The Gyst Life

126 - In The Battle for Creativity, Creativity Becomes the Battle

Last year I had an interesting journey with my professional career and with my relationship to creativity. In some ways I really felt lost, a bit defeated and unsure of myself or my abilities to make decisions. It had me start to question why I even bother pursuing this idea of living a creative life. Wondering often, what that even means.
I needed a win, a reminder, a recalibration.
Which I got.
A book I was reading about creativity, along with a video I watched about taking an artistic approach to work, prompted a deep dive into answering a simple, yet profoundly complex question for myself...
What's true for me?
In an attempt to answer that question, I ended up deciding to produce a short film about my journey with creativity, because, apparently, that's what needed to happen. And why not? Seems doable, even though I've never done anything like that before.
In full disclosure, I proudly identify as what you would call a 'Jack of all Trades'. I have no formal education in film, other than having been in the creative industry assuming various roles from design, production, communications, strategy and management. Let's just say I know enough about a few things to be dangerous and can easily find myself in way over my head, which I was.
The Fog of War in the Battle for Creativity
The fog of war is a metaphor that's been used as far back as the 1800's. It meant to capture the uncertainty of any outcome, like that of a war. In today's world it refers to the difficulty of making decisions in the midst of (insert conflict here).
If you would indulge me on a tangent...
This connected me to one of the biggest reasons why I love to play certain video games, the irony that comes from how I tend to feel about that same struggle in the real world and a shift of perspective this experience is unraveling for me.
I've played video games for well over 35 years or so. I love playing video games, so much so, there is a space on my calendar dedicated to that activity alone.
In the virtual world there is also a fog of war
It's actually a primary mechanic in many games. It reveals what I've discovered on my journey and what i have yet to uncover. With every new discovery, comes a boost of confidence and courage to continue to venture forward into the unknown.
And I do so, eagerly and with a virtual pep in my step. EXCITED by the prospect of what new thing I might discover along the way.
Sometimes I'm ready for what's next, basking in the glory of a well deserved victory, other times I'm back at home base licking my wounds and preparing for the arduous journey to retrieve my stuff from a place I'm clearly not ready for.
Yet...
With this new clarity and perspective, I can return with a level of readiness and preparation that simply didn't exist up until that moment where the fog of war lifted and I was face to face with an unexpected adversary.
I produced a short film. Now what?
This is what I asked myself and again I am in way over my head. A few conversations with some inspiring people here in town how has me hosting a screening of my film at the end of this month.
One of my characters (I talk about that in a previous podcast), can't help but shake his head in disbelief as he comments on me "doing it again".
But here's the thing I am realizing...
I have an interesting relationship with the growth and grind of leveling up in the virtual world, and by association to certain games I play in the real world too.
I always enjoyed the game...
Regardless of the grind, when it was the game I CHOSE to play.
And even though there are some IRL games that I wished I didn't have to play, the simple truth is that fog of war that has been forever revealed is a good thing!
It will always be a variable I must navigate, but there will be ways for me to go around because I know it exists.
The Lesson?
You might now know what you'll uncover in the creative game you're playing, but you can ALWAYS choose which game you WANT to play. So if you don't like the game you're currently playing, pick a different one.
Just remember, with every new game comes a new fog of war.
 
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Every month I share a personal perspective about the challenges and discoveries we/I face as human beings on our journey to live a creative life. The process we go through to uncover, distill and be recognized for the original value and point of view we bring.
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125 - Are you a Magic Colour Maker?

In this episode, I share my journey of navigating the delicate balance between creativity and practicality. Writing down my realizations and discoveries has been a game-changer, helping me connect the dots in unexpected ways.
Today's conversation is all about harmonizing creativity with the need to follow through. It's a challenge many of us face, but I'll share insights on defining your ideal client, testing assumptions, and the importance of reviewing and refining.
Persona work is a topic I'll explore too. We'll discuss how to define an ideal customer persona and why it's crucial, while also being aware of its limitations. It's a hypothesis that needs proactive reflection and validation.
My decade-long experience has taught me the importance of understanding who I thought my ideal client was versus the reality of who they are. Stress-testing these assumptions and evaluating the variables are part of the game. We're unique in that we can keep the elements we enjoy and discard the rest.
Now, let me introduce you to the "Magic Colour Maker." This persona embodies the best attributes of an entrepreneur, visionary leader, and difference maker. They create not solely for profit but for personal fulfillment. They are specialists with a generalist mindset, big-picture thinkers, and fearless boundary-pushers.
This is the new truth for me right now, and if it resonates with you, you might be a perfect fit to work one-on-one work with me. Test out this hypothesis and see if it aligns with your path:
https://www.davidschmeikal.com/

124 - Are Rituals Essential or Ornamental?

Welcome!I have a new curiosity I am exploring, for the next little while I will be speaking about the often misunderstood world of rituals.This came about when I sat down and had a conversation with Tanya from Body Art Motion and Jai from Zephrym about the upcoming art and performance showcase they're hosting called Ritual Arts.
It's a little ironic that I will be using my own ritual of exploration to explore the practice of rituals.
There is a lens of which I've viewed that term, like all of us. Mine comes from how I was raised and the religious context I observed the world growing up. 
There were rituals that were deemed right and those definitively wrong.
Regardless of where you find yourself, the world of rituals is a fantastically huge realm to explore.  A worthwhile pursuit to decode the way in which our global collection of cultures describe, honor and display their deepest values and beliefs.
These have been a cornerstone to our evolution and will continue to influence how we honor our individuality while attempting to coordinate with aligned purpose as a collective.
 

123- Our Unseen Emotional Drivers

What happens when good intentions lead us down unpredictable paths?
In today’s episode, a loss of a beloved 🐾 feline friend and a surprise adoption 🐱❤️ highlights the powerful connection between logic and passion.

122 - The Balancing Act: Control & Integrity

🎨 The Balancing Act: Control & Integrity 🌟
Humans seek freedom in their work, but often feel paralyzed. This stems from the interplay between control and integrity.
💡 Control: The Power to Influence
Stability & Predictability Efficiency & Flexibility
🔍 Integrity: Honesty & Authenticity
Authenticity & Connection Longevity & Meaning
Finding balance can be challenging, as these forces sometimes clash. Embrace both control and integrity on your creative journey.
 
 

121 - My 4 Characters

Picture this, you’re having a stroke
The left side of your brain is turning off
You’re leaving the linear external world
Your identity is gone
Your ability to communicate is gone
All your past memories and your future aspirations, 3/4 of what defines you as a human being poof!
And for 8 years you navigate pure bliss, free of morality, judgement and the need to adapt to our environment
 
Let’s explore that for a moment
Sources:
My Stroke of Insight
https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_my_stroke_of_insight?language=en
Whole Brain Living by Jill Taylor Bolte
https://amzn.to/462la69

120 - The Art of Sensemaking

Some say we're spending about 82hrs per week consuming and collecting information. 
That's a staggering 69% of our waking hours.
So many great ideas, yet so much missed meaning.
So many really impactful moments I promised myself I would hold onto to be able to look back on, only to have it slip through my fingers.
Not because it was no longer relevant but because I just can’t recall what it was or where I stored it.
I desire to make sense of the world around me and find myself almost drowning it the magnitude of this venture.
 
Let’s explore the practice of sense making and personal knowledge management.
 

119 - Know Thyself

If the objective is to live your life by your design, then you should consider asking yourself this question:
Who do you want to be known as, and who do you know yourself to be?

118 - Telling a Great Story

As an artist, I think the biggest opportunity for you and for me is to learn how to tell our story.
To reveal who we really areThe experiences we've gone throughThe struggles that have defined usand the awareness, or confusion that's brought.
The seeds of doubt that have settled inThe influences that directed our focus, the deeper restlessness that continues to go unresolvedAnd the parallels between what's true and what's been manufactured.
This is far from easy work though.
 

117 - What’s true for you?

You say you're open, but you're really not.
You're excited to share, but won't dare get caught.
You've made discoveries, but stick with the familiar.
what's true for you is not always aligned with your actions.
As creatives, the opportunity for you is to lean in and put yourselves, your thoughts and your work out there for more people to interact with.
This is the second mapping the mindstream.
Today I want to talk about truth and having your ideas challenged.