Welcome back to another special edition of The Writer Files called “The Writer’s Brain,” a guest series with neuroscientist Michael Grybko, and in this episode we’ll dig into the inextricable link between productivity and creativity, and the Catch-22 so many writers face as a result.
This all began when Michael and I started a conversation about why we need to rethink our definition of productivity.
As busyness, the cult of productivity, and multitasking seem to take over our lives, it’s easy to forget that the origins of the word productivity comes from the Latin, productivitas.
Translation: creative power.
Creativity — a topic Michael and I have discussed at length — is the beating heart of change, progress, and innovation, but our work-life scales are bending dangerously toward more busywork, distraction, inefficiency, and overall dissatisfaction.
Truly scaling creativity requires productivity, so a balance must be struck between the two. Writing is a great example of this push and pull in the human brain.
Luckily, research scientist Michael Grybko returned to the podcast to help me find some answers from the perspective of neuroscience.
If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer’s Brain you can find them all in the show notes, in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
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In Part One of this file Michael Grybko and I discuss:
How neuroscience views the complex interplay between productivity and creativity
Why writers often struggle to finish longer projects
The great irony of the “10 year overnight success”
How memory plays such a big part in productivity
Why so many writing instructors prescribe “life experience” for great writing
How always on, open concept workspaces can actually hinder both productivity and creativity
And the close study of musicians, artists, and the pitfalls of mapping creativity in the brain
The Show Notes:
‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part Two
The Best of 'The Writer's Brain' Part One: Creativity
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Two: Empathy
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Three: Storytelling
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Four: Writer’s Block
The Best of ‘The Writer’s Brain’ Part Five: Fake News
The Writer s Brain on Impostor Syndrome: Part One
Productivity vs. Creativity, the Content Creator’s Catch-22
Rethink Your Definition of Productivity to Squash Uninspired Filler
How to Outsmart Writer s Block with Neuroscience
Mapping Creativity in the Brain: New research sheds some light on the neuroscience of improvising – The Atlantic
This Is Your Brain on Writing
Kelton Reid on Twitter
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‘The Writer’s Brain’ on Productivity vs. Creativity: Part One | The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
