What a failed Antarctic expedition teaches us about unlocking creativity
“I only write when I’m inspired. Fortunately, I’m inspired every day at 9 AM.”
When William Faulkner dropped this truth bomb, he wasn’t just being clever. He was attacking one of the most persistent myths in creative work – the idea that we need to wait for inspiration to strike before we can create something worthwhile.
I used to believe this myth too. I’d sit at my desk, staring at the blank screen, waiting for that magical moment when creativity would flow through me like electricity. Sometimes it worked. Most times, I just ended up scrolling through social media, convinced I wasn’t “feeling it” today.
But here’s what changed everything for me: the story of two Antarctic explorers who taught me more about creativity than any creativity book ever has.
In 1911, two teams raced to the South Pole. One team, led by Scott, decided to push hard on good weather days and rest when conditions were rough. The other team, led by Amundsen, committed to covering exactly three miles every single day, regardless of conditions.
Scott’s team never made it back. Amundsen’s team succeeded.
What does this have to do with being creative when you feel stuck?
Everything.
Because the same principle that got Amundsen’s team to the South Pole is exactly what unlocks consistent creative output – even when your mind feels as blank as a fresh Antarctic snowfall.
Let me show you how to build a system that forces out your best creative work, no matter how uninspired you feel.
The myth that keeps killing creativity
I’ve heard it countless times in creative circles: “I’m just not feeling inspired today.” This seemingly innocent statement reveals a dangerous belief that’s keeping too many talented people from doing their best work.
There’s a pervasive idea that creativity belongs to a special class of gifted individuals who can tap into some mystical well of inspiration whenever they need it. We picture these creative geniuses struck by lightning bolts of inspiration while the rest of us mere mortals wait for our turn to be chosen by the muse.
Science, experience, and countless examples throughout history tell us this is completely backward. The most prolific and impactful creative minds throughout history didn’t wait for inspiration – they worked for it. Mozart composed music daily, Picasso created art into his 90s, and Maya Angelou rented a hotel room to write in every day from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
These creators understood something fundamental about creativity: it’s not a gift that visits you; it’s a muscle you strengthen through consistent use. The more you show up, the stronger it gets. The longer you wait for inspiration, the harder it becomes to start.
Think of creativity like a faucet. When you first turn it on, the water might come out brown and sputtery. But if you let it run, eventually the clear water starts flowing. The same principle applies to your creative work – you need to clear out the rust before the good stuff starts flowing.
The tale of two approaches to impossible goals
The race to the South Pole between Scott and Amundsen wasn’t just an adventure story – it’s a master class in how to approach any challenging creative endeavor.
Scott’s team embodied what most of us do with our creative work. They waited for perfect conditions. When the Antarctic winds howled and the temperature plummeted, they stayed in their tents, preserving energy for better days. It seemed logical – why waste energy fighting against impossible conditions?
Amundsen’s team took a radically different approach. They committed to covering three miles every single day, regardless of conditions. Even on days when they could have gone further, they stuck to their three-mile rule, preserving energy for the inevitable tough days ahead.
The results speak volumes. Amundsen’s team reached the South Pole and returned safely. Scott’s team, waiting for ideal conditions that rarely came in the Antarctic, never made it back.
How to build your creative momentum
The physics of creativity isn’t that different from the physics of movement. Just like a heavy train requires enormous energy to start moving but becomes easier to keep going, your creative mind needs a strong initial push before it gains momentum.
I’ve found that the first 15 minutes are always the hardest. Whether I’m writing, designing, or solving a complex problem, those initial moments feel like pushing against a brick wall. But something almost magical happens if I push through this resistance – the wall starts to crumble, and ideas begin to flow.
What Amundsen understood about Antarctic exploration applies perfectly here: the distance covered matters less than the consistency of movement. In creative work, this means focusing less on producing masterpieces and more on maintaining forward motion.
Start small. Ridiculously small. If you’re a writer, commit to writing one paragraph. If you’re an artist, commit to drawing for five minutes. These seemingly insignificant commitments serve a crucial purpose – they get the train moving. Once you’re in motion, you’ll often find yourself wanting to continue.
Turn creativity into a daily practice
The beautiful irony about creativity is that it flows most freely within constraints. This is why Faulkner’s 9 AM inspiration wasn’t just a quip – it was a revelation about how creativity actually works.
Pick a time. Pick a place. Make them sacred. Your creative mind will learn to recognize these cues and respond accordingly. Just as Pavlov’s dogs learned to salivate at the sound of a bell, your creative mind can learn to activate when you sit at your designated workspace at your designated time.
You might be thinking, “That sounds too mechanical for creative work.” But consider this: Igor Stravinsky composed at his piano from 9 AM to 12:30 PM every day. Stephen King writes six pages every day. Maya Angelou rented a hotel room to write in, even though she paid for an apartment.
These creators understood that creativity doesn’t require perfect conditions – it requires consistent conditions. The routine itself becomes a creative trigger, bypassing the need for inspiration entirely.
When the system breaks down
Even with the best-laid plans, there will be days when your creative practice feels impossible. Your mind might be foggy, your energy depleted, or life’s demands might seem overwhelming. This is where most people abandon their practice – but it’s precisely where the Amundsen approach proves most valuable.
On these days, scale down your expectations but maintain the practice. If you usually write 1,000 words, write 100. If you usually practice music for an hour, practice for ten minutes. Just like Amundsen’s team trudging through three miles in a blizzard, the goal is to maintain momentum, not break records.
I’ve discovered that these “low-performance” days often yield surprising results. When you remove the pressure to create something brilliant, you sometimes stumble upon your most innovative ideas. It’s like your creative mind, freed from expectations, feels safe enough to experiment.
What matters most is that you keep the channel open. Every time you show up to your creative practice, you’re telling your mind that this matters, that creativity isn’t a fair-weather activity but a fundamental part of who you are.
Making it work in your world
The most powerful realization about creativity isn’t that you can force it out – it’s that you don’t need to force it out at all. Just like Amundsen’s steady march to the South Pole, creativity flows most naturally when you stop treating it as a special event and start treating it as a daily practice.
Start tomorrow. Pick a time. Pick a place. Commit to showing up for 15 minutes, no matter what. Don’t wait until conditions are perfect – they never will be. Don’t wait until you feel inspired – you might wait forever.
Instead, make like Faulkner and decide when you’ll be inspired. Make like Amundsen and commit to your three miles, whatever that means for your creative work. The inspiration you’re waiting for isn’t hiding in some distant moment – it’s waiting for you to show up consistently enough to find it.
And on those days when you feel completely stuck? That’s exactly when this approach proves most valuable. Because creativity isn’t about feeling ready – it’s about being ready when the feeling comes.
Take that first small step tomorrow. Your creative mind, like a loyal companion, will learn to walk beside you, ready to work whenever you are. After all, the best creativity isn’t forced out – it’s invited in through the door you open every single day.