“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” – Albert Einstein*
GOLDEN RULES OF CREATION! Doesn’t it sound official, like something a person might bet two years of the rest of their future on? What are these Golden Rules of Creation?* Read on…
1. Have something to say.
Salman Khan had something to say… I want to create the Holy Grail of education, and make it free for all. He created The Khan Academy , a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission of providing a world-class education to anyone, anywhere. This 1600+ video library is the most-used educational video resource as measured by YouTube video views per day and unique users per month.
This IS NOT “art for arts sake”. This is a clear, conscious voice speaking loudly and simply. It is an excellent example of the Rule #1 – if you have something to say, clear your voice and say it loudly and make it stick – i.e. infuse it with meaning, something that everyone can instantly grasp and that makes people stand up and say yah, hey, this is a great idea/vision/idea!
2. Direct your vision.
Tim Burton on nurturing his unique creative vision
What is that “thing” inside that compels you? This is where the “If only” turns into ACTION, where dreams become reality. What do you want to create of yourself and the world around you? The danger is if you don’t identify your vision and direct it into action, others will plan and direct it for you. Mark Twain said “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”
3. Just get it out there.

Hope by Shepard Fairey – An interview with Shepard by the AV Club.
If it doesn’t get out of your head, it’ll never get out of your head! “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it” says Salvador Dali. Once you’ve pulled those ideas out, get them down on paper, broadcast it over the Internet, stick it up, shout it out. Just get it out there. You never know where your idea will take you or how it may inspire others!
4. Consistency.

You should sketch everyday – Jody Brown.
“Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” Oscar Wilde
This is where a little sprezzatura comes into play: hide conscious effort and appear to accomplish difficult actions with casual nonchalance.
It’s about showing up creatively. Not necessarily every day, but as often as you can.
5. Activate passions creatively to activate others.
Mickey Smith… “open eyes and hearts to the world…make up your own minds to experience and be inspired…live creatively and push the scope of your experience for adventure, for passion…”
When you create from within the (dream)realm of your passions, the “what” that you create can activate others through inspiration.
6. Persistence.
Elizabeth Gilberts Ted Talk on Nurturing Genius
“Don’t be daunted, just do your job! Have the stubbornness to keep showing up and doing what you do.”
Good ideas take time and tenacity to flourish. ““If the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise.” so sayeth William Blake.
6 individual golden rules. When things go well they harmonize. When things go badly you can turn your focus on one to lead to the others. The key to being successful in my 2 years of self-directed will be to maintain a clear relationship with my golden rules of creation.
What golden rules do you do your work by?

