Have you ever spent a long time working on a creative project, only to realize the final product isn’t what you hoped it would be?

Or maybe you haven’t been doing much creative work at all lately. You sit down to work but progress is slow. You just don’t have the ideas or energy you used to have. You feel like you’re running dry.

You might have wondered: am I losing my touch?

The good news is you’re not losing your touch. The bad news is there is one key habit in your life that will have to change in order for you to reach your full potential when it comes to creative output.

There’s a very distinct reason your end result isn’t as good as it you hope for it to be.

There’s a reason you can’t create as quickly or prolifically as those around you and that reason is simple. It goes like this — you are what you “eat.”

You’ve heard this saying when it comes to food and the same is true when it comes to creativity. If you aren’t consuming plenty of great content, you won’t be producing much great content.

Like an athlete who can’t perform without the right nutrition, you can’t write, design, speak or produce without the right content to fuel you.

Have you ever stopped to think about what you “consume” in terms of media on a daily basis? What do you read? What do you watch? How much time to you spend aimlessly scrolling versus focused attention on something of value?

Intentional Consumption

If you want to write books, you should be reading books. If you want to be a web designer, you should be paying attention to what other web designers are doing.

If you want to be a photographer, you must consume great photography.

And if you’re consuming mostly junk, no wonder what you’re producing isn’t living up to its full potential — however, it doesn’t have to be this way.

The great news about the Internet today is there is no shortage of truly amazing art. No matter what medium you’re looking for, you can have access to it.

And in case you’re having a hard time stumbling across great content, I figured I’d share with you some of the truly remarkable stuff I’ve found.

Part of the reason I created this platform in the first place is because I want it to be a place where you always know you can find access to really quality content.

Notice how we include outbound links in every single article we write? So if you need something great to read today, look no further.

More from No Sidebar

• Minimalism: A Happier, More Productive Way to Live
• Why Creative People Aren’t Always Successful
• The Importance of Removing Mental Clutter

Even if you’re not in need of any creative inspiration at this moment, bookmark this article and save it for later. I’m going to share some of my favorites.

No Sidebar: At Work

As it turns out, simple is better — even in business. If you’re looking for simple tips and simple answers to complicated questions when it comes to design, check out these simple but profound tips at Crew.

If you work in the online space, chances are you’ve heard of Buffer. In addition to helping creatives keep their content schedules straight, they also provide daily, quality content about creating, analyzing and converting with social media.

And if you’re looking less for technical content and more insights on making ideas happen, you’ll definitely want to peruse some articles at 99u.

No Sidebar: At Home

It can be difficult to keep our home lives clutter-free, especially if you’re always busy or on the move, if you aren’t naturally organized, or if you — you know — have kids. If this resonates, check out this site which explores the craft of living simple.

In fact, if you struggle with organization, here’s another great resource to keep in mind. Learn to stay organized, efficient and happy with home organization for moms and professionals.

As if that wasn’t enough, check out this place which will show you homemaking with intention, beauty and mirth. Make your home a simple haven.

No Sidebar: In Your Soul

Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks we have in life is to improve ourselves. To help you on your journey, learn how to live your best life.

Or maybe you’re a writer and you’re looking for some regular inspiration to keep the creative juices flowing. There are few better than Jeff Goins, who writes on writing, ideas and making a difference.

And if you feel like you don’t tend to fit the mold, never fear. We haven’t forgotten about you. Check out this place for unconventional souls.

No matter what you do, make sure you’re living life on purpose.