Hack Your Creativity with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

Hack Your Creativity!
Denise Jacobs • Adobe Max
16 October 2018 • Los Angeles, CA

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@denisejacobs
@adobemax #adobemax
#byeinnercritic

@denisejacobs #byeinnercritic / @adobemax #adobemax
What blocks you from doing your best work?

“Your negative self-talk is the
No.1 barrier to success.”
– Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx

Makes you feel awful

Shows up
diﬀerent ways
http://brenebrown.com/2014/04/08/daring-interview-series-meet-gavin-aung/

Imagine…

Imagine…
Photo: Denise Jacobs

(small-minded, etc)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/falequin/8443342362/

We self-censor
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyaubryphotography/2443089993/

We commit
“ideacide”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevygee/3265941065/

More outcomes
Photo: Dense Jacobs

Get you back on track

SXSW Interactive, 2009

Mean voices in my head
https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurabl/3322988460/

I’m looking for someone to
write a book on how to
troubleshoot CSS code.
I could write
that book.

One year later…

Why creativity?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/assbach/267598910/

What does Flow feel like?
L E T ’ S D O T H I S :
https://www.pexels.com/photo/fuck-yeah-6660/

Creativity = Power

The inner critic blocks creativity
http://www.flickr.com/photos/richardwinchell/130344669/

Creative Flow = No Inner Critic
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ableman/543078380/

Where does the Inner Critic come from?

Fears about
ourselves
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tom_lin/3193080175/

+ Negative things we’ve heard
https://www.flickr.com/photos/acerriteno/3484093813/

Our Inner Critic can be
brutal

We are highly susceptible to criticism
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jayvando707/6845951768/

Negativity Bias + Fear Conditioning
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeremyiah/3042291231/

Goes into implicit memory
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APSM_V14_D495_Side_view_of_the_brain_and_spinal_cord.jpg

Automatic
responses/habits
http://www.subliminal-online.tv/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/iceberg-english2-900x445.jpg

We have (mental)
Power Tools
http://www.flickr.com/photos/techshop/2832912619/

Neuroplasticity
https://www.flickr.com/photos/arselectronica/13994747444

Your brain on habitual thoughts

A ention & Focus
https://www.flickr.com/photos/77654185@N07/8428225936

Shift Focus
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mazakar/2777932633/

Mindfulness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eldave/3065425105/

Self-Compassion
https://www.flickr.com/photos/samanthasteele/3983046067/

Self-Compassion Template
C R E AT I V E D O S E :

Recognize your Inner Critical Voice
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12392252@N03/5698444246/

Your Inner Critical Voice(s)
I’m not ___________________________ enough.
I can’t _________________ because I’m not as________________ as others.
I shouldn’t __________________ because I haven’t ________________.
I ____________________ because my ideas ____________________.
If I ____________________, then people will ____________________.

Snowball Fight!

Inner Critic v. Inner Evaluator

Step into your
creative power
https://pixabay.com/en/colors-bravery-brave-accomplish-2203720/

Reclaim Your Brain
Stop Self-Sabotage
Own Your Expertise
Amplify Others’ Ideas
http://www.flickr.com/photos/boklm/486676439/
4 Steps

Me and my BFF at camp
Photo: Deloria Jacobs

Drew a mermaid
Artwork by Denise Jacobs

“It looks like a frog.”

I wish I’d been all
like…

But instead, this
was me inside

( “Maybe I’m not as good at drawing as
I thought I was.” )

Creativity Denial

Judgement Dread

Hack
Conﬁrmation Bias
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbaker/70751294/

Swipe File of Support

Live be er through criticism

Curious and Open

Reprogram your mind

With your hands!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPPaJrhluS4

Swipe Left

My basketball team

Where’s Denise?

( “Everyone will judge me for not being
an awesome basketball player.” )

Stop hiding in  
plain sight
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenzzz_14/7031233649/

Know Your Uniqueness Advantage

High Self-Criticism

Your thoughts aren’t true
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emayoh/4589881812/

Tune in to tune out
https://www.flickr.com/photos/themaxsons/5306572767

Practice selective
hearing
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alt_design_summit/6724420849/

Inner Critic Shrinky Dinks

Inner Critic = Self-talk gone awry
https://www.pexels.com/photo/thinking-environment-depressed-depression-54377/

Self-talk Reboot
Creative Dose:

Be your own coach of greatness
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Keeping_the_ball_in_their_court,_Marine_coaches_teach_kids_sports,_values_121103-M-
OB827-069.jpg

Talk yourself through it

Graduated from university

“I’d like to be a writer.”

“Do you know how hard it is to get
published?”

My Dad was no joke

( “Ge ing published is hard, so I
should just forget about being a
writer.” )

Comparison Syndrome

Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
- U N K N O W N
“You cannot compare your insides to someone else’s
outsides.”

Opportunity Model

Study and learn

Deﬁciency Anxieties

Feel like you’re enough

Celebrate your successes

“I’m Awesome!”

Your brain on…(praise!)
https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2018/01/21/severe-childhood-trauma-alter-developing-brain-
create-lifetime-risk/1039104001/

Be & share your brilliance
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcymet/3564484236/

Share Your Expertise

Everyone has an
inner critic

Over-talking  
mutes others
https://www.flickr.com/photos/b-love/7459418186

Talk+Talk vs. Talk+Listen

Bring out the
brilliance of others

Do a Mash-Up
E X E R C I S E :

Increased trust = Increased creativity
h ps://www.ﬂickr.com/photos/joi/2941559903

By standing up to my Inner Critic
https://www.flickr.com/photos/quintanomedia/32956945963

Became a designer

Became a strong player

Became an author (twice!)

All brought me to the work I love
Photos: Pat Jarrett

This is about YOU
http://www.flickr.com/photos/siutou_amy/2306794554/

What will you get?

Be a stronger contributor
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanpalmero/4278466639/

A stronger collaborator
Photo: DeniseJacobs

A stronger leader

Leave a legacy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bohman/174718774/

Continuous Improvement
http://static.ipaustralia.com.au/store3/10/78/1078354.1.high.jpg

Oh, the irony!

The book is
available at the
bookstore!

Didn’t believe it possible
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahalie/276780530/

An expanded
toolbox
https://www.pexels.com/photo/construction-work-carpenter-tools-3327/

Get past your blocks
https://www.flickr.com/photos/86979666@N00/7829098984/

Now you can make
magic

Have IMPACT
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mplemmon/2745435974/

The potential for
greatness
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onegiantleap/4124211492/

Hold yourself
back?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/34413226423/

Or be fully magniﬁcent?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelbalint/8634008094/

The power is in
your hands (and
brains!)

SWIPE LEFT!!
https://thenounproject.com/term/swipe-left/44406/

Body Level One
Body Level Two
Body Level Three
Body Level Four
Body Level Five
@denisejacobs #creativityrevolution / @cmxhub #cmxsummit
Or, Text
Creativity
to 66866
Want the slides? Go to
DeniseSlides.com

Title Text
• Body Level One
• Body Level Two
• Body Level Three
• Body Level Four
• Body Level Five
Get in Touch!
DeniseJacobs.com
DeniseJacobs.com/subscribe
denise@denisejacobs.com
Twitter.com/denisejacobs
Instagram.com/denisejacobs
Facebook.com/denisejacobsdotcom
InnerCriticBook.com

Take the SESSION SURVEY on the MAX mobile app
…for your chance to WIN one
of these e-books from  
Adobe Press
Every survey you submit enters your 
name to win the daily grand prize:
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Tablet

Tuesday, October 16 
7:30–10:30pm 
Banc of California Stadium
 
If creativity were a party, it would be the
MAX Bash. Tons of food and drink, eye candy
and entertainment, and live music from
headliner Beck!
MAX Bash
Important info about Banc of California Stadium:
▪ Everyone will go through security checks
▪ Jackets are OK
▪ Small bag or purse OK if no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
▪ All camera bags must comply with bag restrictions
▪ NO tripods, long lenses, or selfie sticks allowed
▪ Exceptions made for medically necessary items after
inspection and approval

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