Building an environment you’re comfortable working in is important to the creative process but waiting for perfection is procrastination.

This week’s episode of The Portfolio Life was inspired by my messy office. Are artists inherently messy people? Can clutter and creativity co-exist? Or is our mess keeping us from creating our best work?

As Steven Pressfield says:

The hospital room may be spotless and sterile but birth itself will always take place amid chaos, pain, and blood.

I agree. And in this episode, Andy and I talk about the behind-the-scenes of the creative process and why it always involves making things amidst chaos.

Listen to the podcast

To listen to the show, click the player below. (If you’re reading this via email, click here).

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You can also listen at iTunes or on Stitcher.

Takeaways from the show

Here are some takeaways from the show:

• The perfect work environment will never come.
• Creativity is always a process of pulling order out of chaos, even in your workspace.
• Most people who are trying to create get caught up in the chaos. But there is a difference between order amidst chaos and chaos amidst chaos.
• As a creative, your responsibility is to share the art with us, not the mess.

Resources mentioned in the show

• Out of Print literary t-shirt company
• Do the Work by Steven Pressfield (affiliate link)
• Freedom App to turn off the internet for a time

I hope you enjoyed this week's episode. If you know someone who would benefit from it, feel free to download and share. We'd also appreciate it if you'd leave a review on iTunes.

[specialbox]Special announcement: I'm giving away a limited number of copies of my upcoming book, The Art of Work (you just pay shipping). In addition to the book, you'll also get some exclusive bonuses. I'd love for you to get a copy and tell your friends about it, too. Get your copy today![/specialbox]

What keeps you from creating art in your mess? Share in the comments.