Clean Out Your Nib: Mastering the Art of Consistent Creativity

As a fountain pen nerd, I'm no stranger to the delicate art of coaxing a reluctant pen to write smoothly.

And if you haven't used a pen in a while, you'll have to flush out the nib, running warm water through it to clear away any accumulated gunk.

Ed Sheeran draws a parallel between this process and the creativity needed in songwriting. When first tapping into your creative abilities, things won't flow automatically. Sheeran suggests it's like turning on an old tap: "It's going to flow grim water out for a substantial amount of time."

In essence, quality demands time and effort.

Sheeran candidly admits that his early songwriting efforts were far from impressive. Undeterred, he persevered, gradually refining his skills until the "clean water" of creativity flowed freely, and his songs improved exponentially.

Creating authentic art is a journey, not a single event.

The notion of '10,000 hours'—popularised by Malcolm Gladwell in his 2008 bestseller, Outliers—captures the importance of time spent honing one's craft.

However, it's not just about the hours invested; it's about engaging in deliberate practice, as psychologist Anders Ericsson posits.

Deliberate practice is characterised by focused, goal-oriented efforts to improve specific aspects of one's skillset, coupled with continuous feedback and adjustments.

It's this mindful approach to practice that separates the merely good from the truly exceptional.

Remember, your creative wellspring runs deep. Keep refining your craft, and let the clear waters of inspiration flow freely.

Go flush your nib. Get the gunk out. Hone your craft and find your zone of genius.