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Published on:

27th Dec 2023

Creativity comes from limits

It's Wednesday and it's time for some wit and wisdom.

This week's wise words come from Jon Stewart; the comedian best known for his work on The Daily Show.

Stewart and I don't have much in common, but we do share one belief on where good content comes from.


jon stewart

During a 2010 interview with Fresh Air with Terry Gross, he said:

You'd be incredibly surprised at how regimented our day is and just how the infrastructure of the show is very much mechanized.
It you know, we come in and it's not people always think the Daily Show you guys probably just sit around and make jokes and we've instituted to be able to sort of wean through all this material and synthesize it and try and come up with things to do.
We have a very kind of strict day that we have to adhere to.
And by doing that, that allows us to process everything and gives us the freedom to sort of improvise.
I'm a real believer in that creativity comes from limits, not freedom.
Freedom, I think you don't know what to do with yourself, but when you have a structure, then you can improvise off it and feel confident enough to kind of come back to that.

Or as I see it, the horizon is the motivator.

Knowing a summit is near helps you do what's necessary to get there.

What do you think?

Tell me in the comments at jamesbrowntv.substack.com or email me at jamesbrowntv@gmail.com.

You can also leave me a message at 585-484-0339.



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About the Podcast

The Daily Note with James A. Brown
Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. 5 days a week, 90 seconds a day, on-air and online from sea to shining sea.
The Daily Note is a daily commentary podcast that finds deeper meaning in everyday moments. Host James A. Brown explores how our world really works through thoughtful observation and authentic storytelling.

Each short-form episode starts with something specific James noticed while walking downtown, a conversation overheard in a coffee shop, or a small detail that revealed something larger about modern life. These aren't political hot takes or partisan commentary. The Daily Note offers genuine reflection and systems thinking for busy professionals.
This daily podcast serves listeners who want intelligent analysis without the noise. Perfect for commuters, coffee breaks, and anyone seeking thoughtful perspective on current events, workplace dynamics, and American culture.

The Daily Note delivers smart commentary, personal storytelling, and practical insights in bite-sized episodes that respect your time and intelligence. New episodes Monday through Friday.

Commentary for people who want to understand their world better, not feel better about what they already believe.

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