Productive Creativity
How to be creative, productively.
Whether aware of it or not, most people who are creatively inclined are also perfectionists. As such, creatives are constantly being judged by the harshest critic they know, themselves. That expression: “You are your own worst critic,” is by my estimation one of the truest statements that has ever been made. That all being said, I've listed 7 methods by which I can always keep my creative productivity up and my melodramatic breakdowns to a minimum.
1. Schedule creative time.
Don’t be afraid to use some left brain skills to unleash the potential of your right brain. If you find that your life is feeling generally disorganized or you feel like you have no time to accomplish your personal creative goals, then perhaps it’s time to start scheduling your days a bit more precisely. Schedule time for creative activities and don’t sacrifice that time for social, familial, or work events. I’m not suggesting that if an imperative obligation comes up you completely ignore it. What I am suggesting is that you treat your creative time as a scheduled daily obligation that is just as imperative and therefore holds an importance that you will have to weigh when extraneous circumstances arise. Learn to say, “no” to the impromptu bar invite, or late night work call. Have a hard time saying “no?” Then disconnect from all tech. Too addicted to disconnect? Then you have bigger issues this article won’t be able to help you with.
2. Admit that the timing will never be “right.”
The time to “create” won’t present itself outright. You have to make that time happen.You can plan and plot as much as you want, but that doesn’t mean that life will stop and you’ll have the perfectly scheduled creative window needed to successfully complete your creative endeavors every single time. Understand this phrase: “the time will never be right, so always be ready.” There is no such thing as the “right time.” This means that first and foremost you have to have something to write on and something to write with at all times. Use your skin and a blade if you have to (no, don’t really do that) but always be prepared to write when inspiration strikes. This goes for everyone — It doesn’t matter if you’re a writer, an artist, a musician, a designer, developer, or a dancer… we all need to be prepared at every moment to jot down notes on thoughts that come to us. Additionally, there will always be valid reasons as to why now “isn’t the right time;” You’re not prepared, you have no experience, you’re scared, you’re busy, someone has already done this, etc… Get over it! If everyone thought like that, nothing would ever get done. Stop making excuses and go, go, GO!
3. Stop comparing yourself.
Whether we are comparing ourselves to someone else, or a picturesque image in our head — we’re wrong on both counts. Comparison is an invitation to limitation and the mortal enemy of genius. You might argue that by comparing yourself you’re just being aware, or informed. I’d argue that that is a waste of energy. Sure, companies compare themselves to their competition all the time, and I’m sure it helps them earn more revenue here and there, but it limits your ability to be something revolutionary. When you compare, you look left and right, maybe even up and down, but you don’t look sideways, cockeyed, inways and snozberries. So at best, you make an upgraded copy of work that someone else has already explored.
4. Ask others to fill in the gaps.
If you decide you want to compare yourself anyway, well — then at least be smart about it. Rather than struggle to replicate the formula someone else has discovered ask them to collaborate with you on a new formula. Or ask them to mix their formula into what you’re currently doing. If they don’t seem interested, then you have two choices: Either place value on their work and pay them (most will gladly collaborate if you pay them) or see point three and STOP COMPARING YOURSELF.
5. Make lists. (Like this one!)
Seriously, do it. Lists have solved my writers block more times then I can count. They don’t even have to be detailed lists… just enough to jog your memory or inspire you; but definitely make lists! I don’t even know where to begin to describe their irreplaceable value, so suffice it to say that they help you work through otherwise frustrating tasks. The next time you have trouble getting motivated make a list of the reasons why you’re not motivated, then go through each point and watch yourself resolve each issue faster than ever before. There is something about breaking down a problem, or goal into a list that makes things way more approachable and increases your turnaround time.
6. Finish what you start.
So, you’re part way through a project and its feeling shaky. You’re pretty sure that what you’re making is complete crap, and you wish you could have the last six hours of your life back. Well, guess what? You can’t! You cannot regain those last six hours. So rather then scrap everything you’ve just done and be left with nothing to show for it, finish it. It is much easier to fix something that is broken then start on something new all over again. Besides that, the process that you’ll follow to fix whatever isn’t working in your current project will help you grow and avoid making similar mistakes in the future.
7. Humble yourself.
Remember that you are not the first to make this journey, nor are you the last. In other-words, chill out. Believe me, I know that you feel like you’re on the cusp of greatness, and to be quite frank— you most likely are, but you’re not the only great person that ever was nor are you the only great person that will ever be. Come down off the pedestal and stop putting so much pressure on yourself. I firmly believe that the pressure we put on ourselves to be “genius” or even just “accomplished” is one of our most damning human traits. It prevents us from taking steps because we’d rather be leaping. Trust that those that you see as “great” were once where you are, and that as they are now you will someday be.
