You are a creative procrastinator. There are half finished projects, creative business ideas, craft supplies that have not even been opened and a handful more ideas on your mind. If you want to stop procrastinating and live a creative life (where you actually complete your projects) here are the mindset shifts you need to hear:
Avoidance is a void dance.
You are shimming around that black hole you call your creativity. If you look to closely you might get sucked in and disappear into the darkness forever. But being shrouded in darkness is not a bad thing. Darkness is disorienting but your eyes will adjust.
If you think it sucks it’s always going to suck
Your art sucks. Seriously, it’s so bad. There, did I tell you what you wanted to hear? Great, now go make bad art. Make the shittiest piece of art possible. If the idea of being bad is holding you back. Embrace it. Be bad at it. And then shockingly, the more you do it the better you will get at it.
Stop performing for others even when you are alone
Do you feel the need to be perfect even when you are alone. What even is that? The eyes of perception following your every move is holding you back without you even knowing it. This can rear it’s head when you try to relax, rest or simply choose to do something that does not seem productive when it comes to your creativity. Should you be creating something right now? Of course you could be. But like most things in life there needs to be a balance. Take off the mask and create for yourself.
Input over output
Celebrate the time you spend on your craft and not the completed pieces. This will take the pressure off feeling like you need to do more. If you celebrate every five minutes spent on your craft you can celebrate multiple times a day instead of once every few months or even a year depending waiting for the piece to be finished. This all depends on what you are creating. For me, I am writing a novel. I have been working on it for years and I still have at least one more draft before I start querying. If I didn’t celebrate my 30 minutes of writing a day I would be waiting a long to time to celebrate.
Visualize your completed work
Spend a few minutes each day visualizing the moment you complete your work. Even after a timed a session, take a few breathes and imagine the day the painting sells, the publishing contract comes in, your song goes viral on social media. Feel it, experience it as if it has happened. You brain will start looking for ways to make that a reality.
Your brain is a powerful tool. It can hinder your growth or expand it. Use your mindset to open up to the possibilities of your craft and how successful, fulfilling, and fun your life can be. Even if you continue to procrastinate make sure you celebrate the moments you do take action.
Happy creating!