The Brainy Business | Episode 461: Never Play It Safe – Embracing Constraints and Creativity with Chase Jarvis
In Episode 461 of The Brainy Business Podcast, host Melina Palmer delves into the intricacies of living a fulfilling life by exploring the principles of behavioral economics with renowned artist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Chase Jarvis. This engaging conversation centers around Chase's latest book, Never Play It Safe, which serves as a blueprint for harnessing innate human tools to achieve personal and professional success.
Guest Introduction: Chase Jarvis
Chase Jarvis is celebrated as one of the most influential photographers of the past two decades, having crafted campaigns for iconic brands like Apple and Nike. Beyond photography, Chase is an Emmy-nominated director, the author of Creative Calling, and the host of the Chase Jarvis Live podcast, boasting over 50 million downloads. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Creative Life, a company generating over $100 million in revenue before its acquisition. In this episode, Chase shares his journey and the foundational ideas behind his new book, Never Play It Safe.
Chase’s Journey and Inspiration for "Never Play It Safe"
Chase opens up about his early life, revealing a pivotal moment in second grade that shaped his path. “[...] I stumbled into my parents and my teacher talking. And my teacher essentially said, Chase is not really that creative. He's way better at sports than he is at art. [...] It took me another, you know, decade plus multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars in student debt, years off track of the life that I really wanted to be living, I figured it out, made some changes” (07:00).
This moment of being labeled "average" in creativity versus sports planted a seed of doubt, leading Chase to conform to societal expectations before eventually breaking free to pursue his true passions. His realization that personal fulfillment lies beyond societal prescriptions is a core theme of his book.
The Seven Essential Tools for a Good Life
Chase outlines seven innate tools that, when leveraged correctly, can transform one's life. These tools are:
- Attention
- Time
- Intuition
- Constraints
- Play
- Failure
- Practice
1. Attention
Chase emphasizes the power of directing one’s attention rather than seeking external validation. “[...] what if we could focus on what we really want?” (16:35). Instead of getting distracted by attention-grabbing technologies, honing in on meaningful pursuits can lead to greater fulfillment and effectiveness.
2. Time
Contrary to the common belief that life is fleeting, Chase suggests that embracing time as a resource rather than a limitation can enhance productivity and enjoyment. “[...] what if we could, by contrast, relax a little bit, explore, play, goof off. It's in that sort of play that we realize what we love” (31:19).
3. Intuition
Trusting one’s gut feelings is highlighted as a powerful tool. Chase argues that while rational thought is essential, intuition draws from a vast reservoir of subconscious information, providing insights that pure logic might miss. “Our intuition might be actually stronger and much more powerful” (16:35).
4. Constraints
Perhaps the most counterintuitive tool, constraints are portrayed not as limitations but as frameworks that foster creativity. “[...] constraints are actually some of the most freeing things” (31:19). By setting boundaries, individuals can channel their creativity more effectively, proving that limitations can enhance rather than stifle innovation.
5. Play
Chase reconnects with the natural human inclination towards play and creativity. He suggests that infusing play into daily tasks can transform mundane activities into enjoyable experiences. “[...] it's all about the attitude that we bring to that” (41:26).
6. Failure
Acknowledging failure as an essential component of success, Chase dispels the stigma around it. “Failure is a big tool” (40:17). He likens failure to the countless attempts a child makes before learning to walk, emphasizing that perseverance is key to mastering any skill.
7. Practice
Consistent practice is presented as the foundation for mastery. Chase advises setting up basic frameworks to cultivate desired habits and behaviors, enabling continuous personal and professional growth.
Embracing Constraints and Creativity
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the concept of constraints. Chase provides tangible examples, such as setting time limits on creative tasks to enhance focus and output. “[...] what can you do outside of all of those constraints or within them to move in the direction of your dreams?” (31:19). He illustrates how limitations can drive innovation, using the analogy of painting within specific parameters to spark creativity.
The Importance of Failure and Practice
Chase delves deeper into how failure and practice interconnect. He shares personal anecdotes, including the decision to rewrite his book to better align with his true self despite nearing completion. “[...] it's really about returning to yourself over and again. Each time stronger, more kind, gentle, wiser than the time before” (23:21). This perspective reinforces the idea that setbacks are merely steps towards achieving one’s true potential.
Practical Applications and Takeaways
Listeners are encouraged to apply these seven tools in their daily lives to cultivate a more intentional and fulfilling existence. Chase suggests practical exercises, such as practicing gratitude for everyday tasks like doing laundry to transform one’s attitude towards them. “[...] it's about applying that by choice to a lot of areas of our lives where we feel like we're victims or we feel like it's, it's difficult or challenging” (42:53).
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Melina Palmer summarizing the key insights from her conversation with Chase Jarvis. She reinforces the importance of not conforming to societal expectations and instead leveraging personal tools to craft a life aligned with one’s true desires. Melina encourages listeners to embrace constraints, view failure as a stepping stone, and prioritize time and attention towards what truly matters.
Chase Jarvis invites listeners to engage with his community across various platforms and highlights the transformative potential of Never Play It Safe.
Key Takeaways:
- Leverage Innate Tools: Utilize attention, time, intuition, constraints, play, failure, and practice to shape a fulfilling life.
- Embrace Constraints: View limitations as creative catalysts.
- Redefine Failure: Understand failure as a necessary part of growth.
- Practice Intentionally: Develop consistent habits that align with personal goals.
For those inspired to transform their lives, Never Play It Safe offers actionable strategies grounded in behavioral economics to help unlock one’s full potential.
Notable Quotes:
- Chase Jarvis at 07:00: “The world will have us believe a set of things about ourselves and will coach us in a direction that isn't necessarily always best for us or most aligned with our true self or our passions.”
- Chase Jarvis at 16:35: “The world's job has seen itself as sort of trying to get us to pay attention to other things or to not pay attention, to be distracted.”
- Chase Jarvis at 23:21: “It's really about returning to yourself over and again. Each time stronger, more kind, gentle, wiser than the time before.”
For more insights and resources from Melina Palmer and Chase Jarvis, visit thebrainybusiness.com and follow Melina on LinkedIn as the Brainy Biz.