Part 2: From dreaming to doing

For creative success, make time for planning and find ways to fill your creative well.

Whether you want to write a book or redesign your kitchen or create a beautiful garden, big creative projects can make you feel vulnerable and overwhelmed. Here are a few more ideas that have worked for me — tips and tricks for seeing your project move from concept to completion.

Any progress towards your goal counts.

Some days you just don’t feel like diving into the hardest part of your project — like the actual writing, for example. But there are other ways to make progress. Talk about your project with friends and do some brainstorming together. Do research and gather ideas on the internet. Make notes about things you’re thinking about or need to do. It’s all about keeping the project active in your head and it all counts. 

Practice “habit stacking”.

Habit stacking is the idea of tacking on a new task to a habit you’ve already established in your life. For example, if you’re writing a book, add writing to your ritual of morning coffee or evening tea. Write after a visit to the gym. Write after you read a story to your kids. Write after you brush your teeth. It works because a new habit can be easier to add when you link it with an old habit.

Find ways to have fun.

Visit a local museum or store or take a field trip. Buy a glossy magazine or a book by a favorite author who inspires you.

Gift yourself a larger amount of time.

Give yourself an afternoon or a weekend where you can completely focus on your project. A morning at a coffee shop or a day at the library or a weekend at the coast can give you a break from your usual routine and let you make a bigger chunk of progress. And a big chunk of progress can really propel you forward!

Reward yourself for progress.

This is important. It doesn’t have to be a large reward — maybe it’s a supermarket bouquet of flowers, a new book, or your favorite cookie. If you’ve hit a bigger milestone, perhaps give yourself a new pair of shoes or those new jeans you’ve been wanting. Better yet, take your partner or friend out for dinner — then they’ll be more invested in your project too.

Get an accountability group or buddy.

It’s hard to hold ourselves accountable. Share your goals with others and be honest about the progress you’re making and why. My writing groups are invaluable for keeping me on task. The Saturday Sisters provide ideas and encouragement for reaching our goals.

Be content with slow progress.

I’m definitely not one of those writers who can bang out a novel in four weeks. My novel took years and there were weeks when I felt like I was making almost no progress at all. The secret is consistency! Keep at it and eventually you’ll get there. For most of us, the best part of a personal project is that there are no deadlines. Nobody else is waiting for you to be finished, and there’s so much freedom in that.

Balance your resistance with your inspiration.

For me, my resistance showed up like this: spending time on social media and the news, not getting up early, and letting other distractions come first. My inspiration showed up like this: with the progress I was making, the feedback I was getting, the joy I felt while writing (being in “the zone”), and the way the story was taking on a life of its own. Over the long term, the inspiration I felt became more satisfying than the resistance moves I was making.

Put your creative work first.

Protect the time when you’re most creative. Work that time out with your family members and ask for the space you need. Share your schedule and ask others to respect it. When my mom knew that I was writing in the early mornings she waited until later in the day to call me — most of the time ;).

Protect your precious time.

Find ways to eliminate distractions: close the door, shut off the phone, go to a special location, use an app like Freedom to temporarily block distracting apps and websites on your iPhone and iPad, or use a timer to stay on task. For me, it helped to write on an iPad with a keyboard and stay off my computer which was filled with countless irresistible distractions. You can also turn off the WiFi on your computer if the internet is your sinkhole.

Create a NO list.

It might sound harsh, but it’s helpful to have a list of things you’re going to say no to — even if it’s only temporarily. We can easily get overbooked with other people’s priorities. Some examples of NO items might include volunteer work, helping other people with their projects, toxic relationships, or social “obligations”. Every item on your NO list gives more space for your priorities. Here are some ways to say no: I have prioritized my creative project in my life right now. I’m just too busy (you don’t owe others an explanation). I have a conflict at that time.

Creative productivity looks different.

It’s important to continually refill your creative well. Watch a movie, talk to your friends, visit an art gallery or a children’s museum, or take a walk in nature. Figure out when you’re drained and it’s time to fill up again.

You’ll get there!

Please excuse the messy desk, but this was the day I finished my first draft (though I still had a long ways to go). You can see how satisfied and happy I felt. And you’ll feel that way too, when you complete the project you’ve been dreaming of. I believe in your success.