Over the past few years, we’ve written about “flow,” that state in which we’re fully present and meeting the challenges of the moment with a calm, clear focus and full access to all our resources. We’ve also discussed how to attract more flow. What we’ve yet to do is point to someone who seems to live and work in a flow state regularly and what it might look like. Well, that’s about to change.
Meet Rick Rubin. Despite being one of the world’s most successful music producers in a career spanning over four decades, Rubin has kept a relatively low profile in the mainstream media. Selected in 2007 to Time magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World,” he seems content with his clients’ success not being attributed to his signature sound or anything of the like.
Fortunately, Rubin got the intuitive nudge to write a book about the creative process. “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” was published in January 2023. He has avoided speaking of himself in terms of expertise and claims he knows “next to nothing” about music. In a “60 Minutes” interview, Rubin said he can barely play an instrument and does not know how to operate any of the sound tech equipment filling his studio.
So, what does Rubin do? When he’s working, the answer appears to be “not much.” He’s often seen lying down, his eyes closed while his client artists perform. When pressed to explain what he does, Rubin says he listens carefully and has confidence in his opinions. It seems he has a knack for getting very quiet and not only listening but also staying relaxed and open enough to allow inspiration to flow through him for the benefit of the creative project. He also describes himself as a “reducer” rather than a producer, often recommending removing anything that doesn’t feel essential to a song.
In the “60 Minutes” interview, Rubin talked about the late Tom Petty sending him five new songs. They didn’t particularly move Rubin, but a few stray chords between two songs caught his attention. He felt most moved by those accidental chords and recommended that Petty develop a song from them. Petty took Rubin’s advice, and those distinctive chords became the opening phrase of one of Petty’s most successful songs, “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.”
Perhaps paradoxically, Rubin claims he doesn’t aim for commercial success but rather to help artists produce the best creations they can. He focuses on helping his clients tap into what is most genuine for them.
Some have described working with Rubin as a weird experience. However, as unorthodox as Rubin’s methods might seem, it’s pretty remarkable that the Jewish kid from Long Island who started Def Jam Recordings out of his New York University dorm room to promote hip-hop artists was also credited with turning around Johnny Cash’s career.
So, as busy professionals, what can we learn from someone like Rubin, who has devoted his life to creating art? For starters, he points out that we constantly engage in creativity, whether consciously or unconsciously. Every day, we make choices that define our experiences and expressions.
With that in mind, here are a few of Rubin’s thoughts from “The Creative Act: A Way of Being.”
On the Beginner’s Mind
“Beginner’s mind is starting from a pure childlike state of not knowing. Living in the moment with as few fixed beliefs as possible. Seeing things for what they are as presented. Tuning into what will enliven us in the moment rather than what we think will work. And making our decisions accordingly. Any preconceived ideas and accepted conventions limit what’s possible.”
In this context, Rubin notes how animals and young children do not have difficulty making a decision, as they act out of innate instinct rather than learned behavior. He suggests we would often benefit from approaching situations with that same level of openness.
If that rings true to you, what areas of your work or life might be enhanced if you adopted more of a childlike or beginner’s mind?
On Inspiration
“Most of what we see in the world holds the potential to inspire astonishment if looked at from a less jaded perspective. Train yourself to see the awe behind the obvious. Look at the world from this vantage point as often as possible. Submerge yourself.”
Also, “Ride the wave as long as it can be ridden. If you are fortunate enough to experience the strike of inspiration, take full advantage of the access. … When flowing, keep going.”
Inspiration is one of life’s most exhilarating experiences. Rubin’s guidance to “see the awe behind the obvious” to initiate inspiration points to another benefit of experiencing life with a greater sense of wonder. And when we are lucky enough to catch a wave of inspiration, Rubin encourages us to ride it to the end.
Which aspects of your life might you reframe to invite greater richness of inspiration?
On the Abundant Mindset
“In the abundant mindset, the river never runs dry. … If we live in a mindset of scarcity, we hoard great ideas. … Each mindset invokes a universal rule: Whatever we concentrate on, we get.”
Also, “The recognition of abundance fills us with hope that our brightest ideas still await us and our greatest work is yet to come. We are able to live in an energized state of creative momentum, free to make things, let them go, make the next thing, and let it go.”
Rubin is clearly describing abundance in terms of “flow.” While the initial mindset (abundance versus scarcity) might be the equivalent of our hands on the faucet, Rubin is also saying we need to keep sharing the ideas we attracted or created if we wish to keep attracting a greater abundance of ideas. Otherwise, we’ve blocked the flow, leading to stagnation.
Have you noticed how ideas flow or stagnate along those lines?
On Openness
“The heart of open-mindedness is curiosity. Curiosity doesn’t take sides or insist on a single way of doing things. It explores all perspectives. Always open to new ways, always seeking out original insights.”
For some of us, Rubin’s observation that curiosity doesn’t take sides or insist on its way can strike close to home. Veterinary practices enjoy the collective intelligence of the entire team. If one person must have all the good ideas, a large portion of the potential wisdom of the group as a whole is cut out.
How might you and your team be better served by taking a more curious and open approach when dealing with a challenging situation?
Conclusion
Many of Rubin’s perspectives apply as much to relationships and problem-solving as to artistic creation. His methods are universal, such as staying relaxed and making space for inspiration to flow through, and engaging in life with deep curiosity and childlike wonder. For Rubin, they seem to have led to a deeper sense of peace and calm in addition to external success. Sounds like a nice combination!
BOOKING RUBIN
According to the All American Speakers Bureau, hiring Rick Rubin to talk at your event will cost from $100,000 to $200,000.