The Guest
Allen Gannett is the founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a marketing insights platform whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE. He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes. He is the author of The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time. He is a contributor for FastCompany.com where he writes on the intersection of technology and human nature. Previously, he was a co-founder and General Partner of Acceleprise Ventures, the leading SaaS startup accelerator. He was also once a very pitiful runner-up on Wheel of Fortune.
The Episode
Our episode today is all about strengthening the creative muscle, ways to allow space for creativity, and how to handle fear in the face of creativity,
Allen shares his personal tips and strategies for developing creativity, the relationship of consumption to creativity, and how to surround yourself with doers.
Allen leaves listeners with the advice, “None of this stuff is crazy. All of this stuff takes determination, focus, and a willingness to make yourself uncomfortable.”
Topics Covered
- Discoveries about creativity
- How people can increase their levels of creativity
- Allen’s personal pursuits of creativity
- Getting started with a big creative idea
- Allen’s friends and how he met them
- How Allen fits creativity into his busy schedule
- Ways to encourage aha moments
- Creativity tips
- Evaluating brain dumping creativity lists
- Career advice relating to creativity
- Executing creative ideas
- Choosing the best collaborators
- Saying no to good ideas
- Thoughts for testing creative ideas
- Shutting out fear and thickening your skin
- The link between creativity and openness
Quotes from the Episode
“We like things that are novel enough to intrigue us and familiar enough to feel safe.”
“Creativity doesn’t just strike certain people. “
“Every single skill or talent is going to be hard in the beginning.”
“You are your master of your own destiny. That is a very authentic way to live.”
“You need to have that time carved out for big think things.”
“When you see yourself intentionally learning and getting better at something it gives you the reassurance that you learned how to learn. We under appreciate how good we are at learning and getting better at things.”
“You want to get things actually done. You need to get going and do it.”
Resources
"The Creative Curve: How to Develop the Right Idea, at the Right Time” by Allen Gannett
