Articles and Essays by Todd Henry

Creating

Why We Get Stuck: Definition, Motivation, & Systems

“Stuckness” is, in many cases, a choice. You may not come up with the optimal solution, but if you stay diligent and commit to progress, you can always re-direct to a better place. However, wallowing in stagnancy is a shortcut to misery.

April 21, 2014

Creating

Pause and Think

In busy times, the thing we most often squeeze out of our lives is the single most essential component to effectiveness: thought. Isn’t it odd that when there is more on the line, we stumble into the bad habit of “shooting from the hip” rather than giving full and measured consideration to our responsibilities?

April 18, 2014

Creating

Daily Rituals of Brilliant Creators

Last week I read Mason Curry’s new book Daily Rituals. There can also be a lot to learn by observing how ritual and routine forge channels for effective work, especially in the lives of especially productive artists and entrepreneurs.

March 31, 2014

Creating

How I Use Scrivener To Organize My Book Writing

Having published seven books, I field a lot of questions from writers about how I manage my book projects, what kinds of software I use, and what my schedule looks like. Here’s a brief summary of my process.

March 28, 2014

Inspiration

3 Things: SHOW YOUR WORK Edition

No matter what your line of work, if you want to have impact it’s critical that you understand how to get your ideas out into the wide world.

March 26, 2014

Creating

Creative Work and the Art of Giving Gifts

As you consider the gift that you have to offer – the expression that is uniquely yours, and yours alone to give away – consider this: the impact of a gift given away in freedom is vast, while a gift spent on the giver quickly fades.

March 12, 2014

Creating

One Small Commitment Can Radically Change Your Productivity

No one writes a book, launches a business, or changes an organization’s culture. All of these things are the result of daily commitment to steady, measured progress.

January 24, 2014

Creating

What Will You Start This Year?

In delaying your start you are missing out on the learning and development that only happens in the fray. You can dance around the edges for years, but at some point you must get into the game if you want to understand what it’s really like.

January 6, 2014

Creating

Stuck? Remember That Progress Begets Progress.

In truth, it’s often the case that we don’t even want progress, because means more uncertainty, which is often the reason we’re stalled to begin with.

December 16, 2013

Creating

Brilliance Demands Bravery – from 2013

Todd Henry’s 2013 talk to Creative Mornings about his book Die Empty.

November 26, 2013

Creating

Build Buffers To Focus Your Creative Energy

Feeling a bit stressed? Try building a few buffers into your life to help you better focus your creative energy.

November 4, 2013

Creating

Which Productivity Profile Are You?

In my book Die Empty, I examine the common places where bright, sharp, talented people eventually get stuck in their life and career.

September 30, 2013

Creating

The Four Stages Of Influence

Whatever your work, it’s probably your ambition to see it connect with and influence others in some way. Great work only reaches its fruition when it finds a receptive audience and ultimately creates change.

September 11, 2013