’ve seen many art studios and met even more artists, over the years.
While walking this morning, I was sparked by something I’d never given any thought to before.
Why do so many artists look like artists and work from such similar looking studios?
Whilst those who work in the same medium will obviously need similar tools, the way the actual studio looks can be whatever the artist wants it to be. Yet so many choose the same, this is what an artists studio is supposed to look like, look. There are exceptions to this. But that’s the thing, they are exceptions.
If you were to have a random group of 50 people, all dressed in their typical, daily clothing, and only 1 of them was an artist, you’d know who the artist was. It’s the 1 who’s dressed, and styled, like an artist. There are exceptions to this. But that’s the thing, they are exceptions.
Let’s compare the above, to artists who primarily work as dancers, authors or actors, etc. You’d struggle to pick them out from a crowd.
Then, I realised that even the best-known, most respected and valued artists do exactly the same. They look like artists and work in what an artist’s studio is expected to look like.
It’s clearly no barrier to talent.
But uniformed creativity feels like an oxymoron.
Many creative people recommend creating something every day, as a way to improve or retain your creativity.
Others say, it’s only because those people are already highly creative, that they can produce something daily.
Which answer is correct?
Both.
Creativity is sparked in different ways, with different people. And as we all know, it’s often sparked when we’re not even trying, and it often goes missing when we try too hard.
Seeking creativity is, in itself, a highly creative and personal thing. Try things. Mix things up. Keep what works, trash what doesn’t.
Today’s creative spark is about using your age, at any age, as a source of power and a springboard to live your best life, and/or do your best work.
Let’s go!
When I started the business I currently own and run, I was just 29-years old. Not only that, I looked like I was in my early 20s. It was tricky to get people who were in their 40’s and 50’s, to hire a guy who looked half their age, for my expert advice.
So, I decided to use my youth as a major plus. I told myself that youth was like a superpower, which brought boundless energy and ambition. It worked. My newfound confidence attracted people who valued that kind of vigour and relentless positivity.
In my profession as a creative problem solver, 60 is a golden age. It’s when you have the experience, the knowledge, the connections, the track record and the reputation to make it easy to hire you.
I’m looking forward to my 60s and all the new opportunities this will bring. A lot of this is down to my mindset. Many people I’ve known have reached 60, then suddenly started to sound old.
He walks with a stick and has a few health issues. And every day of his life he paints, draws or writes something. His art is wonderful. His outlook is is one of relentless positivity and his love for life is inspirational.
He said that when collectors of his work contact him, he always replies. If they write him a letter including a stamped, addressed envelope, he posts them a reply, which occasionally contains a very simple sketch.
For those who feel their age is a barrier to their success: like they’re too young, too middle aged or too old, it isn’t.
That age barrier exists in your mind.
Yes, their absolutely are some who refuse to hire people for certain positions, once they pass a certain age. But there are more people who hire the person, and not how many candles someone had on this year’s birthday cake.
Use your age as a superpower.
An opportunity to flourish.
A moment in time to embrace the potential still within you.
Selfie mode is perfect for 21st century culture.
It’s specifically designed, so we can take great photos of ourselves.
To set the lens, so we can be sure we’re in the right position and look our very best.
And millions of selfies are taken every day.
All of us, especially me, might benefit from focusing more on others. To put them in the frame of our attention. Even if it’s just a passing smile.
Our smile might be the only sunshine they see that day.
It struck me earlier: time is not your enemy. It’s your editor.
As the husband of a best-selling author, I know the role editors have in making sure a book is ready for publishing. And honestly, time is more like your editor than your enemy.
Time gets a bad rap. So do editors. Neither of them are your enemy.
I recently started to do a lot more of my note-taking, organically. Pen and paper. In notebooks or on scraps of paper.
Over the past 6 months, I’d slowly switched over to doing the vast majority of my note-taking digitally. Either on my phone, iPad or Macs.
But I noticed that something was missing from my notes and creative output. Digital is certainly far more efficient. However, I’m not sure as a creative professional, that efficiency is of first importance.
I think I’ve now discovered what’s missing.
I believe that what’s been missing is the overall experience of working with my hands. Using tools. This changes how I feel when I write. These feelings then change what I write.
There’s a creative spark, at least for me, when working with raw tools, with ink on my fingers, playing with sticky notes and swapping between pens and notebooks.
Since (re)adding analogue notes to my creativity mix, I’ve noticed an increase in my productivity. In fact, I’ve revived this site and started to share some of the ideas that come to mind. It could be a flash in the pan. Time will tell.
FYI, the above photo is today’s pen of choice. A Lamy Al Star.
I saw a wonderful piece of street art recently, (above). It’s called From Queens Come Kings.
The title refers to the fact that 3 guys from Hollis, Queens, New York, went on to become international super-stars of music – influencing millions of people. I’m referring to the amazing RUN DMC.
Whatever your musical tastes may be, I am willing to guess that there are artists in your music collection, who went from nowhere, to super-stardom. Talent, determination and a commitment to their craft – this seems a recipe for success at the highest level in music.
The question is, what are we going to do with all our potential?
As a huge RUN DMC fan, I am so grateful that these 3 amazing people chose to make the world a better place, with their unique sound.
Photo: Bixentr.
Compare different surveys regarding human behaviour. You’ll see how utterly confused, conflicted and rudderless the average person is.
They watch 7 hours of TV or streaming video a day.
They also wish they had more time for family and friends.
They go on weight-loss diets.
They also know diets don’t work.
The vast majority say they walk past homeless people in the street.
They also say society should be more compassionate.
I think there’s a pattern, here.
