AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Creativity is elusive and difficult to define, often involving rearranging existing elements or generating new ideas.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Ideas and creativity can be likened to clouds; they change shape and can disappear if not captured in the moment.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The creative process resembles dreaming; it involves abstract images and feelings that may not make sense immediately but can be understood later.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Creativity is more about following feelings of excitement and curiosity rather than an intellectual process.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Children have a natural openness and lack of preconceived notions, which allows them to access creativity more easily than adults.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

As adults, we often impose rules and beliefs that can undermine the purity of the creative process, while children create without such constraints.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Creativity often involves a new combination of existing ideas presented in a novel way, rather than entirely new concepts.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The body provides significant signals about creativity, and understanding these signals is crucial for artists to navigate their creative process.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Being in tune with one's feelings and preferences is essential for artists, especially when faced with external feedback.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The creative process is about expressing one's unique perspective and departing from the conventional story that pleases others, regardless of external opinions or commercial pressures.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Creating a story to please someone else is more of a commercial endeavor than an artistic one.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The creative process can be visualized as a cloud, serving as a powerful anchor for inspiration and strategy formation.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

To generate new creative ideas, broadening one's vision or thinking is essential, as it allows for a wider range of possibilities.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The creative process involves both broadening and narrowing focus, depending on the stage of idea development.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Changing the aperture of perception is crucial for presenting something new that may already be known but not recognized.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Artists possess the superpower of accepting that they don't know everything, which opens them up to new possibilities.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

We often assume we know things, but many scientific beliefs could be discarded to create entirely new understandings.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

In science, significant discoveries often arise from chance or hard work, emphasizing the importance of time spent in the lab.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Breakthroughs in science may be based on incorrect assumptions, highlighting the need to question established beliefs.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The relationship between the creator and their work is the only aspect they can control, regardless of external feedback.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Using future projects as motivation can help artists finish their current work, allowing them to move on to new ideas.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The source of creativity is not only within us but also encompasses the organizing principles of everything in existence.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The physical world is constrained by the laws of physics, while imagination is unconstrained, allowing for limitless creativity.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Experiencing something unexpected, like seeing a whale, can break us out of our habitual perceptions and remind us of the world's mystery.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The beauty of nature and art often reveals how little we recognize the vastness of our surroundings and experiences.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The delight we feel from unexpected experiences may stem from recognizing our own perceptual limitations.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Artists often blend different genres and influences, showing that it's possible to appreciate a wide range of music and art, while the music we connect with during our teenage years becomes a part of our identity, as it's the first music we choose for ourselves, separate from our parents' or siblings' influences.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

When I engage in a project, I dedicate all of myself to it for that period, ensuring total focus without outside distractions, and I try not to think about it when I'm away from it.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I believe that to stew over a problem is not the way to solve it; instead, I hold the problems lightly and allow my subconscious to work on them while I'm disengaged.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

There's always a sense of anxiety when starting a new project because I know that whatever will happen is completely out of my control, but I show up ready for it to happen.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I think that joy, delight, and love are the ultimate reservoirs of energy, and while anger and sadness can also drive creativity, the relationship to music is rooted in love.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I rarely see the chaotic part of artists; they often show a serious side focused on their craft, which is not always obvious from their public persona.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

When something good is happening in the studio, I might check to ensure we're rolling, but I prefer to stay in the moment and not disrupt the flow.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Our lives are filled with storytelling, as we constantly create narratives to explain our experiences, often without realizing we're doing it.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Nature represents a truth that we can rely on, contrasting with the often misleading narratives we create about our experiences, and we have no idea what's going on; there's great power in knowing that. If you think you know, chances are you're being deceived because everything we know is made up.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Pro wrestling is closer to reality than anything else we can watch because we know it's made up and a performance. It's storytelling, and that's how everything is, except we think wrestling is fake and the world is real.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Consider the inverse all the time. The way we see colors is based on contrast; blue is only blue in relation to yellow. If we don't consider the other aspect, we miss the complete experience.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

In wrestling, anything is possible. We expect the unexpected, and it's a way to experience the energy of a sport without competition. Everyone works together to put on the best show, making it more like a ballet than a sporting event.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Wrestling maintains a playfulness where anything can happen, and it creates a feeling of energy without competition. It's one of the few things that allows me to relax and enjoy without overthinking.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The energy created in wrestling is honest in a world where nothing seems to be. We often make up stories to explain our limited data, and wrestling embodies that uncertainty.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

In some ways, wrestling is more honest because we start with the idea that it's fixed. In contrast, we go to other sports expecting them to be real, even though they might not be.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Wrestling is unique because it allows for real-time iteration; if someone gets hurt, the story has to change. This unpredictability keeps it alive and interesting, as something unexpected is always happening.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

There are places that don't change and places that change a lot. Walking on the same beach every day gives a sense of familiarity, but returning after a long time can reveal a completely different landscape, highlighting the nature of change.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I'm not attached to anything in the past; my focus is only on the present and the future.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Nostalgia doesn't exist in my mind; I never pine for the past.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The creative process involves phases: seed collecting, experimentation, crafting, and completion, each requiring different approaches and mindsets.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I always find myself in the seed collecting phase, constantly learning about things that interest me without deadlines.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Self-doubt is a check on yourself; it can be helpful or undermine you, but we all have it.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Listening to music I don't know keeps me surprised and engaged, which is essential for creativity.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I aim to create real moments in the studio that feel authentic, even if they don't sound perfect; it's about capturing something that really happened.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

When something works, it's easy to believe that's the only way to do it, but it's just one way that happened to work at that time.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The advice you receive from others is based on their experiences, which may not apply to your situation; it's hard enough to figure out what's right for ourselves.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I think it's important to remain open to the idea that there might be better ways to approach things, even if you've found success with a particular method.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The competitive nature of scientific prizes suppressed the idea of adult brain plasticity for years.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

There's plasticity throughout the lifespan, contrary to the belief that brain structure doesn't change after age 25.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

All fields are often controlled by a small group of people who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

As we age, we become more open to new ideas and perspectives, which can lead to greater creativity.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Many years were wasted due to the misunderstanding of brain plasticity, which has now been proven false.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Negative ionization therapy for sleep and mood is based on significant research, including work by Michael Terman.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The belief that certain wavelengths of light can treat medical conditions is not new; it's been supported by historical research.

AH

Andrew Huberman

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Acupuncture has been shown to have real effects on anti-inflammation and gut health, supported by recent scientific studies.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I suggested acupuncture to a friend with a severe back problem, and it healed almost instantaneously, despite his skepticism about its effectiveness.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Creativity is about being open to new ideas and experiences, and recognizing that inspiration can come from anywhere.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The universe supports creativity, and if we pay attention, we can find clues that guide our creative process.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The belief in the effectiveness of a treatment can significantly influence its actual outcomes.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

The belief that we can create something great increases the likelihood of actually doing so; harnessing belief is essential for creativity.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Everything we create is based on something we observe or experience, which allows us to see things in a new light.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Staying present in the work is crucial; how you feel is less important unless it distracts you from the creative process.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Meditation can take many forms, including mantra meditation and awareness meditation, both of which help quiet the mind.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

I learned to meditate at 14 and have practiced various forms, including TM and Tai Chi, throughout my life.

RR

Rick Rubin

01/16/23

@ Andrew Huberman

Meditation can be a powerful tool for healing and enhancing creativity, as it allows for deeper introspection and awareness.

Rick Rubin: How to Access Your Creativity

Takeaways