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 incorrectly? Find out how University Creativity Professor Juan Munoz is making more impact as a creator by beginning by becoming a better learner.

The first day of class, creativity and innovation instructor Juan Munoz instructed his students that they were free to submit their homework any way they chose.

"It can be written on paper, written in your own handwriting, it can be typed on the computer, it can be a video, you can make it a podcast, are free to do what you wish to do. If you'd like to share a message dove with your homework it's okay. It's not necessary to be confined to a sheet of sheet of paper, and Google Doc," he instructed.

Even with that freedom, his university students still turned in identical PDFs with identical formatting each and every time.

"I was so angry," Juan remembers. "I believed this was one of the easiest tasks in the world. What are they doing to learn creativity if they can't complete this task?"

As the pattern continued, Juan wondered if there was a bigger issue that was at work.

"Students were taught programming through ten or 15 years of school. The school has taught them that no matter how great or excellent, you'll receive a worse grade in the event that you break from the model your teacher taught them to follow. It's a fear that's inherent in deviation from the normal path."

Juan realized that the internalized program was hurting creativity, and he wanted to change the way things were done.

Juan was a teacher who loved his job, however he felt constricted by regulations at the university. When he had free time, he read TechCrunch and various other business-oriented publications, which gave him an idea for a business.

In the beginning, there was not a vibrant entrepreneurial environment in his home country, Costa Rica, so Juan determined to get the ball rolling.

"I hold a civil engineering degree. I was aware that some people might ask, "What is this person's knowledge of business?' So the first action I took was that I recorded all of my ideas on a blog, and then shared them with. My creator journey began by putting my thoughts on the internet as well as sharing my ideas about what I can accomplish."

Today, Juan teaches creativity, goal-setting, entrepreneurship, and business via his online education platform called Epico Academia . It offers online courses and a library of free workshops, and a paid weekly newsletter via email to help people live more creative and epic lives.

Learn how experimentation, taking unexpected paths, and continually learning has helped Juan create a successful online business and unlock an entrepreneurial approach that is holistic that is rewarding and enjoyable.

How to provide content with a style that doesn't feel like a school

Based on his previous experience in creating courses for university professors, creating content was not a problem for Juan. It was just a matter of figuring out the most effective way to deliver that information.

"The biggest friction is getting people to watch the content we make," Juan shares.

"People will buy a course but only a few are able to complete it. It's almost like school. If nobody's compelled me to take part and I'm attracted, my mind goes back to school mode. There's a teacher, there are classes, and there are classes."

So Juan was experimenting with new methods to get his messages to his followers.

"What if I try the electronic course in which you'll receive an awesome emails every week throughout the year ? or TikTok-style content, only 30-second videos. Could I make an online course that has a lot of 30-second videos? Perhaps. Let me try it out to see if it's effective."

"I enjoy the fact that it allows me to make basically any content I'd like, in the order I want. I can make an entire course consisting of 100, 30-second videos that let students go through them."

One of the experiments that proved successful was a pro-Monday email newsletter

When it comes to experimenting, Juan experimented with something that went against the norm and found himself creating one of his top resources: The Monday newsletter .

When he first started the online company, Juan noticed a trend.

"Every Sunday night, and on early on Monday, everyone would make memes of how they dread Mondays." Juan says. "I thought, there's always going to be one Monday. You can't escape it. Why are you hung up on this?"

"I realized that they are people who come to me and say"I'm not happy with my life, I don't love my job, I want to be better I noticed the same trend. I am a huge fan of branding and marketing I also thought that this could be an intriguing brand idea because it's easy to get bored on Mondays. There's already a club to help you with that and it's a big club. How do you accomplish something different?"

Juan created a weekly newsletter about the way he enjoyed Mondays, and he would share a tip, concept, or thought that can help his readers make the most out of their week.

"It was a popular topic with a lot of people because people were unhappy with something within their lives, and I had been discussing ways to make their life more pleasant. People were able to ask"Why do I hate Monday?'"

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

To be a better creator, learn as much information that you can on the topics you're interested in

Not every idea comes together in the same way like the Monday newspaper And Juan discovered that the most effective method to gain clarity about the content or product idea was to become a student again.

"I'm constantly amazed by the privilege to be a part of a community where we can learn from anyone and anyone is able to take lessons from us. It's amazing. If I'm into marbles, I can discover someone more into marbles that they'll help me learn new things. They can be in Singapore and I may have no idea who they are, but I can benefit from their writings."

For you to become a thriving creator in the near future, take as many classes as you can about subjects you are interested in.

"I urge people to consume everything they're interested about," Juan recommends. "Often you can even find free content on social media. If you do consume the information, you see that this is not that deep. This guy is discussing marbles. You don't have to have the Ph.D. in a subject."

"There was a time when there were expert," Juan explains. "There were those who knew every aspect of a particular subject, but there was only a limited amount of information. It wasn't as extensive as that we are able to access today. And this information was hidden somewhere. It was clear that there was one person who had all the information, and they were the experts. However, that's not any longer the case."

"There are many people that know a lot, and there are many who know a little and there's always someone with less knowledge than you. You can create content for them and still have a big impact."

Simply put, the greater the opportunities you have to go out and learn, the more knowledge you'll have to impart to others around you. If you're stuck on what or how to teach, try switching roles and being a student once more to reignite your inspiration.

What if you created things to enjoy making them?

One of the most important lesson Juan has learned from his business journey is that there are many different ways people can express their passions.

The process of creating shouldn't only be focused on achieving a specific outcome or financial goal, nor a followers count. Instead, find a balance between Telic and Atelic goals.

"Telic goals" are those that have a very fixed result that can be measured. These goals are great to pursue for the purpose of accomplishing these. The way to think about creating with both types of goals in mind," Juan shares.

"If you're actually helping other people, then it doesn't matter if it's one person or millions."

Additionally, there's value to your work simply existing in the world.

"If you post Tweet, Instagram post  or video, and nobody is able to see it, it's still there. Someone can find it eventually. Also, getting likes on your post or helping others with your blog post are two completely different aspects. I enjoy a lot of things that I don't double-tap. Even if no one duplicate-tapped or liked your tweet does not mean that it isn't valuable."

"Creating is a visceral thing. It's emotion, it's vulnerable, it's very sincere," Juan relates. "It's an image of who you are and your thoughts, and putting that out there and having no one engage with it is just awful."

"But regardless of whether nobody purchases it, it's still worth it. It still taught you a lot. It can be used in consulting or your next job or anywhere. No one can ever take it from you. It's the soul's bond."

In order to stay connected with the things that matter most, Juan explains how important it is to remember your roots and to celebrate all you've accomplished in the past.

"I suggest that artists keep journals and think about the work you're currently doing through the eyes of yourself five years ago. Or 10 years ago or even twenty years ago. Ask yourself what you would be thinking about the work you're doing today. Because past you would probably think it's great."

And lastly, Juan reminds creators that the main thing to remember is getting the work there. It isn't about getting the highest number of sales, followers or customers.

"I find it arrogant to believe that nobody will want your service. It's arrogant because you're making an assumption for another. Allow them to make the choice. If they want it then they'll purchase it. If they don't, they'll never. Just make it available to them. Get more blown away by the world around you, study the most you can and create decisions that others will take their own decisions."

"Create your own thing, and then put your work out there," Juan tells us. "You do not know what is going to occur in the future."