Ok it’s kinda ironic, I know. But who better to advise those of us that make a career out of going in circles, than someone who has spent lots of time doing just that, and then worked out ways to get on top of things and get focused?! I’ve learnt a trick or three, and when I get serious, I can achieve lots these days.
Recently I had to give myself a bit of a shake and get that focused honed in again, and it got me thinking about what a problem it can be for myself and for many other artists I know. These are the things that I do to get moving again and on target. I’d love to hear what works for you guys and how you get on top of things again when it feels like your just running up and down on the spot…
1. Make a Map
I have to admitt it, I’m a list maker. Seems you either are, or you have a strong aversion to it. If the idea of writing a list of your short and long term goals makes you cringe – try some of these other suggestions instead. After all, it can be awfully hard to get to your destination effectively without some planning in place.
Mind mapping is a great, visual way to go – try this online version called Freemind. Another online option for keeping yourself organised is Evernote – a brilliant tool for making to-do lists, jotting down your inspirational idea’s or even grabbing a screen shot for your records. You can even email a link to your friends so they can access your individual note books. No more losing scraps of paper with important notes scrawled on them!
If this much organisation is still too much for you, at the very least make a mental plan, setting your plan to a realistic time frame. Making these plans goes to work on your sub-conscience in an amazing way. I’m often pleasantly surprised when I look back over old plans, when I realize just how many of the goals that I had set myself, I went on to achieve.
2. Do the Ugly Jobs!
Nothing slows me down more than my own avoidance techniques when an ugly chore is nagging at me. It may be to do with my art, or it may be completely unrelated. If it’s the thing that keeps getting put off to another day, itwill be dragging you down mentally. Look within and see if the reason you can’t move forward with a project is because your actually tied up in knots about work your trying to avoid.
Pushing myself to make that uncomfortable phone call, do the boring prep-work or finish the painfully boring office work, frees up so much pent up energy that everything else becomes super easy again.
3. Exercise
Boring tip, I know, but it works. Nothing helps me to focus more than some exercise. When I know I have a lot to accomplish, I always achieve more the days I do my yoga. Again, you need to do whatever works best for you, but do something that gets your body moving.
Telling yourself your too busy to exercise is usually just a false economy. Exercise will leave you more energised, more effective and in a better frame of mind to tackle the day. In this way it gives you time back, so if it isn’t already a regular part of your routine, find ways to work it in to your everyday and make it habitual.
4. Excite Your Work Space
Make your working area a place of high creative energy. After reading a great article over at the Skinny Artist – “Care and Feeding of a Muse – Rituals and Talismans of a Creative Soul” I realised that I take quite a scientific approach to this. I have a little system going that wakes up all of my five senses before I begin working.
Surrounding myself with visual stimulation is easy, I always have pictures of my painting subjects and other things that excite my sight such as beautiful flowers floating in a bowl. That fills the room with a pleasant scent as well. If I don’t have any flowers available, I find putting some orange or peppermint in the oil burner is fantastic for waking up my mind.
As with most artist’s I know, music plays a strong role in awakening my creativity, and I always have something I love playing. Touch is also taken care of since the whole painting process is textural, from the paints that I love to the brushes. Then lastly, I take this process right through to taste and begin every painting session with a strong cup of tea, usually something herbal with lots of flavour. Then the only thing I need to worry about is not mixing up my tea cup with my water pot, and I’m set!
Whether you believe that you need to make offerings to your muse, or like me, you just like to activate your mind in a particular way, be sure to make your work space an inviting, creative place to be.
5. Tell the Perfectionist in you to Pipe Down and Just Watch you Get to Work!
This is the stickler. The last hurdle that I usually have to deal with when I’m really stuck and not moving forward. In fact, most of the other steps I take to get to here, are just clearing the way and giving me the energy I need to deal with this one. I’m sure we all have our own little motto’s that help when the worries and the insecurities creep up and overwhelm us. For me, it’s my mantra; “There is no perfect – Art is an expression – There’s no wrong in art – There’s just a time in my life when this expression is right for me”.
Wherever I am in my life, that is the right place, the only place, I can express myself from. Learning more, and gaining more experience, helps me to do that more effectively each time. Something I can only do if I keep moving forward.
6. Be Kind to Yourself
Lastly, but most important of all – be good to you. If the reason you can’t move forward with a project is actually because your exhausted, instead of pushing through, look at ways to create the down time that you need. If your emotionally drained, recognise that and do that special something that never fails to replenish your soul.
Life seems to rush along at a break neck speed for so many of us. And yet we are creative souls, all of us, and we can find ways to make things work. Look for those solutions that will balance your life and let you be the best and most creative you that you can be.
Moving forward can be just so hard some times. It can feel like wading through mud with all the obstacles that life will throw up in the way. Just keep on believing in you, and your own unique gifts that you give to the world. Be kind and respectful to yourself, hang on tight to your goals, and set those work routines that are habit forming. Even the best procrastinators can become quite focused and target their energy – take it from one who knows.
