The Place Where You Can Always Find Inspiration

I am consistently in awe of visual artists.  The clarity and the vision they must have to recreate that picture in their mind's eye on paper, canvas, or, like in the picture above, a sidewalk.  The skill that act requires, to translate that inspiration into something we can all enjoy, is amazing.

Tuning Into Creative Strengths

I've tried my hand at drawing a few times.  My pictures were clumsy and awkward- I'm fairly certain a 4 year old could have done better.  I grew impatient quickly, and stopped trying.  I mean, if that was the best I could do, then why should I bother to continue doing it?

Writing on the other hand has always been my go-to means of communicating creatively.  My parents, teachers, friends, and others told me often when I was younger that I was good at it.  The stories I told moved them and that they wanted to read more.

So naturally- where did I focus my creative attention?

On my writing.

Incorporating the Practice

So for something like 25 years I've been slowly but surely honing that skill.  It has been sporadic at times, but whenever I come back to it I hear the same feedback.  That keeps me coming back to my writing chair over and over again.

And in the ritual of writing, of turning on the autopilot of my mind to create words for the page, I have always found inspiration.  My mind knows what to do, and it's not unlike getting into the car and driving to the location of my choice.  Sometimes I change my mind halfway there, but I always arrive at some destination thats interesting and new. 

The Power of the Ritual

If you start reading articles, interviews, and blogs of writers, you'll see debate around the concept of "writer's block"- mainly does it exist or doesn't it?

Struggling to find the right words can be a challenge.  Translating the jumbled image in my mind can sometimes be a real pain.  That's the part that can turn me off.  Not the inspiration, but the roadblocks my mind throws around formulating the story into something meaningful while still staying true to the muse.  So I belive it's not an inspirational block, but a rather a tactical one.

If you bring consistency to your practice- whatever skill you practice, you will not only get better at it, but you train your brain to show up and adhere to the task at hand.  For creatives, that is the act of inception. 

If you need a little bit more help at times, then go find it.  Read, doodle, or daydream.  Turn your creative consciousness to "Open" and see what appears that fleshes out the tiny kernal of an idea that has been pinging around in your head. 

Accept No Substitutes

It's an extraordinary process each and every time. The practice, the ritual you establish, is your secret weapon to being productive and prolific.  (I've just re-released my writing practice workshop: The Writer's Battle Plan for anyone who needs some help establishing a solid writing practice.)

No matter what creative space you practice in, the underlying concepts are the same: show up, dump the inner critic, and let your creative energy loose.  Don't let go until you are spent.  Then come back tomorrow and do it again.  And again.  And again.  Hold yourself to that standard and you will be rewarded.

Have you created your ritual? Add your thoughts in the comment section below.

(photo credit by Michael Caven)

And if you liked this post, click this button and share it with your friends!

Tweet

We'll Never Have Enough So Use It Wisely

Time.  As 2010 ticks down to its inevitable end, there is an awful  lot of chatter about time these days.  Here's some things I've heard from my friends over the last week:

Where does it go?
Time flies when you're having fun.
It seems like time moves faster the older you get.
I'd love too, but I don't have time to do that.
Check back in with me next year. (seriously!)

My guess is your friends may be saying the same things. 

(It's okay to admit that we've said them too btw.)

So what I'm focusing my time on is being as productive as possible.  Time is neutral, but what you choose to do with it often makes it either time well spent, or just time wasted.

Two things caught my eye today around how we spend our time that I thought I'd share. 

The first:

Chris Brogan asked on Twitter today: "It takes 90 seconds to make someone feel wanted and important.  What's your excuse?"

When you say it like that, I don't really think I have one.  So today's blogpost won't be as lengthy as others because I want to spend some quality time with my family.  I've been working like a mad fiend on the relaunch of my writing practice product, and I haven't spent as much time with them this week as I'd like too.

The second:

Ryah Albatros launched the #10minsclub Twitter chat.

I LOVE this concept.  It's all about what you can do in 10 minutes.  And not just another boring old task either, but something really meaningful.  We all have at least 10 minutes each day that we could use better or more effectively right?  Check out the details of Ryah's chat launch here   She also shares her personal story, which is incredibly moving and makes me feel lucky to have met such a wonderful person!

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." - Henry Van Dyke

(photo credit Iragerich)

Tweet