Hi! Welcome to the 4 CreativeWheels newsletter — your weekly dose of insights that help you intentionally understand and apply creativity at its core.

Week #47 is here! I loved and appreciated your comments on Week #46’s issue. I have to thank my high school teacher (hope she reads this) for pushing me to be a good writer, no matter the topic. Her words helped me learn how to turn an unfamiliar (or boring) topic into a piece that can benefit everyone. All in all, I loved hearing your appreciative and encouraging words. Talking about words, I’ve had this subject since November 8th, 2025. So, . . .

In this week’s issue, we explore the importance of words in creativity. We discuss how and why they are essential blocks.

This piece explores how words function as the fundamental, high-leverage assets driving every stage of the creative process. Drawing on Robin Williams’ iconic role in Dead Poets Society alongside the mechanics of framing reality (from Jalen Brunson’s sports commentary to Steve Jobs’s iPod launch), we examine how micro-shifts in our internal vocabulary dictate our ability to build and finish things. By applying "constant intentionality" and "ruthless selection" to the phrases we take for granted, you’ll see how swapping out a single misaligned word can fundamentally reframe your relationship with your craft and make life better. Wording our way to progress.

Without further ado…

Let’s start the ride!

“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” This quote expresses something we often take lightly. And that is the power of words. Words are one of the greatest instruments we possess. They are the smallest, most influential blocks of creativity. Understanding this helps you become more creative. It is the beginning of opening up possibilities, from your craft to your life.

The quote is from my favorite scene in Dead Poets Society. In this scene, John Keating, played by the late great Robin Williams, was challenging the common neglectful view of poetry. He highlighted the importance of poetry in life. Then, in an O Captain my Captain way, using a Walt Whitman poem, he proceeded to inspire his students to live the best life they can. Though I love the scene, in it, words are slightly confined in the literary realm. Words can inspire, comfort, stir up all sorts of emotions. They color life. And that’s true.

Yet, I’ve found that words are more critical than that. It became more apparent to me a few years ago. There is a cliché principle that has helped and helps people. However, I could not extract the help from the principle. I tried and failed to get it. It was not until I found that the issue was in one simple word. And to find the solution, I needed to change that single word. The action reshaped the way I create.

First, let’s explore a simple fact. Words make up language. Animals do communicate, in one way or another. We just can’t understand them. What I find fascinating in how humans (hopefully there are no bots here) communicate is the sheer simple and ingenious structure we’ve built for our communication through words. They can be short or long. But with a string of sounds and letters, we are able to give life to an idea, subject, or object in our minds. And with a string of words, we can describe the most simple and complex tasks, events, and stories. These things make up most of our world.

We have built our world through words. And we have found ways to transform words into different configurations. The words you’re reading now are one of the possible configurations of words. Words can be spoken, written, printed, and typed. I would add signs in sign languages as another configuration of words. The different configurations have distinct textures, variations, and nuances to them. I can type, “I love Lydia.” But it would not be the same as saying it to the person. The same words create different realities depending on how they're delivered. However, no matter the configuration, humans have been able to preserve a consistent thread. This nurtures the existence of language. And language influences our thoughts.

Ask anyone who has let their toes caress the water of self-improvement, and they will sing to you, “Self-talk matters!” Language shapes our thoughts in multiple ways. One article can’t fully explain every way it does so.

Let’s take the word “but” as an example. Two propositions can be and mean the same thing. Nonetheless, if you place them in different positions with “but” in between them, that changes the tone and meaning of the expressed thought.

Let me borrow your imagination. “Jalen Brunson is a great player, but he is short” and “Jalen Brunson is short, but he is a great player.” With the first sentence, I used language to paint a picture of inadequacy about Jalen Brunson (typical ESPN). You would think of Jalen Brunson as a great player who is limited by his height. On the other hand, with the second sentence, I used language to paint a picture of triumph about Jalen Brunson (Go NY Knicks). You would think of Jalen Brunson as a great player who is not limited by his height. In fact, in the second variation, Jalen Brunson is a great player in spite of his height.

Just like language is composed of words, most thoughts are composed and mainly formed through words. And, for better or for worse, thoughts affect actions. Thoughts and actions create behaviors. And behaviors impact our lifestyles.

Moreover, our lifestyles and thoughts influence ideas we produce. At their core, ideas are derived from thoughts. You cannot create anything with nothing in your mind. You have a thought, and you pay attention to it. Then you notice that there is potential in the thought. You might not have everything clear, but you have something. The “something” leads you to take action (hopefully). You go from a picture and idea in your mind to putting it into reality. And our thoughts influence our perspective. The way you see things crafts what you believe about reality. What you believe about reality sets guidelines for what is possible for you and what you see as possible for you. And it all starts with words.

This goes into the creative process. After preparation and incubation, the creative process can be structured with 3 stages: ideation, execution, and completion. Ideation starts with thoughts and ideas. Execution is fueled by actions. This is where the hard labor exists. There are forms of creativity that begin in sensation, imagery, movement, or intuition before they're translated into words. A composer might hear a melody before naming it. A painter may respond first to color or form. Even as an abstract artist paints, though some do so based on emotions, words can still be at play.

Words may not always be the original source. They might not describe exactly how and why they moved this or that way. But in the process, their mind formed thoughts which influenced the feelings that later led them in painting. As for most processes, this stage is fueled by actions, backed by words. Last but not least, the completion step is formed through decisions. The decisions are made in our minds through thoughts. And you guessed it, those thoughts are composed of words. Words influence every stage of creativity.

Now, you might think and ask, “If it’s so, writers are the most creative of all then?” Well, fortunately, no. One sad misconception is that to use words and benefit from their power and advantages, you have to be a great writer. Or you have to be so in tune with the literary field. That is not true. Writing does help, surely. Still, you don’t have to be a “writer” to find ways to utilize your words better. You use what you have, and you already have what it takes.

The simple secret, that is not so much of a secret, is constant intentionality and ruthless selection. In constant intentionality, you think about the words you use. You strive to understand what they mean. The catch is not to limit yourself in what you know. You have to go deeper and wider. What does the word mean in different contexts? How and why does the word influence your understanding of the context and situation? And how does that correlate to your view of the world?

When it comes to ruthless selection, you focus on where you want to reach and what words would lead you there. You see how words can be a vehicle to clarity and even transformation. That does not necessarily mean that you have to change everything. The aim is to select, maintain, and even foster what will move you forward. You can ask yourself, which word has the same meaning but is distinct? Why would the new word(s) help your perspective? And what is the newfound layer the word(s) brought?

Let me borrow your imagination again. You probably have heard this phrase, “Trust the process.” It’s a good phrase, a good statement to utter. Many of the greats have said it many times that it has become cliché. And as they say, it’s cliché because it’s true. So, the majority of creatives, entrepreneurs, creators, just anyone in pursuit of something, have embraced that “Trust the process.” It has become a mantra for some. As for me, it had a different effect. I have not been a fan of the phrase. And the sole reason lay in the first word: trust.

I do not have the best relationship with “trust.” Even though I’ve grown to be better with the word “trust,” it lingers as a difficulty, especially in areas with the most uncertainty. As you might have guessed, the problem started with my fellow human beings. Based on societal standards, some people I trusted should have been worthy of my trust. I trusted them and opened up. And the result was a long period where it was hard for me to trust people. We all have experienced this to some extent (if you haven’t, I’m happy for you).

That experience also affected my relationship with “trust” when it comes to the future. I’m a Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Funny enough, this sequence of words creates, in some people, a certain image and assumptions about me. And that still fits the point. One of the most sung Christian mottos is to “trust God.” You have to “trust” that everything that happens is for your good.

And then you look at your life. Another reality sets in. Then, you doubt. And doubt is that troublesome cousin to “trust.” You do not have to be Christian to have experienced this. Whatever you believe, you “trust” something or someone. And that “trust” shapes your life experience.

So, whenever I would hear “Trust the process,” I would agree but subconsciously reject the idea. I would admit that it is true. But when it comes to applying the message, I struggled. The message was not the problem, just one word. Now, what most people would do, including myself at times, is to stop there. “Okay, this is it, and it is what it is.” However, I chose to be creative with it. With some introspection and reflection, I asked myself those questions above.

I understood what the word meant in different contexts. In the phrase, “trust” is used more as an encouragement to stay calm, focused, and not worry. Whatever is meant to happen will happen. It’s for your good. You just need to stay serene and, as my Gen Z people say, “Locked in.” Nevertheless, in my personal and influential contexts, it meant dealing with betrayal and pain, handling the discomfort of uncertainty, and believing in a change that simply does not come.

That single word influenced my understanding of the initial context. Because of that, I could not reap the purpose and core benefits of the phrase. And that correlated to my view of the world because of my past experiences. Until I fully embrace what the word meant in different contexts, alter how and why the word influenced my understanding of “Trust the process,” and how it correlates to my view of the world, I will remain in the same place. I’m not there yet. It’s a work in progress. But I could not stay stuck. There is nothing less creative than not believing in possibility.

After I had my constant intentionality checked, I could move to the ruthless selection. I still wanted to have the benefits of “Trust the process.” To arrive at that point, I had to create or find the alternative. I asked which word had the same meaning but was distinct, why the new word(s) would help my perspective, and what the newfound layer the word(s) brought. So, I chose to select the word “cherish.”

Now that I found the better option to word my experience, I created a better way of handling the process. I opened up the door to be creative with the process. Using the “cherish” change, I began to approach and see my craft with love. I looked and look forward to writing. Yes, there are days that I do not want to write, but I always come back to it. I gain a calm sense whenever I think about writing. It is freeing and endearing. With this, I can be serene, focused, and of course, “Locked in.”

Moreover, with the “cherish” stance, I have imagined the process as something to take care of. Sometimes there are hard days. Things are not going your way. Still, as I cherish the process, I have to choose to show up. Love is a choice. Just like we choose to show love to our loved ones in difficult times by being present, I started showing love to the process. In cherishing the process, there was a place for devotion. And that makes it easier to be disciplined. Discipline helps in consistency. Consistency assists growth. And growth creates more space for impact and creativity.

All of it happened because of a word change. That is why words are the simplest and most crucial pieces in creativity. And this applies to everything. We’ve all seen it play out. You describe a problem differently, and suddenly you’re able to have another plan. You call out the specific change you want, and the right color is picked. You frame your product as, "1,000 songs in your pocket," and your customers are able to see its capabilities and see at once all the potential benefits of buying your product. You slap the words “Artificial Intelligence” to your product, and now investors want to anoint you with money. You can understand a problem better with words. You can create a solution better with words. And you can imagine better with words.

Every creative breakthrough begins with wording differently and better. Reality is the space where creativity operates. And it thrives with words. You can choose to use them for good. This requires constant intentionality and ruthless selection. Again, as Mr. John Keating said, “No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” So, word your work, mind, and life creatively.

Here are two (or more) creative works that you’ll not regret checking out:

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Thank you so much for reading! 

As always, feel free to reply to this email & share your thoughts, stories, and any experience related to this topic. I’d love to hear them!  

C ya next Week! 

Embracing Creativity™,

Richard M.

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