Join the Crawdad Crew and get this content right in your inbox.
A 5-Step Guide to Starting and Sustaining Your Creative Projects
Everyone has that one project. The one that stirs your imagination during idle moments, that fills your dreams with vibrant color and unending possibility.
And when the time comes to bring this dream to life, the hustle and bustle of your everyday life seems to build a wall around it.
If this rings true for you, you're not alone, and this guide is here to help you climb that wall and let your creativity flow.
Before we dive into the steps that will guide you on your creative journey, I'd like to share a personal story with you.
When I became a father for the first time, my world was suddenly filled with diapers, midnight feedings, and lullabies.
Amidst the joy and love I felt for my newborn, I also felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility, and as a result, my own creative endeavors fell by the wayside.
I had always been someone who thrived on creativity, but suddenly my creative projects started to gather dust.
I found myself yearning for those moments of creative solitude, yet feeling guilty for wanting time away from my new role as a dad.
The thought of starting a creative project felt like a luxury I couldn't afford - both in terms of time and energy.
I knew something had to change, but I didn't know where to start.
By breaking down my creative project into smaller tasks, I found I could get small wins in the midst of changing diapers and soothing a crying baby.
I managed my time more effectively, prioritizing my tasks so that I could carve out pockets of time for my project. I embraced the imperfections in my work, realizing that it was better to create something flawed than nothing at all.
Slowly but surely, I began to form a routine.
I woke up early in the morning before anyone else and chipped away at my personal goals.
I would spend a few mornings each week chipping away at some project or another.
It was a small window, but it was consistent, and consistency bred progress.
And as I immersed myself in this routine, the spark of motivation that had been smothered by my new responsibilities began to flicker again.
Today, my life is a testament to the power of these steps.
Despite the demands of fatherhood, I am living a life full of creativity. I've learned that it's not about having unlimited time or resources, but about making the most of what you have.
And as I watch my children grow and explore their own creativity, I am reminded of the importance of nurturing my own.
I am a father, but I am also a creator, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Now, let's dive into these steps so you too can unleash your creativity...
1. Understanding the Power of Small Steps
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your dream project. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you look at the grand vision of what you want to achieve.
Break it down.
Each day, do one thing, however small, that brings you closer to your goal.This approach makes the task less daunting and builds momentum over time.
It's about progress, not perfection.
2. Effective Time Management and Prioritization
One common barrier to starting a creative project is the feeling of being 'too busy.'
However, when we closely examine our daily activities, we often find pockets of time that could be put to better use.
Techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix (below) help you sort your tasks based on urgency and importance, freeing up time for what truly matters to you.
Remember, we make time for what we prioritize.
3. Embracing Imperfection
Fear of failure or the pursuit of perfection can paralyze our progress.
Instead, embrace the process of learning and improvement.
See your first attempts as drafts, not final products.
This mindset, often called "iterative development," allows for growth and refinement as you advance in your project.
Remember, every great artist had to start somewhere, and it wasn't at perfection.
4. The Role of Routine and Habit
Habits and routines are powerful tools in our arsenal.
By setting aside a specific time each day for your project, you create a routine that makes starting less daunting and sustains your progress.
Whether it's 15 minutes after breakfast or an hour before bed, find a time that works for you and stick to it.
Consistency breeds progress.
5. Leveraging Inspiration and Motivation
Staying motivated can be a challenge, especially when the initial excitement of a new project begins to wane.
Stay inspired by surrounding yourself with creativity - this could be through a vision board, joining a community of like-minded individuals, or immersing yourself in books or podcasts about your craft.
Once you start working on your project, the inspiration will come.
Remember, motivation often follows action.
It’s like hiking up a mountain!
Let’s compare this to something else in life that feels hard or impossible to most of us, backpacking up a mountain.
The Backpack
The backpack represents preparation for the journey. Each item in the backpack is a small step towards the overall goal.
It's not about making it to the top in one big leap, but about the many small, essential steps.
The Map
The map symbolizes the need to plan and prioritize.
It guides the hiker, helping them decide where to focus their time and energy for the most effective path up the mountain.
The Uneven Path
The path up the mountain is uneven, sometimes rough, with unexpected obstacles.
It represents the imperfections and challenges one might face in a creative journey. But each step forward, however imperfect, is progress.
The Footprints
The footprints left behind by the hiker represent the habits and routines they establish.
The repeated action of putting one foot in front of the other, consistently, helps them progress up the mountain.
The View from the Summit
Finally, the breathtaking view from the summit represents the inspiration and motivation that keeps the hiker going.
It's the reward at the end of the journey, the fulfillment of the creative project that fuels their drive.
Starting and sustaining a creative project with a busy life may feel like an uphill battle.
But with small, consistent steps, effective time management, a willingness to embrace imperfection, the power of routine, and a reservoir of motivation, you can certainly make your creative dreams a reality.
So go ahead and take that first small step towards bringing your project to life.
Cheers,
Chris
@hatefulcrawdad
P.S. Have a creative project you want to work on but not sure how to tackle it? Book a chat with me and I can help you strategize on how to break down the project in order to get it done.