When you’re beginning a big new creative project, here are five exercises to help you start strong – and persist till you get it over the finish line. Which one resonates most with you?

Podcast: The Case Against Super-Intelligence This episode of Cal Newport’s Deep Questions podcast dissects some of the apocalyptic claims made for AI. Aprofessor of computer science as well as a prolific author, I found his calm, measured analysis reassuring. www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/epi...

Focus in. Really notice. Especially when you're overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next. The devil is in the detail. And often, also the joy.

Annual planning has always felt a bit overwhelming. My work is too unpredictable. But a month rarely seems long enough to get anything substantial done. So for me, 90 days is the sweet spot. It’s enough time to progress a major project. And if I fail, I get a fresh start every three months!

Sunday celebration. Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: TV: Traitors It couldn’t be anything else, really. Love how they’re finding new twists to keep the format fresh.

Most creatives are good at one of these, but not the other. They make work, but don't market or sell it. Or they talk about the work endlessly, but don't make much. You need both, in balance. Make the work. Share the work. Which side do you struggle with most? (With me: it's marketing!)

Whatever you've been dreaming of, or been longing to do.. start now. Just begin. There will never be a better time. It will be messy, frustrating. But keep showing up, and do a little every day. Until it becomes who you are.

I love Twixmas. For me, this is a time to rest, read, day-dream, and go for long walks. For many, it’s a time to review the past year, and plan the one to come. So I made this workbook to help. Details below.

We all have our winters. Seasonal, but also creative. There's a time to push on, and a time to rest, replenish, recover. If you're in a fallow period, just trust the process. Find what interests you. What beings you joy. Follow the clues. Be patient. And spring will come again.

2025 has been a grim year in many ways. So this is just a simple reminder to creators everywhere. Our job is of course to reflect the world as it is. But it is also to help people imagine what it could be. It all starts with a story, a song, an image. So make more in 2026. Show what's possible

Sunday celebration Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: Novel: I Who Have Never Known Men Jacqueline Harper's short, atmospheric novel is set in a mysterious post-apocalyptic world that is beautifully realised, but never fully explained.

As we rush around getting ready for the holiday season, this seems a good book to share. Humans need rest. We need enough sleep. And we function better if we take a break, a nap, a walk. Very few of us can do more than four hours of deep, creative work in a day. And even then, we need breaks.

When I read about Bill Gates’ Think Week I was envious. A week alone in an isolated cabin to read, write, rest and think felt like an extravagance only a billionaire could afford. Yet we all need time to think. Here’s how I found it – and how you might, too.

This is a busy time of year for many of us. But take a moment, every day, to also enjoy it. The wonder is always there. You just have to notice it.

Sunday celebration. Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: Art: Bridget Riley, Learning To See It’s not often a show changes my mind about an artist completely, but this one at the Turner Contemporary in Margate did. Just stunning.

A good present for a creative friend – but a better gift for yourself. My little book has 365 ideas for artist dates and solo adventures, plus my thoughts on why play is important for adults, as well as children. Buy it now on Amazon: amzn.to/4fxTw72 Or get the ebook directly from my website.

Generosity is not seasonal. It's a way of being. And for creatives, sharing your knowledge, your work, your skills is essential. It can be hard to be generous when you feel under-valued. As most creatives do, right now. But it changes everything.

In 20 years' time, what will you regret most: Trying out that idea and failing? Or not trying at all? Write that novel. Sing that song. Make your art. Launch your business. And if the it fails, try again. This is the way.

Sunday celebration. Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: Essay: Charli XCX In her new Substack, our favourite brat writes about being a 21st century pop star: the fun, the downsides – and the endless waiting in liminal spaces.

Most of us have a nagging feeling that we’re spreading ourselves too thinly, that we’re trying to do too much. The online world encourages us to go wide. To be everything, everywhere, all at once. But what if instead we choose to go deeper?

Feedback is often useful. But other people's opinions are just that. Only YOU know when you are ready. When a piece of creative work is done. Trust your instincts. Trust yourself. Everything else? It's just noise.

Sunday celebration. Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: Novel: Butter Asako Yuzuki’s tale of liberation and sensual awakening via French cooking and a very Japanese serial killer was entertaining and thought-provoking. I’m now on the hunt for Échiré butter…

Struggling to pitch your ideas? Can't quite press the 'publish' button? Made some lovely things, but not really telling the world about them ? I wrote this for you...

To be creative, you don't have to be a great novelist like Toni Morrison. Start small. What problems will you solve this week? What will you create?

Sunday celebration Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: Gig: Anna Phoebe One woman improvising on violin, accompanied by electronic samples. Mesmerising. Her album Divergence is well worth a listen.

We all know we should be marketing more. But we’re often less sure about how. Here are seven simple things you can share about your work - on social media, or elsewhere. It’s all about building lasting relationships with your true fans. thecreativelife.net/seven-things...

David Bowie was a magpie who stole from everywhere. But then made it completely and utterly his own. We can all learn from his example. Be yourself. Everyone else is taken. Make art for yourself. And your audience will come.

Sunday celebration Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: Film: Bugonia Another bonkers Yorgos Lanthimos film, with great performances by Emma Stone and Jessie Plemons. It’s entertaining, violent and visually thrilling. The haunting final tableaus were extraordinary.

We know the creative blocks that stop us starting our work. But what about the fears that that stop us finishing? When can’t seem to get your creative project over the finish line, here's what might be stopping you. (And how to deal with it.) thecreativelife.net/fear-of-fini...

Begin, and the inspiration will come. Eno advocates tidying up your workspace as a good way to clear your mind, day-dream, and open up to new ideas. I like a long solo walk. How about you?

Sunday celebration Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: Music: Florence + The Machine, Everybody Scream. Soaring songs with Florence Welch’s mighty voice and so much going on that they really shouldn’t work. Yet they always do.

As a coach, I work with creative professionals and lots of them have limiting beliefs around money (yup, even the successful and wealthy ones!). This is just a list of books and resources that I have found useful. sharing them in case they help you, too.

The best time to start is always now. Start before you're ready. Allow it to be messy, imperfect. Robert Rodriguez has yet to make a perfect film. But he's made a lot of good ones. Don't hoard your ideas. Make them!

Perfectionism is often just fear in a fancy suit. It stops us finishing work, sharing it, learning from it. It stops us jumping in on our best ideas. It dooms us to a life of tweaking and polishing. Here’s how I (eventually) got over it.

The part of creative process we often try to skip: Time to gather yourself, to gather new ideas, references, inputs. Space to rest, recover, explore and play. It might not look like work, from the outside. But it's an essential part of any sustainable creative life.

This month, I've mainly been avoiding the blank page. I'm starting a new book, but suddenly decided I needed to research more, read more. Even though I know the subject well. Fear is always present, with creative work. So I wrote about it.

If you're feeling blocked, it's easy to say don't worry. Especially if you're as brilliant a songwriter as Carole King. But trust yourself. Go do something different for a while. Be kind, and your muse always returns. #Blocktober #creativeblocks

Out of ideas? If your muse has left the building, here are some suggestions from designer Jonathan Ive, architect Zaha Hadid, artist Richard Friend and entrepreneur James Altucher. thecreativelife.net/how-to-have-...

Resting is not a moral failure. It's a human need. You don't have to earn or deserve it. You just need to take it. This month I'm talking about creative blocks. Often, the cure is as simple as taking a break, a nap, a play date. So: when can you cut yourself some lack this week?

Sunday celebration. Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: TV: The Celebrity Traitors I don’t watch much reality TV. But if I wasn’t hooked on Traitors already, Alan Carr’s (fairly) unwilling betrayal of Paloma Faith would have reeled me in.

You have a to-do list that's never done. Too much content to ever consume. And so many choices, so many things you feel you should, ought , must do. You're overwhelmed. Here's what to do about it. thecreativelife.net/dealing-with...

It's hard to imagine the late, great Hilary Mantel getting stuck. But of course we all do, sometimes. In those times, stop pushing. Have an honest attempt at work, but if you're truly stuck, go to something different. Then try again, gently. But regularly. #Blocktober #creativeblocks

Sunday celebration Three things I’ve found interesting or inspiring this week: App: Mem.ai My note-taking app just had a brilliant upgrade. I keep most of my life in this: short writing, notes, quotes, checklists. As I’m writing something new, a side-panel surfaces related notes to use.

Are you ready to take your creative business or career to the next level? My 10-week course for a small group of up to 12 creative professionals starts next Tuesday night at 7.30pm. Each week, we meet on Zoom and discuss a different aspect of creative process, and making a living from our work.

Even if you work alone - perhaps especially if you work alone - you need a strong network. Grow yours. Nurture it. And use it. It changes everything. Here’s how.

We all fall prey to compare and despair. Especially in the hall of smoke and mirrors that is social media. So remember this: You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be human. To make something, and put it out there.

Sunday celebration: three things I've found fun or inspiring this week. Novel: Irvine Welsh, Men In Love Picked this up from the library on Friday. I’m enjoying spending more time with the Trainspotting crew. And seeing how much Welsh has grown as a writer since that early novel.

We love the idea of the lone genius, working alone and unappreciated. It's a great story. But it's rarely true. Most leaps forward in culture grow out of what Brian Eno calls scenius: groups of creatives supporting, inspiring , provoking and competing with each other.

We're all waiting for an invitation to the club. But you don't need permission to be a writer, an artist, a director, a designer, a musician – or anything else. To own the noun, do the verb. Write. Paint. Make. Film. Act. Design. Play. Sing. Perform. Create, create, create. Feels good, no?

Sunday celebration: three things I've found fun or inspiring this week. Comedy: Lou Sanders, No Kissing At The Bingo Hall The filming of her show at Ramsgate involved silly props, an absurd dress, (barely) controlled chaos, and some great anecdotes. Plus quite a lot of laughter.