Creativity is often associated with artists, writers, musicians, and other people who produce original and valuable works of art. But creativity is not limited to these fields. Creativity is a universal human trait that can be applied to any domain of life, from business to education, from science to spirituality.

Creativity is the ability to generate new and useful ideas, solutions, products, or expressions. It is the process of finding novel ways to solve problems, express oneself, or create value. Creativity is not a fixed or innate talent, but a skill that can be learned, practiced, and improved.

But how can we develop and enhance our creativity? How can we overcome the obstacles and challenges that hinder our creative potential? How can we make a living with our creative ideas?

To answer these questions, I listened to an insightful podcast episode from The Examined Life, hosted by Khe Hy, a former Wall Street executive turned writer and podcaster. In this episode, Khe interviews Jeffrey B. Madoff, a fashion designer, playwright, author, professor, and entrepreneur. Jeff is the author of the book Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas, based on the course he teaches at Parsons School of Design.

In this podcast, Jeff shares his wisdom and experience on creativity, career, and life. He talks about his own journey of switching from fashion design to film production, writing, teaching, and producing. He also gives practical advice on how to find your creative voice, how to deal with rejection and criticism, how to collaborate with others, how to market and monetize your creative work, and how to balance passion and pragmatism.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the podcast:

• Creativity is not a gift, but a muscle. You have to exercise it regularly, challenge it, and expose it to different stimuli and perspectives. You have to be curious, open-minded, and willing to learn from others and from your own mistakes.
• Creativity is not a solitary act, but a social one. You need to surround yourself with people who support you, inspire you, and challenge you. You need to seek feedback, mentorship, and collaboration. You need to share your ideas and your work with the world, and listen to the response.
• Creativity is not a guarantee of success, but a source of satisfaction. You have to accept that not everyone will like or understand your creative work, and that you will face rejection, criticism, and failure. You have to persevere and keep creating, not for external validation, but for internal fulfillment.

If you are interested in learning more about creativity and how to make a living with your ideas, I highly recommend you to listen to the podcast episode here. You will find a lot of inspiration, wisdom, and practical tips from Jeff and Khe, who are both successful and creative professionals.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it useful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for reading!