I’ve got a lot goin’ on.
Yesterday, I asked myself… Exactly, how many projects am I working on? And how much progress have I made on each one?
The problem with working on multiple projects/goals (or even just one) is that you have the potential of putting too much focus on the end result. Finishing that project or goal.
Being over-preoccupied with finishing
When I have the end in mind, at the end of the day I ask myself… Did I work on the WRONG thing today?
I ask myself paranoid questions like that, because I want to get to the end so bad. I want to be finished. Accomplished. So, I over-analyze my day. I tell myself…
I should have spent less time online. I should have woken up earlier. Or stayed up late. BUT, I have no energy… So, I should have worked out. Taken my vitamins. Or have eaten more “energy foods”… THEN, I would be further along.
Sadly, this is all a trap. A creativity killer.
I’m not working on the wrong thing. In fact, let’s just take the word WRONG right out of the picture. Because once you tell yourself you’ve been working on the so-called wrong thing, then you’ve just labeled yourself a failure.
I’m not a failure and neither are you.
There’s no need to over-analyze what you choose to do for the day. Just DO SOMETHING.
Any decision will do. The better you become at starting something, anything… the more progress you’ll make. There really is no right or wrong choice.
In fact, thinking that you have the power to make the right choice that will produce the right result is just your egos way of tricking you into believing that creativity is a science, or a math problem… so what matters is being right.
It’s not about right or wrong.
It’s about keeping the creative flow flowin’.
At the risk of sounding melodramatic, being creative can feel somewhat like a battle. You’re fighting to create something from nothing. And with all battles, what matters is not about having the perfect moves. It’s not about planning ahead or making the perfect choice. It’s about flow and readiness.
And if there’s anyone that knows about winning battles, it’s Bruce Lee…
“there’s no exact path or method, but instead a perceptive, pliable, choice-less awareness. It lives from moment to moment.”
“A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard.” ~ Bruce Lee
Keep the creative flow going by being ready and willing to begin without too much hesitation.
Keep the creative flow going by worrying less about each individual choice, and more about enduring until the end.
What about you? Do you ever worry about making the “right choice” creatively? How do you keep the creative flow going?
yep…i worry about this at least once per day..usually right before bedtime. i, too, feel like i should’ve stayed up longer (getting up earlier is so not an option!) or tweeted one less tweet or something along those lines. but you’re right – as long as i keep the flow flowin’..it’s all good!
it all adds up when you do :)
Denise, I love the line “There’s no need to over-analyze what you choose to do for the day. Just DO SOMETHING.”
Between tasks that need my attention at work, blogging/writing, cleaning up after 2 small children all evening, and trying to squeeze in exercise, I feel scattered more times than not.
As Confusius said, “He who chases two rabbits catches neither”. I’m trying to concentrate on one rabbit at at time!
Wow, I can SO relate! I have 2 little ones, myself.
One rabbit at a time – I’m with ya! :)
;)
An awesome post, particularly for entrepreneurs + ryzing artists ;)
And … omg, LOVE Bruce Lee. What an inspiration (his words of wisdom here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_R0W1TcB1s&list=PL000A7B6F1F0CDF6C)
Anyway, I’d like to add something interesting:
“The better you become at starting something, anything… ”
I agree, and live by this. I get enthusiastic and jump in, and now I’m relatively masterful at many, many art forms.
At the same time, I’ve met people (and been one myself for a time), who basically habitually ‘give up’ or ‘dont finish’ things, and if that keeps up too long, you may die with a legacy of ‘nothing’. (not that that’s a bad thing, but I feel most people DO want to finish things.)
There’s a line that goes something like:
“One acted on, finished, and shared-with-the-world idea is better than a thousand half-done ones.”
I don’t know if that’s true, but I know that most people I meet would like both in their lives.
For myself, I habitually ‘finish’ things and let them out into the world in a polished form. I like my ideas coming to fruition, I enjoy them unfolding easily and quickly. I LOVE speed.
I’m on earth for a certain time, and I’d like it to be packed with a fulfilling amount of successful, ‘completed’ creations.
Now this doesn’t mean Rush. This doesn’t mean Judge Your Tasks. And it doesn’t mean Measure Every Inch Of Progress.
It just means…
Starting is great, and finishing has an awesome place in my life too ;)
(I even apply this to blog commenting!)
Yes! – finish and let it out in “polished form”. I especially love that.
That’s where the “endurance” part comes in. I think some people over-glorify the being done part and ship something that is not even remotely polished.
It’s like Bruce Lee said – “it takes more than one or two punches” … it takes more than a few tasks to create something, so be committed to seeing it through to completion.
Thanks for adding your thoughts here! :)
When one is exercising their creativity is there anything that is truly wrong? Such is the beauty of creativity. It seems to me the only way to be wrong would be to not exercise said creativity in the first place.
Great post Denise.
thanks, Rich! and I agree :)
I love “learn to endure or hire a bodyguard” Bodyguards are expensive. I think I’m going to go with endurance. :)
Ha! Yes, and I am with ya! :)
I am being creative doing my boards for parties even though I am not getting any business right now so I am just coming up with unique party ideas I am thinking about taking this business and turning it into a creative magazine for fun….thanks for your posts it has me thinking
That’s awesome – keep the ideas going! :)
Great post. =D They should share creative insight like this in art classes. This would have helped me so much in high school with my drawing. I don’t overanalyze my choices, but I do get sooo wrapped up in tracking my progress because if I don’t then I feel like I’m not getting anywhere. I like the Bruce Lee insert. That was pleasantly unexpected.
Thanks! I could easily write a blog post every week solely based on something Bruce Lee said at one time, lol. The man is wise!
And, I have those moments where I look back & try to track my progress. I don’t normally over-analyze, but once in a while, I’ll catch myself and realize that I just need to keeping going.
Appreciate your comment :)
What a great post, Denise! You are sooo helping and inspiring others. Thank you for this…off to share now.
Blessings for a great week,
Maya
Thanks, Maya! :)