MiloMc

I don’t know about you, but I tend to hold myself to high standards, and often fall short of them. I want to practice positive habits every day and am pleased when I manage it for a reasonable stretch. But not accepting that I am human, and flawed, and will inevitably fall short of my own ideals – that’s perfectionism, and it’s counter-productive to happiness. Read the full text version here: http://www.clearmindedcreative.com/perfectionism-is-not-an-end-of-level-boss/

My guest today is illustrator Gilliom Werner Claessens, who has a few thoughts on where I'm going wrong with my recently launched Patreon campaign, including the fact that I will be limiting these podcasts to patrons only. Gilliom also has some interesting info about what we can expect from their recent $15m round of funding, and we discuss the difficulty of attracting those elusive 1000 true fans. Check out Gilliom's (aka Monsieur Bandit's) Daily Doodles: https://plus.google.com/u/0/s/monsieur%20bandit's%20daily%20doodles My Patreon campaign which you can still support: http://www.patreon.com/milomc And Matthew Bogart, also on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/matthewbogart

Today's podcast WAS exclusive to patrons but is now public because my Patreon campaign was cancelled. At the moment that is a *very* exclusive club with only 7 of you lovely people signed up. Will I reach my goal of $50 by the end of the month? Have I gone about this all wrong? Does anyone care? All these questions will be raised during this podcast, but possibly not answered.

As my literary guinea pig experiment for Canongate Books draws to a close, the days begin to merge into one thanks to the addition of alcohol. But I have an excuse, as alcohol is mentioned by Edward Slingerland as one possible path to 'wu-wei' and 'de' when considering the perspective of Zhuangzi, our final philosopher (and a Daoist). p.s. if you're in the US, you can tune into my interview with Gregory Berg at Radio Enso tonight (Monday, June 23rd) at 6 p.m. Pacific/9 Eastern: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/radioenso/2014/06/24/radio-enso-131-with-milo-mclaughlin-of-clear-minded-creative Support this podcast at Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/milomc

In the penultimate podcast about applying ancient Chinese philosophy to modern life (via Edward Slingerland's book Trying Not to Try) I report back on my attempts to be free of "artificial" desires on Day 3 and then how I cultivated my moral sprouts on Day 4. Please support this podcast and my other creative work at Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/milomc

On Day 3 of my experiment I turn to the Daodejing (or Tao Te Ching), also known as 'The Laozi' after 'The Old Master' who it is attributed to. The book is apparently the 2nd most translated in history, after the Christian Bible. It is also believed to have been a big influence on the 1960s counterculture movement with its message of 'undoing' and going back to nature. After an unfortunate incident caused by my Confucian activities on day 2, I try to come up with a couple of gentle ways of applying its teachings. Support this podcast on Patreon and get extra episodes: http://www.patreon.com/milomc

Yesterday was Day 2 of my literary guinea pig experiment for Canongate Books. This podcast was recorded in two sittings, hence a rather obvious edit in the middle. On Day 2 I tried to take on some of the lessons found in the Analects of Confucius, as explained by Edward Slingerland, which got me doing yoga and running again after a long break. Relevant article: some practices I've found helpful in lieu of the prescriptive religious rituals of Confucius' time: http://www.clearmindedcreative.com/8-daily-habits-that-will-help-you-refresh-your-mindset/ Please help support this podcast by pledging a small amount at Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/milomc (Note: all episodes this week will be available to everyone publicly - from July onwards most will be exclusive to patrons).

I begin my week of being a 'Literary Guinea Pig' for Canongate Books by getting to grips with the tricky concept of 'Trying Not to Try', a paradox that even Chinese philosophers throughout the centuries have not quite managed to solve. Tomorrow I begin my attempts to apply the Confucion approach of developing 'Wu Wei' and 'De'. More info at Canongate's blog: http://www.canongate.tv/discover/nudge-your-world-trying-not-to-try/ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's TED talk on the concept of 'Flow': http://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_on_flow Support this podcast and my work by becoming a patron (and get extra episodes): http://www.patreon.com/miloc

My guest post for Fred Egg Comics: http://fredeggcomics.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/how-i-stupidly-squelched-my-dream-of.html David's comic Dump: http://fredeggcomics.bigcartel.com/

In a mind-bending Marvel-style micro-podcast crossover episode, I'm guesting on Michael Nobbs' One Thing Today Podcast and he's guesting on the Clear-Minded Chronicles (yes, it's the same conversation but with two different intros!) You can find Michael at Sustainably Creative: http://www.sustainablycreative.com/ Please support this podcast (and get bonus episodes) by becoming a Patron! http://www.patreon.com/milomc Here's Adam and Joe's footie song: https://soundcloud.com/adam-buxton/the-footie-song-world-cup-edition Photo courtesy of Fabian Kruse http://www.friendlyanarchist.com/pieces-of-oslo/

Announcing a new plan for these podcasts and asking for your support on Patreon.com Please check out my Patreon page and consider signing up (or at the very least you can watch my introductory video): http://www.patreon.com/milomc

This episode isn't about being a sycophant - instead I talk about the problems with a platform called Flattr which is aimed to help creators earn micro-payments online. My profile at Flattr.com: https://flattr.com/profile/milomc for info (but please don't Flattr me - I've got a better offer coming soon!)

A frustrating day, but sometimes you've got to deal with the trickier little things if you want to make progress. The blog post I mention by Seth Godin: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/06/the-number-1-reason-to-focus.html

Finally, I share my thoughts on WWDC and why software development could be a great creative outlet? Wormydrawing app created by an 8 year old: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/wormy-drawing/id882326367?mt=8 Interview I did with Wormydrawing creator's dad about Scottish music and technology: http://www.list.co.uk/article/46616-scottish-musicians-experimenting-with-technology/ John Saddington on why you might want to become a software developer: http://john.do/swift/#more-47479 2014 WWDC Keynote: http://www.apple.com/apple-events/june-2014/ Daring Fireball: http://daringfireball.net/ Accidental Tech Podcast: http://atp.fm/

There are a lot of ideas and experiences to digest after any two-day conference and Glasgow's Small is Beautiful was no exception. One thing that has come out of it is a sense that I'm not the only one who struggles with the ups and downs of self-employment, as proven by the RSA and Etsy's report: http://www.thersa.org/action-research-centre/enterprise-and-design/enterprise/reports/salvation-in-a-start-up

Just checking in to say hi, on my way back from the Small is Beautiful conference in Glasgow - full update to follow soon!

How I am on the edge of my seat about Apple's WWDC keynote today, as I was last night at the cinema watching Tom Cruise's latest blockbuster (don't worry, no spoilers). Oh - and some advice on face to face meetings for freelancers. Wired on where to watch WWDC live (at 6pm UK time, 10am PST) http://www.wired.com/2014/06/where-to-watch-wwdc-keynote/

Some kind of stable routine, order and simplicity are essential for freelancers. But I sometimes find that whilst I enjoy my independence I can end up rather isolated if I don't also schedule in some kind of socialising. Can you relate?

Rounding up my month of #ApproximatelyOneThingaDayinMay podcasts, and responding to some feedback I missed during the last week. Michael's latest podcast inviting you to join the online conversation: http://www.sustainablycreative.com/ott-720/ Julian's impressive output on Tumblr this month: http://juliansummerhayes.tumblr.com/archive

I take a break from (co-)working to sit in the sun and talk about oversharing.

Due to pressing work commitments I've come to the extremely difficult decision that I won't be able to make it to Alive in Berlin. I'm very sad to miss such an amazing event and not to see some good friends who are travelling from far and wide to be there. #gutted Picture by Gemma Correll: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154191784175191&set=a.10150105593560191.397670.24698995190&type=1

As I struggle with a difficult decision, I find some more interesting perspectives on saying no and why it can be a good thing. My guest post on running a small business for the Small is Beautiful blog: http://smallisb.com/blog/superhero-syndrome/ Gary Dunstan's excellent podcast on how saying no is actually saying yes to what's important: https://soundcloud.com/gary-dunstan/20110725-150549 Creative People Say No - a fascinating article on Medium by Kevin Ashton: https://medium.com/thoughts-on-creativity/bad7c34842a2 Tommy's interview on Clear-Minded Creative: http://www.clearmindedcreative.com/water-of-life-interview-with-rob-st-john-and-tommy-perman/ Feedback from Jessica and Margaret on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clearmindedcreative/posts/698013553577798

I respond to feedback on previous podcasts which leads to a wide-ranging monologue on what it really means to be an introvert, the difficulty of making decisions when you're not at your best, and some great advice on why it's ok to say no and how to go about it. Kimberley's comment on freelance teaching on the blog: http://www.clearmindedcreative.com/clear-minded-chronicles-week-3-laying-the-tracks-for-more-enjoyable-work/#comment-6348 Margaret and Jessica's comments on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clearmindedcreative/posts/695076520538168 Sarah Peck's excellent post on saying no: http://itstartswith.com/2014/05/no/ My interview with Sarah for the Alive in Berlin blog: http://aliveinberlin.com/blog/alive-speakers-spotlight-sarah-peck-on-motion-emotion-and-connection/

Responding to a couple of comments left by listeners over at Clear-Minded Creative in relation the differences between being ill if you have a day job and if you're self-employed/freelancing. You can read the comments here: http://www.clearmindedcreative.com/clear-minded-chronicles-week-2-balancing-work-play-and-health/#comments

On travelling in style (unexpectedly), and the subtle difference between serendipity and synchronicity. Clara's fantastic sketchnote of yesterday's episode: http://instagram.com/p/oSzX0Jqmo2/

On the third of my daily podcasts from the back garden in Birmingham, I ponder my lifelong goal to make a living doing something I really enjoy - and wonder why I won't allow myself to achieve it. Sketchnote by Clara: http://instagram.com/p/oSzX0Jqmo2/

If like me, you feel pretty overwhelmed right now, how can you create some space for yourself during June to 'get back on track' (yes, still with the train metaphors).

Finding myself in a back garden in Birmingham, I ponder a question raised by the book Creativity, Inc (by Ed Catmull of Pixar). http://www.creativityincbook.com/

Okay, it may just be a mild man-flu, but having a cold and having to work anyway is another reminder of how being a freelancer means less separation between work life and home life. In the 2nd #blastfromthepast this week can hear another of my old songs, which is rather relevant to how I'm feeling today: https://soundcloud.com/milomclaughlin/the-sickie-song

Dammit, I've got a cold, making today's podcast a reluctant recording session. Through a stuffed-up nose I talk about the negative effects of boozing with pals and how hard it can be to change the socialising habits of a lifetime.

The podcast reaches double figures today, and I celebrate another significant date with my first guest, Mr Douglas Anderson. We talk about the song we created together which is all about the famous TV detective Columbo and why his encouragement was needed for it to happen, plus his new audiobook. Columbo & Coffee: https://soundcloud.com/milomclaughlin/columbo-and-coffee-by-douglas-anderson-and-friends Dougie's audiobook, What to Talk About When There's Nothing to Talk About: https://soundcloud.com/mr-douglas-anderson/what-to-talk-about-when-theres An excellent article on the blog Shatner's Toupee on why 70's Columbo outshines the 80's version: http://shatnerstoupee.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/columbo-butterflies-in-shades-of-grey.html Dougie's interview on Clear-Minded Creative: http://www.clearmindedcreative.com/clearminded-creative-types-broadcaster-writer-douglas-anderson/

Today I talk about how tricky I've found it to get back into the fiction-writing mindset, and share some writing tips from a recent interview I did with Glaswegian author Anne Donovan: http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2014/05/08/anne-donovan-interview-the-way-a-story-forms-itself-always-seems-mysterious/ The main message I took from her was that there's no wrong or right way to go about your creative work so that's the theme of today's podcast.

As a solo freelancer working from home it can be easy to become isolated. Today I talk a little bit about how making time for friends is essential even if you're overloaded with work, and try to explain the Eurovision Song Contest. A legendary BBC Producer tries to direct the cameras during the Eurovision Song Contest: http://youtu.be/XTgCLfYdRo4 Ireland's (fictional) Eurovision entry from Father Ted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzYzVMcgWhg

Maybe there are too many artists, or too many bloggers, or podcasters or guitarists. What's the point? With reference to Julia Cameron and Julian Summerhayes. https://www.facebook.com/juliacameronlive/posts/730369580332332 https://soundcloud.com/julian-summerhayes/the-continued-importance-of

I've been doing mindfulness meditation for over a year now and I find it beneficial to my health and creativity - but how does it compare to David Lynch's preferred method of transcendental meditation and where do The Beatles fit into it all? More info: Headspace: http://www.getsomeheadspace.com/ My review of their Take Ten program: http://www.clearmindedcreative.com/recommended-headspace-take-ten-meditation-course/ My interview with Dr Elise Bialylew, founder of Mindful in May: http://www.clearmindedcreative.com/mindful-in-may/ Transcendental Meditation: http://uk.tm.org/home David Lynch on meditation and creativity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2UHLMVr4vg

As per the rules of #OneThingaDayinMay, I'm doing 5 podcasts a week rather than 7 to give both me and you a break! A quick round up the first week today and I also talk briefly about trying to get on top of my tasks. Gilliom's G+ page: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GilliomWernerClaessens/posts Support this podcast on Flattr: flattr.com/profile/milomc

Today's podcast was inspired by a great post by Hugh Howey: http://www.hughhowey.com/goals-vs-dreams/ You can hear an equally inspiring interview with him here: http://rockingselfpublishing.com/episode-35/ And if you are interested in self-publishing/fiction (and not easily offended) then check out the Self-Publishing Podcast: https://selfpublishingpodcast.com/podcasts/ and Fiction Unboxed Kickstarter (funding ends May 21 2014): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1027829739/fiction-unboxed-change-the-world-with-a-story Support this podcast on Flattr: flattr.com/profile/milomc

In this episode, a big thank you to everyone for the lovely feedback on yesterday's podcast, a few words about why letting people know you are behind can be helpful, and contemplating the 12 stages of burnout. Further reading: http://blog.pickcrew.com/how-to-bounce-back-after-burning-out/ Support this podcast on Flattr: flattr.com/profile/milomc

A very personal podcast today, about my tendency to fluctuate between hyper-enthusiastic and closed-off, negative phases in my life, and how that hasn't helped when it comes to establishing a regular creative practice. Support this podcast on Flattr: flattr.com/profile/milomc Links: https://www.facebook.com/clearmindedcreative http://www.mountainshores.net/ http://www.margaretpinard.com/ http://www.mind.org.uk/ http://www.samh.org.uk/

Getting ‘back on the horse' after you let a creative practice (or any positive habit) slip is one of the hardest things to do -especially if your failed attempt plays out publicly. After the unfortunate demise of my seemingly bullet-proof plan to post on this blog once a week throughout 2014, I wrote an angry, sweary post using the Day One app's publish feature (not ‘one day' as I mumble in the podcast) that complained I was bored of blogging. (I'd only advise reading that if you are comfortable with a man at the end of his tether dropping the F bomb with alarming regularity.) But what better way to return to the fray than with another challenge that involves the risk of public embarrassment? This time I'm taking a leaf out of my friend Michael‘s book, or should I say I am shamelessly copying his One Thing Today Podcast, of which he's recorded an impressive 699 in 3 years. Listen to the Clear-Minded Chronicles Micro-Podcast #1 for more info and if you want to get new episodes, you can follow me on SoundCloud, or you can find the usual social media, RSS and email links on the About Page at http://www.clearmindedcreative.com