When Distraction Outweighs Motivation

Did you make a resolution to tackle more creative endeavors this year? Write that book? Query that agent? Paint that picture? Compose that requiem? Solder that gigantic stained glass window for your second beach house?

The Usual Process

If so, then you know that the hardest part of a creative project is just getting started. But then comes the other hard part of continuing and the additional hard part of getting toward the end and the final hard part of finishing it. Basically, any creative endeavor is hard work from beginning to end. Rewarding and enjoyable, sure, but hard.

I’m not a painter or a stained-glasser. I’m just a writer, and not even a very noteworthy one at present. But my creative process probably looks a lot like yours, whatever your artistic passion. There’s the dry spell (interminable), the eventually glimmer of an idea (infinitesimal), the fight to find time and motivation to write those first few words, a wee bit of progress, the loss of steam, the slump where I consider trashing it all, and either the teeth-gritted determination to finish (phew!) or else the grinding to a halt of the whole hair-brained scheme (more likely).

A Better Motivation

I hope that sounds completely foreign to you and your exemplary work ethic. But if it sounds like someone you know—or someone you’ve been—then don’t lose heart. We’re all in the same boat from time to time. The good news is, we don’t have to keep paddling it up that self-defeating stream. We can turn the canoe around. Or jump ship. Or stop using the boat metaphor. Regardless, we can replace bad creative habits with good ones.

Yes, but how? To answer that question thoroughly and humorously, I offer to you this article from the Rabbit Room website. Writer and painter Kate Gaston describes how to tug against the resistance that slows our creative momentum. She describes the problem in a relatable way, gives an example of how she jumpstarted her motivation for painting, and ends with several ways to simply sit down and get to work. I know you’ll find it as helpful as I did!

Suggestions for Success

As a teaser, here are just a few of her suggestions: First of all, start with small, manageable goals. Like, teeny-tiny goals.

“Just like a bite-sized candy bar leaves our lizard brains ravenous for more sugar, tiny victories give our delicate egos a micro-dose sense of accomplishment. This, in turn, gives us courage and confidence to try again. Baby steps, y’all.”

Next, identify the time of day when you’re feeling most creative, and make a bit of time to work then.

“At first, you might only manage to carve out a scant amount of time. That’s okay. Like I said, sometimes it’s helpful to start with ridiculously achievable goals. Grab that low-hanging fruit, baby. The ten minutes you set aside for work today will be the kernel from which your productivity grows.”

Don’t forget to make your workspace attractive to you. Comfy chair? Stash of snacks? Good lighting? Do it all.  

“Next, and this is a big one for me, woo yourself to the physical space…. Find all the things that trigger your brain toward creativity, and then unapologetically do them.”

And finally, give yourself a break sometimes.

“Rest, beauty, and time spent trustfully dwelling in the goodness of God fill us to the brim with the richness and soulfulness which enable us, in turn, to do that deep work we are called to do.”

So how about it, friends? Armed with the suggestions from Gaston’s article, will you join me in the fight against creative entropy? We may still lose a battle from time to time, but with our determination, we shall win the war.