The professor of creativity Juan Munoz published his newsletter for 162 weeks consecutively. This is how his research paid off. |

What if school got learning wrong? Find out how University Creativity Professor Juan Munoz is making more impression as a creative by beginning by becoming a better learner.

In the beginning of school, the creativity and innovation professor Juan Munoz told his students they could turn in their homework any way they wanted.

"It could be written in pencil, written in your own handwriting or typed by a computer. It may be a video or you can make it a podcast, are free to do what you wish to accomplish. If you'd prefer to share a message take a dive with your assignments, that's fine. It's not necessary to be constrained by a piece of sheet of paper, and Google Doc," he directed.

However, even with this liberty, his university students still produced identical PDFs that had the same formatting every single time.

"I felt so upset," Juan remembers. "I considered this to be one of the easiest tasks on earth. How can they discover creativity if they are unable to complete this task?"

The pattern continued to develop, Juan wondered if there an issue of greater importance in play.

"Students have been programmed over a period of ten to 15 years of school. They've been taught that, no matter how great or excellent, you'll receive an unfavorable grade in the event that you break from the guidelines your teacher has given the students. It's a fear that's inherent in deviation from the normal path."

Juan could see the fact that internalized programming had a negative impact on creativity and he wanted to improve the way things were done.

Juan loved teaching, but was frustrated by the University rules. When he had free time, he read TechCrunch and various other business-oriented publications that gave him the idea to start an enterprise.

There was not a vibrant entrepreneurial environment in his home country, Costa Rica, so Juan was determined to assist in getting the ball rolling.

"I am a civil engineer with a degree, and I knew some people might ask, "What is this person's knowledge of business?' Therefore, the first step I took was to put all my thoughts down in a blog and shared them with. My creator journey began by sharing my ideas online and sharing the things I'm able to achieve."

Today, Juan teaches creativity, setting goals, entrepreneurship, and business on his learning platform, Epico Academia . He offers online courses, a library of free workshops, and a paid weekly newsletter via email to help individuals live more imaginative and exciting lives.

Here's how experimenting, taking unplanned paths, and continuously learning made it possible for Juan create a successful online company and gain access to an entrepreneurial approach that is holistic that's fulfilling and fun.

How do you provide information without making it feel like school

With his experience creating courses as a university professor, making content wasn't a challenge for Juan. It was just a matter of figuring out the most efficient approach to delivering that content.

"The greatest obstacle is getting the public to engage with the material we create," Juan shares.

"People purchase a course and only a handful will go through it. It feels like being in school. If nobody's compelled me to do it and I'm really attracted, my mind goes to the school environment. There's a teacher, there are classes, and classes are offered."

And Juan began to experiment with different methods to get his messages to his followers.

"What if I try the email-based course where you get a great emails every week throughout the year ? Perhaps TikTok-type content with thirty-second videos. Do I have the ability to create a course with tons of videos that are 30 seconds long? Maybe. I'll test it to see if it's effective."

"I enjoy the fact that it allows me to create content that is basically what I'd like, in the order I want. I can make courses that are just 100 30-second videos, and have people go through them."

One experiment that paid off was a Monday-focused email newsletter

In the spirit of experimentation, when Juan decided to try something new which was different from the norm and ended up putting together one of his top asset: The Monday newsletter .

When he first started his online business, Juan noticed a trend.

"Every Sunday night and early on Monday, everyone will share memes on how they hate Mondays," Juan says. "I thought, there's never going to not be the Monday. You can't escape it. The question is, why do you remain in a bind about this?"

"I started realizing these are people who contact me and tell me, 'I don't like my life, I don't like my job and I'd like to improve,' and there was the same pattern. I love marketing and branding, and I thought this could be an intriguing brand idea because it's easy to be a grumpy Monday. There's already a group specifically for this, and it's an enormous club. How do you accomplish the opposite?"

Juan started a newsletter all about the way he enjoyed Mondays, and he would share a tip, concept, or concept that could aid his readers to get the most out of their days.

"It attracted lots of people since people were unhappy with something in their life and I was talking about strategies to make their lives better. People were able to ask, 'Why you think I hate Monday?'"

Today, this experiment-turned-newsletter continues to grow through word-of-mouth referrals, and Juan still loves writing it every week.

In order to become a better writer be sure to get as much knowledge that you can on subjects you're interested in.

Not every idea comes together in the same way as the Monday newsletter or the Monday newsletter. Juan realized that the best way to clarify concepts for content and product ideas was to study again.

"I'm always mind blown about how fortunate we are to be a part of a community where we can be taught by anyone, and everyone could benefit from our lessons. It's amazing. If I'm into marbles I'll be able to find someone that's so much more into marbles that they'll show me something new. It could be that they're in Singapore or even in Singapore. I may have no idea who they are and yet I'll benefit from their writings."

For you to become a thriving creator now, you must learn as much as you can on your subjects of interest.

"I recommend that people consume anything they're interested in," Juan recommends. "Often you'll find free content on social media. And when you consume content, you realize, this really isn't that difficult. He's discussing marbles. There is no requirement to be the Ph.D. in a subject."

"There was a time when there were expert," Juan explains. "There were people that knew every aspect of a particular subject, but there was a small amount of information. There wasn't infinite information like we have today, and the information was kept in a place. There was a person who knew everything about it They were the experts. However, that's not an issue anymore."

"There are many individuals who know lots, and there are a lot of people that know a little and there's always someone who knows less than you. So you can make videos for them, and make a huge impact."

The more you get out there and learn, the more information you'll be able to give to those who are around you. If you're feeling stuck on what or how to teach Try switching your roles and being a student once more to revive your enthusiasm.

Imagine if you had created something to enjoy doing it?

One of the biggest lessons Juan learned in his entrepreneurial adventure was that there are numerous ways people can share their passions.

It shouldn't just be focused on achieving a specific outcome or financial goal, nor a followers count. Instead, find a balance between Telic goals and the Atelic.

"Telic goals are things with a certain result that can be measured. They are good goals to pursue for the purpose of making they. It is my opinion that people should approach creating with both types of goals in their minds," Juan shares.

"If you're actually helping other individuals, it doesn't matter whether you help one person or millions."

Furthermore, you can gain value from the fact that your work exists within the global community.

"If you send out a tweet, Instagram post  or video but no one sees the message, it's not gone. Somebody will find it. In addition, gaining likes on your post or helping others with your blog post are two distinct aspects. I like a variety of things I do not double tap. Just because nobody did double tap your tweet or liked your tweet doesn't mean it wasn't beneficial."

"Creating is a visceral thing. It's a feeling, it's sensitive, and it's sincere," Juan relates. "It's a picture of you and your thoughts, and putting that up for public display and letting no one engage with it is a travesty."

"But even if no one buys it, it's still worth it. It still taught you a lot. The knowledge you gained can be applied for your next consulting position or any. No one can ever take it from you. This is soul-bound."

To keep in touch with the things that matter most, Juan explains how important to keep in mind your roots and be proud of what you've accomplished so far.

"I recommend that creators keep journals, and reflect on what you're doing now through the eyes of yourself five years ago. Or 10 years ago or even 20 years ago. Think about what you'd consider your current work. Because past you would probably think it's great."

And lastly, Juan reminds creators that most important is getting the work there. The goal is not to make the highest number of sales, followers, or clients.

"I consider it arrogant assume people won't want the product you offer. You're making an assumption for another. Let them make the decision. If they're interested and want it, they'll get it. If they don't want it, they'll not. Just make it available to them. Get more blown away by the world around you, study the most you can and then make decisions that others will take their own decisions."

"Create your own thing, and then put it out there, Juan advises. "You do not know what is going to happen the next time."