Why a single small step, will build a consistent creating practice - that lasts
If you want to build a consistent creative practice, I have a tip for you: make a decision to prioritize 15 minutes once a week. Lowering your expectations way down is the kaizen trick to building a new creating habit.
As a kaizen-muse-creativity coach, I’m all about small steps, self-kindness, and low pressure, also with creativity.
If you’re looking to build a consistent creative practice, you don’t want to wait to be struck by creative-motivation-lightning. If you wait to create only when you feel motivated, you’ll be waiting a long time, and certainly won't be building any kind of consistent creative practice.
Why focusing on a single small step will build you a consistent creative practice.
Focusing on a single small step to build a consistent creative practice works, because it’s simple.
One of the biggest creative blocks is having unrealistic expectations. High expectations lead to perfectionism, which is the fear of not being good enough in the eyes of others. It’s crippling.
We’re overwhelmed in epic proportions today, so simply focusing on creating for 15 minutes in a whole week, might not seem a lot, to our ever more-striving brain, and that’s actually the point.
You can almost imagine the conversation in the brain “15 minutes isn’t enough, I have to do 5 hours, at least, or it’s not worth it….”
NO you don’t!
Much of doing creative work is about fighting resistance. Your brain is wired to protect you from scary and dangerous things. The bugger is, your brain doesn’t know the difference between actual scary things and doing something creative. Your brain says, if it’s new, it’s scary.
The best way to convince your fear creating isn’t scary, is to prove it.
Creating playfully for 10-15 minutes will help prove to the amygdala (fear part of the brain), that it’s not scary.
The proof is in the evidence. The fact you survived yet another 15 minutes of doing something new and difficult, is helping your fear relax a little.
It’s a creative muscle you need to train. You get a little stronger every time you create. Wrote another blog post, finished another painting, and got a little further on your project? YES! You’re doing creative work.
How often is consistent creating?
Forget about every day. Who needs that kind of pressure?
If you’re new to creating consistently, I’d suggest small, small steps. This I cannot say often enough. Smaller doable steps are way better than being too ambitious and going “all in” only to stop after a few weeks because “something came up”.
15 minutes is probably doable for most people once a week. I’m sure you watch telly, or look at your phone for more than 15 minutes a day. I know I do.
If you’re a little more experienced you can put times in your calendar dedicated to your work. Maybe an hour each time is realistic for you. Again, I recommend you always set a smaller intention than you think you can handle. You can always do more once you’re working. It’s getting started that’s the hard part.
How creating consistently changed everything for me
I can’t remember what I did with myself before I started this blog. Before I started blogging. It’s like there’s a before and after in my life. We all have different reasons for wanting to make something. For me, it was, and still is, to have a place that’s mine and where I have total creative freedom. That turned out to be a blog. For you, it might be something else.
I have 3 children and a hubby. If you have a family, you know what this means. Having a place that is mine and where I can create and express myself as me, is essential to me.
One of the most amazing side-effects that have come out of creating consistently for me is the people I’ve met through my blog and the beautiful community I’m building. Such a wonderful bonus.
“Taking the small steps of kaizen is designed to calm the stress associated with change.”
If you need a goal for your creative practice, make it self-love
Honestly, the best tool for moving past creative resistance is to do your best to remove any expectations you have. What if you make your creative time about yourself? Light a candle, wear comfy clothes, and have no expectation of having to “produce”. Simply brainstorm, doodle, think, dream, or write, for no other reason than because you want to.
It doesn’t matter what you create or do in the beginning. It’ll show itself once you show up for yourself and your creativity.
I have seen, how this approach has worked well for clients who were stuck.
You know how kids in school have recess between lessons? We adults need a little recess too between all the stuff we have to do too. A little self-love creative recess time.
You deserve creative time. It’ll nourish your soul.
Cheering you on
