Never Play It Safe

Daily Creative with Todd Henry

In this thought-provoking episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the concept of safety, its potential illusions, and how it impacts creativity.

Chase Jarvis (author of Never Play It Safe) shares his personal journey from a budding second-grade entrepreneur, whose creative ventures were effectively shut down by a well-meaning teacher, to becoming a globally celebrated commercial photographer, director, author, and founder of CreativeLive. He underscores the notion that the best experiences in life are often on the other side of our comfort zones and how societal norms and expectations can steer us away from our true paths.

Throughout the episode, we also reflect on the wisdom of 20th-century mystic Thomas Merton on the dangers of imitation and the value of staying true to oneself, even when misunderstood. Jarvis provides insights into the importance of intuition, attention, and constraints as vital elements of creativity that are frequently undermined by societal pressures.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Illusions of Safety: Perceived safety in stable jobs or predictable careers can often be more dangerous as it puts others in control of our lives.

2. Nature of Risk: Avoiding risk does not eliminate problems; it only changes the type of challenges we face and may lead to worse situations.

3. Intuition and Creativity: Our intuition, attention, and constraints are powerful tools we have been conditioned to ignore, yet they are essential for creative success.

4. Risk as a Portfolio: Taking risks isn't about recklessness; it’s about calculated decisions and balancing various aspects of life to ensure growth and innovation.

5. Individual Risk Tolerance: Everyone has a different tolerance for risk, and what feels risky to one might feel safe to another. It's crucial to celebrate small wins and respect individual journeys.

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