Creativity: A Guide to Finding Inspiration

1 Comment / Art, creativity /

As a creative person, I sometimes struggle with finding ideas and techniques to make the picture in my mind real and out in the world.  I also struggle with coming up with things to create sometimes.  I think having a block is a common occurrence for all creative individuals.  So, this post is all about creativity: what it is, how to nurture it, ways to develop it.  I hope this will help you overcome any blocks you may have related to creativity.

What is creativity: creativity what is it

  • Creativity is a multifaceted and dynamic cognitive process that involves generating original and valuable ideas, concepts, or solutions through the exploration of new connections, perspectives, and insights. It is the ability to transcend conventional thinking patterns and bring forth novel and imaginative outcomes.
  • At its core, creativity encompasses the capacity to combine existing knowledge, experiences, and resources in unconventional ways to produce something unique and meaningful. It goes beyond mere replication or imitation and embraces innovation, novelty, and the courage to challenge established norms.
  • Creativity is not limited to specific domains or individuals labeled as “creative.” It is a universal human trait that can be nurtured and cultivated in various aspects of life, including art, science, business, problem-solving, and everyday experiences. It involves the blending of imagination, intuition, curiosity, and critical thinking to overcome obstacles, identify opportunities, and create value.
  • Creativity thrives in an environment that encourages open-mindedness, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks. It flourishes when individuals embrace their unique perspectives, tap into their personal resources, and engage with diverse stimuli from their internal and external worlds.
  • Ultimately, creativity is a powerful force that has the potential to drive progress, foster innovation, and bring about positive change in both individual lives and society as a whole. It is a boundless wellspring of inspiration waiting to be harnessed, inviting individuals to explore uncharted territories and leave their mark on the world through their originality and ingenuity.

That is certainly a mouthful, but it really is the definition for creativity.  The best take-away is that creativity is inherent in all humans and can be nurtured and developed over time.  We all are creative souls from birth.  Creativity is our birthright.  Why we don’t claim it is beyond me.  Why we let it languish and die is also beyond me.

Ways to develop and nurture your own creativity:

Creativity is a fascinating and essential aspect of the human experience. Whether you’re an artist, writer, entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to infuse more innovation into your daily life, finding creative ideas can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, inspiration is all around us, waiting to be discovered.

I. The Inner World: Tapping into Personal ResourcesMindfulness and meditation

  • Self-reflection: Deep dive into your passions, interests, and values. One of the best ways to get creative ideas is to explore your interests. What are you passionate about? What makes you happy? When you’re doing something you love, your mind is more likely to come up with new and exciting ideas. So, take some time to think about what you enjoy doing and make time for it in your life. Whether it’s painting, reading, or playing video games, immersing yourself in your interests can help spark your creativity.
  • Embracing solitude: Finding tranquility in solitude for introspection and reflection.
  • Mindfulness and meditation: Cultivating mental clarity and opening channels for creative thinking.
  • Journaling: Recording thoughts, observations, and experiences to foster self-expression.

II. The External Environment: Seeking Inspiration from the World

  • Nature’s wonders: Exploring the outdoors to spark awe and stimulate the senses. Spending time in nature has been shown to boost creativity. The fresh air and the change of scenery can help you to clear your head and come up with new ideas.
  • Cultural immersion: Engaging with diverse art, music, literature, and traditions.
  • Travel and exploration: Venturing beyond your comfort zone to gain fresh perspectives. Talking to people from different backgrounds and with different experiences can help you to gain new insights and perspectives. It can also help you to come up with new ideas for projects or products.
  • Conversations and collaborations: Interacting with others to exchange ideas and viewpoints. Collaborating with others can be a great way to get creative ideas. When you work with someone else, you bring together different perspectives and skill sets. This can lead to new a

  • nd innovative ideas that you might not have thought of on your own. So, find someone who shares your interests and start brainstorming together.

  • Listen to music: Music can be a great source of inspiration. It can help you to relax and de-stress, which can make it easier for you to think creatively. Listening to music with complex rhythms and melodies can help stimulate your brain and inspire creativity

III. Broadening Horizons: Learning and Expanding Knowledge

  • Reading: Diving into books, articles, and blogs across various genres and subjects. Reading exposes you to new ideas and perspectives, which can help you to see the world in a new light. It can also help you to develop your own unique voice.
  • Continued education: Enrolling in courses, workshops, or online platforms to acquire new skills.
  • Online communities and forums: Engaging with like-minded individuals to share insights and experiences. The internet is a treasure trove of creative ideas. There are countless websites, blogs, and social media accounts dedicated to inspiring others. So, take some time to br
  • owse the web and see what others are doing. You might find a new technique or idea that sparks your creativity.
  • Cross-disciplinary exploration: Transferring concepts from one field to another to foster innovation.

IV. Embracing Creativity Boosters: Techniques and Practices

  • Brainstorming: Generating a plethora of ideas without judgment or limitations.
  • Mind mapping: Visualizing connections and associations to stimulate creative thinking.
  • Creative exercises and prompts: Challenging yourself with thought-provoking activities.
  • Setting challenges and constraints: Embracing limitations to foster innovative problem-solving.

V. Embracing Failure and Adaptability

  • Embracing failure as a learning opportunity and a catalyst for growth: Failure is a part of the creative process. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from trying new things.
  • Iterative thinking: Iterating and refining ideas to enhance their creative potential.
  • Embracing ambiguity: Being comfortable with uncertainty and exploring uncharted territories.
  • Adaptability and flexibility: Embracing change and exploring alternative approaches.

VI. Nurturing a Creative Lifestyle

  • Cultivating curiosity: Embracing a lifelong love for learning and exploration.

  • Taking breaks and rest: Allowing time for relaxation and rejuvenation. Sometimes, the best thing you can do to get creative ideas is to take a break. When you’re constantly working and trying to come up with new ideas, your mind can become exhausted. Taking a break can help refresh your mind and give you a new perspective. So, go for a walk, take a nap, or do something else that relaxes you. You might be surprised at how many new ideas come to you when you’re not actively thinking about them.

  • Physical well-being: Prioritizing exercise, healthy habits, and self-care.
  • Establishing a creative routine: Designing a structured schedule to allocate time for creative pursuits.

Creativity is a boundless and transformative force that resides within each of us. By harnessing the power of introspection, exploring the world around us, expanding our knowledge, and embracing innovative techniques, we can unlock the door to endless inspiration. As human beings, we all have a creative side. However, sometimes it can be difficult to tap into that creative well and come up with new and innovative ideas. Whether you’re an artist, writer, or entrepreneur, finding inspiration can be a challenge.

Have fun! Creativity is more likely to flow when you’re relaxed and having fun. So, don’t take yourself too seriously and enjoy the process of coming up with new ideas.

Some extra tips to help you find creative ideas and unleash your own creativity:

1. Change your thinking: Instead of saying “I don’t know” or “I can’t,” try asking “What if?” This can help you open up new possibilities and ideas.
2. Take a break from the mundane: Try to think and act outside the box. Give yourself permission to explore new ideas and take risks.
3. Get out of your head with exercise and movement: Exercise can help you clear your mind and get out of your head. It can also help you generate new ideas by stimulating your brain.
4. Consult your board of advisors: Surround yourself with people who inspire you and who have different perspectives than you do. They can help you generate new ideas and see things from different angles.
5. Read or watch biographies of inspiring, creative people: Learning about other people’s creative processes can help inspire your own creativity.

I hope these tips help you find inspiration and unleash your creativity! 😊

I have another post about creativity here that you should also check out if this topic resonates with you.

Here are some other resources for you to check out.  They are eye-opening about creativity!
How to Unleash Your Creativity and Find Inspiration Today!

Seven Ways To Unleash Your Creativity – Forbes.

19 Amazing Ways to Be Creative (That You’re Not Doing) – Science of People.

How to Increase Your Creativity – Verywell Mind. 

Local artist says anyone who has an imagination can create art

Art Challenges – A List By Month

TONS OF DRAWING CHALLENGES

You can get a free tip sheet that summarizes most of this post here.

 

Creativity: A Guide to Finding Inspiration Read More »

What is imposter syndrome?

Leave a Comment / Art, creativity, self care /

One thing all artists have to struggle with is feeling like they are not “really” artists.  They denigrate their work, their talents, their abilities because they don’t feel like they deserve to be called an artist.  This is known as imposter syndrome and it is a real thing.  Many people besides artists experience this daily and for some it is crippling.  So, today, let’s delve into this topic to see what it is all about and how to deal with it once and for all.

Remind myself who I amWhat is imposter syndrome?

Impostor syndrome is best described as the fear of being considered a fraud or doubting one’s accomplishments. Even those who have reached a level of success in their chosen field are often full of anxiety and crippling thoughts of being considered a fraud. According to the Journal of Behavioral Science, it is estimated that 70% of people in the U.S. experience impostor syndrome.

Impostor syndrome (IS) is an internal feeling that you believe you are not as qualified as other may think you are. This is often connected to thoughts of perfectionism and can be applied to your intelligence or achievement. If you have feelings of being a fraud or that you did not deserve that raise, then you could be dealing with imposter syndrome.

Four Characteristics of imposter syndrome

Those who suffer with imposter syndrome doubt their own skills and accomplishments despite the evidence of the success. Below are four common indicators you may be dealing with imposter syndrome.signs of imposter syndrome

1. Deep-seated feelings of fear that you aren’t able to meet expectations.
2. Undermining your achievements even when you worked diligently towards that goal.
3. Setting unrealistic goals and then feeling disappointed if you do not meet those goals.
4. Doubting yourself no matter what you’re working on or working towards.

If you recognize any of the above, there some things you can do to move past these feelings. Begin by confronting your feelings and any beliefs you hold about yourself. If you struggle with any of this, consider speaking with a professional or close friend. Confiding in someone can help you gain clarity on your feelings and beliefs.

Impostor syndrome can be ingrained in you as a child and continue well into adulthood. Struggling with feelings of being a fraud can happen to anyone but is seen mostly in successful women. According to research done with Psycnet.apa.org, “despite their outstanding academic and professional accomplishments, women who experience the impostor syndrome persist in believing that they are really not bright and have fooled anyone who thinks otherwise.”

Do You Have imposter syndrome?recognizing imposter syndrome

So, how do you know if you suffer from imposter syndrome? One way to know if you are dealing with it is to take a free online test. Simply answer the questions that you can find through a quick online search, or try the free test on at Psycom.net.

You can remove imposter syndrome by first recognizing it in your life and seeing how it is affecting you. Progressively work towards breaking those limiting beliefs by thinking of the quality of work you are performing versus the quantity.

If someone pays you a compliment, remind yourself that it is a fact and that you deserve it. Begin to recognize your own successes and take time to celebrate the wins in your life. Eventually your inner voice will support your new positive thoughts so you can overcome the feelings of impostor syndrome.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing imposter syndrome

Now that you know what imposter syndrome is, how do you know if you are living with it?

Five Signs You Have imposter syndrome

Here are five common signs that you are living with imposter syndrome.

 

stop feeling like you don't know

  1. You cannot assess your skills and abilities realistically because you are giving yourself unrealistic goals to accomplish.
  2. You connect your success to the outcome, giving no thought to the amount of work you put forth.
  3. You put down your o efforts and accomplishments by shrugging them off as if they were “not that good”.
  4.  You live in constant fear of failing to meet your own expectations, but fail to acknowledge the goals you’ve reached.
  5. You engage in activities that self-sabotage potential success by choosing to deliberately procrastinate.

Many people with imposter syndrome look for ways to protect their ego and self-esteem when faced with tough situations. There are negative side effects to living with imposter syndrome, such as hindering your chance of success by choosing to create a barrier. Some individuals use their limiting beliefs, or feelings of impostor syndrome, for motivation.

External Proof versus Internal Thoughtsdealing with imposter syndrome

Impostor syndrome keeps you from internally accepting or believing your abilities or successes. The more you accomplish and succeed, the stronger the negative thoughts can become.

Do you struggle with thoughts or feelings of being a fraud in your career or at school? Have you reached a goal yet you don’t feel you did it well enough? These are examples of how individuals with imposter syndrome feel. Even though you accomplished the goal you set out to do, you can’t seem to internally believe it was good enough.

Internal feelings can increase the anxiety and could lead to intense feelings of being a fraud. This creates a vicious cycle and it may require the help of a psychologist or therapist to overcome this phenomenon. If the impostor syndrome is not correctly handled, it can lead to feelings of isolation or even feelings of dread.

Impostor syndrome is often passed down to a person from their family, unknowingly. It may not be evident until later in their teens or adulthood. Another potential cause may be from entering a new career field where you internally compare your skills to those who have been at the job longer than yourself. There could also be a number of external factors that could cause a person to be inflicted with impostor syndrome.Realizing you have imposter syndrome

 

Once you realize you have impostor syndrome, you can take steps to overcome it. Some of these steps include sharing your feelings and fears with trusted individuals. Ask yourself if your thoughts are honest and rational. Assess whether you are comparing yourself to others without even realizing it. Keep in mind that successful people struggle with impostor syndrome and often relate their success to luck instead of hard work. Let your guard down and let others see you for who you really are.

Success Is Not Luck, It’s You!

Impostor syndrome can cause you to feel that you only accomplished your goals due to luck. Maybe you think you aren’t as good as your boss thinks you are and you worry that you’ll be found out. Research shows us that both men and women battle impostor syndrome and are unable to acknowledge and own their successes.

Individuals that live with impostor syndrome think that things happen to them due to luck rather than their own hard work or abilities. This then leads to a cycle of negative thinking that can hold them back from moving up the corporate ladder. They may even end up working harder than necessary, which could lead to increased feelings of failure or burnout.

Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life

If you are living with impostor syndrome you may struggle with accepting your own success. Perhaps you feel that you don’t deserve your corporate position or  an award of accomplishment. If you can relate to this, then there are some suggestions on how you can fix your inner impostor.

 

  • Change your mindset to accept your shortcomings instead of seeking a perfect outcome with every project or goal.
  • Embrace your imperfections and learn to accept yourself the way you are. Remind yourself that you did your best.
  • Keep a list of realistic goals. If you have a list of goals already then look through them with honesty.
  • Believe the effort you’ve put forth regardless of the outcome. You may have worked hard towards a goal just to fall short of the desired outcome. This is an opportunity to accept the outcome and still be proud of the work you put into it.

So, as you can see this can happen to anyone anywhere.  It is our own responsibility to determine if we suffer from this syndrome and then do the work to change the way we think about our efforts.  Most people do not need to seek professional help unless this syndrome is so ingrained into their psyche that they are unable to see it or change it and it is damaging their lives.  Mostly, don’t feel bad about yourself if you have this syndrome.  70% of successful people do have it.  You are not alone, but you may need to reevaluate your thoughts and thinking patterns to decrease your anxiety about your work.

Here’s a great Ted Talk to watch and hear more about this issue: Elizabeth Cox Ted Talk

What is imposter syndrome? Read More »

Journaling for Creativity

2 Comments / Art Journaling, creativity, journaling, self care /

Boosting Creativity and Overcoming Mental Blocks through Journaling

Welcome to the world of journaling, a powerful tool that can unlock your creativity and help you navigate through mental blocks that hinder your artistic expression. In this blog post, we will explore how journaling stimulates your imagination, encourages self-reflection, and provides a safe space for brainstorming ideas. By incorporating simple yet effective techniques into your journaling practice, you can tap into your inner creative genius and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of your artistic pursuits.

I. How Journaling for Creativity increases your own creativity

journaling for creativity

1. Helps You Process Your Thoughts

Journaling can help you process your thoughts and emotions, which can lead to new ideas and insights. By writing down your thoughts, you can gain clarity and perspective, which can help you come up with new ideas.

2. Encourages Free Thinking

Journaling allows you to write freely without worrying about judgment or criticism. This can encourage free thinking and help you generate new ideas.

3. Provides a Safe Space to Experiment

Journaling provides a safe space to experiment with new ideas and approaches. You can try out different writing styles, brainstorm new ideas, and explore different perspectives without worrying about the outcome.

4. Helps You Identify Patterns

Journaling can help you identify patterns in your thinking and behavior that may be blocking your creativity. By recognizing these patterns, you can take steps to overcome them and unlock your creativity.

II. Understanding the Link between Journaling for Creativity

  1. Sparking Inspiration:

    • Through journaling, you can capture fleeting thoughts, observations, and ideas that serve as the foundation for creative projects.

      art journaling

    • Jot down random thoughts, vivid descriptions, or interesting quotes you come across to spark inspiration later.
    • Use your journal to record sensory experiences, such as sights, sounds, and emotions, to draw upon when seeking fresh ideas.

  2. Unleashing Imagination:

    • Journaling encourages free-flowing thoughts without fear of judgment, allowing your imagination to roam freely.
    • Engage in freewriting exercises where you write non-stop for a set amount of time, exploring ideas without worrying about grammar or coherence.
    • Try stream-of-consciousness writing, where you write down every thought that comes to mind, no matter how unrelated or random.

III. Journaling for Creativity: Techniques for Enhancing Creativity

  1. Morning Pages:

      • Begin your day with morning pages, a journaling technique popularized by Julia Cameron in her book “The Artist’s Way.”
      • Set aside a few minutes each morning to write three pages of longhand stream-of-consciousness writing.
      • Morning pages help clear mental clutter, boost focus, and generate new ideas, setting the stage for a creative day.

    morning pages

  2. Mind Mapping:

    • Use mind maps to visually organize your thoughts and generate connections between ideas.
    • Start with a central concept or theme and branch out with related ideas, keywords, and visual representations.
    • Mind maps stimulate creativity by allowing you to explore various angles and associations around a particular topic.mind map

  3. Creative Prompts:

    • Explore creative prompts to kick-start your imagination when you feel stuck.
    • Look for journaling prompt books or websites that offer intriguing questions or scenarios to write about.
    • Use prompts to delve into new perspectives, experiment with different writing styles, or explore unconventional ideas.

How to Journal for Creativity

Here are some tips on how to journal for creativity:

1. Write Freely

When journaling for creativity, it’s important to write freely without worrying about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Just let the words flow onto the page.

2. Brainstorm Ideas

Use your journal to brainstorm new ideas and approaches. Write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how silly or unrealistic it may seem.

3. Try Different Approaches

Experiment with different writing styles and approaches. For example, you could try writing in the form of a letter or a diary entry.

IV. Overcoming Mental Blocks through Journaling for Creativity

  1. Self-Reflection:

    • Journaling promotes self-reflection, providing an opportunity to identify and address mental blocks.
    • Write about your fears, doubts, or self-criticism that may be hindering your creativity.
    • Analyze recurring patterns or negative beliefs, and challenge them through counter-arguments in your journal.

  2. Problem Solving:

    • When faced with creative challenges, journaling can serve as a problem-solving tool.
    • Describe the specific problem or obstacle you’re facing, and brainstorm potential solutions.
    • Encourage a free flow of ideas without judgment, allowing unconventional or out-of-the-box solutions to emerge.

  3. Tracking Progress:

    • Use your journal to track and celebrate your creative progress over time.
    • Record completed projects, new ideas, or personal breakthroughs.
    • Reflecting on past successes can boost confidence and motivation during moments of self-doubt.

Journaling is a gateway to enhanced creativity and a valuable tool for navigating mental blocks. By incorporating simple techniques such as morning pages, mind mapping, and creative prompts into your journaling practice, you can harness your imagination, generate fresh ideas, and overcome obstacles that hinder your creative pursuits. Embrace the power of journaling, and embark on a journey of self-discovery, innovation, and artistic growth.reflective journaling

There are other posts about journaling that you can find here and here to help you understand and enjoy your journaling.

Remember, the pages of your journal hold the key to unlocking your creative potential. Start today, and let your imagination soar!

For more about this topic:

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The Creative Process

Leave a Comment / Art, creativity /

creative processThe 5 Steps In The Creative Process

When you look at creative work, you might be amazed at how simple they are, their beauty and their effectiveness. You might wonder how they came up with the idea. How can you use that creative process in your work and life? Creativity is not magic. It’s a mixture of influence, imitation and your own interpretation. It can be more predominate in some people, but everyone can train themselves to be more creative. It’s not just restricted to art or music or inventors. It comes down to training yourself in the creative process.

The creative process is different for everyone yet has the same basic 5 steps. Each step will be different depending on the person, job, industry, creative medium or other factors. It might take days, weeks or months to get an outcome. The creative process is not predictable or linear.

1. Preparation.

The preparation stage is where you gather as much information as possible. You begin becoming immersed with the material. Research is done in this step. Look at the audience, research the brand, gather information and inspiration from other sources.
For example, if you are a writer, this step is the researching facts and reading other works in the same area. If you’re an entrepreneur you’re researching your audience needs and the demand.

2. Incubation.

This is the step that will take time. It’s where the magic happens. After you absorb the information from step one, you begin to examine concepts, look at them in different ways and experiment on how the fit together. This step is when ideas are marinating in your mind. It can be consciously while you are brainstorming or subconsciously. You may have to step away from the problem to do something else that energized and excites you before you come back to it.

3. Illumination.

This is the “Aha!” moment, the lightbulb moment, the “Eureka!” moment when the perfect idea hits you. It’s the breakthrough moment. It’s often unexpected. It happens many times when you are doing a completely unrelated activity. When this moment hits, grab your notebook or sketchbook and jot it down before it gets lost in your brain.

4. Evaluation.

This is the reasoning stage. It’s the hard part where you look at all your ideas and narrow them down to the ones that will work and the ones that won’t. For each idea or solution ask:

• Is it worth pursuing?
• Is it new enough or has it been done many times before?
• Are there changes I could make?
• What do my colleagues, friends, or family think of the idea?

5. Implementation.

This is the stage where the work gets done. It’s where the idea is turned into the final product. It’s where things like your skill, knowledge, experiences and the work all come to.

10 Ways to Develop Creativityways to be creative

Creativity is something we all use in some form, but many believe they aren’t creative. But the creative mind can be developed. The best way to do that is through practice.

The more you do the things, regularly, that flex your creative muscle, the more you will develop a natural ability to be creative. Developing your creative muscles helps reduce stress and improve your problem-solving ability.

Begin with these 10 steps to develop and enhance your creativity.
  1. Be mindful and observe what others are doing around you. The way we see our surroundings and our environment helps build our creativity. Notice and appreciate everything and everyone around you. This opens your mind to new possibilities while helping you build on collection of experiences to draw from for inspiration.
  2. Be willing to take risks in order to develop your creative skills. While you will fail, you will be boosting your creativity and building skills you can use later.
  3. Every time you make progress with using your creativity, you are building your confidence. Reward yourself for your creativity.
  4. When you approach a problem remember there are multiple solutions. Look for a variety of solutions instead of going with your first one. This helps build problem solving skills and your creative thinking skills.
  5. Start to keep a creativity journal. Use it to keep track of your creative process and any ideas you come up with. Go back and reflect on what you have accomplished. Use it to try to find other solutions to any problems you may have solved already.
  6.  Use a mind map or flow chart to connect ideas and look for creative answers to any questions you are facing. For the mind map, write down the central topic or word then link the related ideas around the center word. This gives you a visual for seeing ideas and how they are linked. The flow chart can be used to track what needs to happen when in a project or event. They can also be used to visualize the final product and what needs to happen to get to that finished product.
  7. Develop your creativity by changing your environment. This can as simple as clearing your desk, painting your walls or moving your furniture. Or you can try taking your laptop to work in a different setting such as a restaurant or park.
  8. Fight your fear of failing. If you fear you will make a huge mistake or fail when you try doing something new, it can keep you paralyzed from being creative. Mistakes are always going to happen. The trick is to not give up and to learn from them.
  9. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Do this on a regular basis to develop your creativity. Changing things and doing things outside your comfort zone boosts creativity. Start with something small if you aren’t ready to rock climb a mountain cliff.
  10.  Take time to daydream and let your mind wander. Daydreaming leads to creative problem-solving while boosting your creative thinking. As it wanders, your mind accesses memories and emotions as well as those random bits of knowledge you’ve forgotten. Focus on the area you are wanting inspiration in.

Practice is key when it comes to developing your creativity. If you don’t do your activities, regularly, whether they are mental or physical, your creativity fades. There are many ways to develop your creativity. Just find the ones that work for you.

Useful Tricks to Improve Creative Thinkingboost creativity

There might be times you find yourself lacking in creativity. The cause for your lack of creativity can be for different reasons. It could be you haven’t been using your creative muscles regularly and they’ve become hidden. There are many tricks you can use to improve your creative thinking.
One of the best ways to keep yourself inspired to create every day is to have rituals in place that you use regularly and routinely. Having routines that inspire you conditions your brain to tap into your creativity easily.

 

Some examples of a ritual might be to:
  •  Read in the morning.
  •  Listen to music every day.
  •  Meditating for 5 minutes.
  • Deep breathe throughout the day.

Creating something every day, even if you only have 5 or 10 minutes to do so, keeps your creativity alive and inspired. You don’t have to create a masterpiece. Write a short article. Draw mind maps in meetings. Develop new product ideas. Creatively re-arrange and organize your files. Take photographs of the sunset.

Take breaks often. Especially when you feel stuck with a problem and can’t find the solution. Taking breaks allows your mind to focus on something else while getting inspiration. It’s also good to take a break from all the digital chatter in our lives regularly. Get outside and unplug at least once a week, preferably daily, to build your creative thinking muscle.

Whenever you feel inspired, make a list of those ideas in a small notebook or note app in your phone. Use these ideas as launching pads for new ways of doing things, new products or whatever inspires you.

Have fun regularly. Go out with friends or colleagues for some time away from the routines that are keeping your stuck. Laughing, good conversation and bouncing ideas off each other builds and inspires your creativity while helping you relax and have fun.

Use the “Three Ifs” to ask clever questions to inspire your thoughts on a concept. Build your creative thinking by asking questions like these:

    •  What would happen if I change it?
    • What would I change or improve about it?
    • How exactly could I improve it?what if

These questions or ones like them, can be powerful tools to help you think differently.  Repeatedly use the three questions test in all types of the situations. Ideas will begin to flow and enable you to think more creatively.

Take advantage of the peak hours that you feel most productive and creative when you need to find a solution. Some people are more creative during times of emotional stress. Whatever that time is, use it to let your creative juices flow. Put on some music, surround yourself with inspiring things and just be creative.

Interact with creative and inspiring people on a regular basis to get fresh ideas and perspectives. These interactions and exchange of ideas can help you re-focus on the creative ideas that work best for you and help you narrow down your options.

Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks to improve your creative thinking. When you avoid taking risks you end up suppressing your ideas. Risks give you permission to think outside the box and embrace your creative ideas. Some people are more creative than others, naturally. But everyone can be a creative thinker. Build your creativity in ways that help you be inspired and creative all the time.

You can get a free Creativity Tip Sheet here.

For more information read these:

For a More Creative Brain Follow These 5 Steps

The creative process: definition, steps, benefits and tips

6 Artists Talk about Their Creative Processes

 

The Creative Process Read More »

Time Management and Blocking: Can they help you?

Leave a Comment / Time Management /

We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Yet why does it seem that some people get more done than others in that same amount of time? To be successful at anything we must learn to manage our time efficiently. Time management is the answer and time blocking is the method.

There’s a saying about finding time. I often wish I could find the time to do this or find more time to finish that or some other finding time axiom. But really, where are you going to find time? Is it hidden away or did someone else use some of your allotted time? As a person who blogs, paints, takes care of a home, has old pets that need extra care, and tries to exercise to stay in shape, I understand how time seems unavailable to you most of the day. If I did not keep a list and a daily journal, I would not ever get anything done.  I use time management and time blocking to my advantage to get everything done that I need to do each day.  You can learn to do this too.

Did you know the average person checks their phone about 150 times every day? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (source: https://www.bls.gov/tus/), we spend on average 5 hours a day on leisure activities including social media.

We waste time on our phones, on social media, and on the internet. Talking and trying to find lost documents at work wastes time. Time management has been a problem for millions of people for years.

Here are some of the top time wasters:

  • No priorities or goals keeps you doing random tasks
  • Procrastination causes you to be rushed to finish projects
  • Perfectionism keeps you from making progress and moving forward
  • Saying “Yes” when you are already overwhelmed and allowing others to take up your time
  • Distractions take away from your concentration taking time
  • Getting up late keeps you from taking advantage of starting earlier
  • Social media and being online is a big one. Spending time on Facebook, Twitter, watching YouTube videos

Another time waster is taking on too much at one time. It leads to a time crunch often because we think we have plenty of time, so we end up doing other projects first (or, if we’re honest with ourselves, spending time on social networking sites). Then before we realize it, you suddenly realize the deadline or launch date is here and you don’t have enough time to get it done.

In this post, we’re going to learn how to get control over your time using time management and time blocking. You’ll discover how to determine how much time you really have, where you’re wasting time and how you can optimize your time to get more done using different techniques and apps.

Determine How Much Time You Have

 You will never “find” time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. ~Charles Bruxton

 Let me ask you, how much time do you spend doing work that you get paid for and how much is spent on task that make you no money, such as tweaking your website, creating another freebie, or wasting time on Facebook or Pinterest? Time management starts by identifying what you do with your 24 hours.

Don’t know the answer? It’s time to start tracking your time to see what you’re doing that is taking you away from your goals. Of course, you only have 24 hours a day, with a certain number for sleeping, eating, work, and leisure. The trick is to determine how much time you are spending on everything and then finding ways to streamline or change the way you work.

One way to determine how much time you have is to use a free tracking tool like Toggl. It tracks the amount of time you spend on your blog and time spent online. Another option is to write down everything you do in a day for a week. Include the amount of time you spend doing something. For example, let’s say you are working away on a project then get distracted by Facebook. Write down the time you switched to Facebook and the time you returned to your project. You might be surprised that instead of just a few minutes to answer a post, you actually spent 30 minutes or more on Facebook. You can simply write it down or keep it in spreadsheet you create or use a time tracking tool or program.

RescueTime is one program that runs in the background to calculate the amount of time you spend on your computer visiting websites and monitoring the programs you use.

Determining where you are spending your time and how much of that time is wasted is the first step in taking control of managing your time.

Where to Optimize Your Time to Get More Done

Time is what we want most, but what we use worst. ~William Penn

Now that you know where you are spending your time, it’s time to optimize your time so you can be more productive. It’s not difficult. Making a few simple changes to how you are doing things now can add that time you thought was lost.

Time management give you everything you need to do to meet your goals, whether for your business, your health or some other aspect of your life, needs to have an action plan. You should know the date you want to have it completed.

How to Optimize

  • Use a calendar or project management software like Trello to divide the task up into chunks. If you have a project that will take a long time to complete, do some work on it each week.
  • Make sure each task has a detailed list of steps to take in order to reach the deadline. Break down big tasks into mini or micro tasks to keep from being overwhelmed.
  • Outsourcing work that is a drain on your time is another way to optimize your time. You’re freeing yourself up for other tasks, but your tasks are getting done. This works in both your personal and professional life as well. Hire someone to mow the lawn, run errands, or clean your house.
  • Clear distractions by closing any web browser tabs not necessary to the task you are doing. Close your inbox and log out of social media accounts. Silence notifications on your phone as well. Use an app like StayFocusd. This extension for Google Chrome restricts the amount of time you spend on time-wasting websites. The sites are blocked for a day after a certain amount of time has been used up.
  • Forget multitasking. Many people think they are good at multitasking but really, it diverts your focus into different directions. You get distracted and forget what you were doing on the first thing. It takes longer to get back into the flow of each task. Instead set up specific times to do each tasks, say check email at a specific time, social media updates another time, working on a project at another hour.

Improving Your Schedule

You can improve your schedule and increase your productivity in many ways.

  1. Optimize your space. Set up your space so work flows efficiently. Keep your desk organized and set up so you can easily access areas you use the most, set up your workout area in a way that works easily for your routine. Organize your cabinets and refrigerator to find healthy foods for recipes and snacks quickly. Remove clutter and unnecessary items. Having a clear, uncluttered area, in which to work and live, enables you to find what you need, when you need it. You’ll also spend less time moving things around that are in the way.
  2. Optimize your to-do list. Take time to write out your to-do list for each day. A good plan is to do this the night before, when you quit for the day. That way you know what you need to get done at a glance. Get strategic on how you use and create you lists. Keep your to-do list simple. List the most important 3 to 5 things to do that day. Having a list of 15 or more tasks can be overwhelming, making procrastination more tempting. Break bigger projects into small, actionable steps that you can track and incorporate into your day.
  3. Use Checklists. Checklists keep you moving on the right path. They help you organize your tasks for both long term and short-term goals. Checklists are good for helping you see exactly where you need to use your time and effort to be productive.
  4. Use systems to organize your tasks and time. Time blocking, the Pomodoro Technique, and batching are different types of productivity systems to keep you focused on one tasks at a time.

The Pomodoro technique works by helping you ignore distractions. You get focused on your tasks by working in short bursts, with short breaks in between. Use a timer set for 25 minutes. Focus exclusively on that task. Don’t switch between tasks, take a break, check social media, or look at your inbox. Once the timer goes off, take a break, ideally a quick 5 minutes. Set the timer for another 25 minutes and continue working. Continue with this system for as long as you need in order to finish your tasks for the day.  Implementing simple changes and organizing yourself can all have a big effect on how much time you have to use. The more you can optimize your time, the more productive you will be.

Apps to Help Optimize Your Time

Here is a list of 5 tools to help you utilize time management.

  1.  Toggl — Toggl is an easy to use app. It uses a time to track time spent on over 100 websites and applications you visit. You receive a visual report on what’s taking up your time.
  2. Workflow — Workflow allows you to customize and organize important tasks using colored tabs, so you can keep track of everything. It integrates with apps like Google Maps, Facebook, Dropbox and others.
  3. 1-3-5 — 1-3-5 helps you organize and prioritize tasks by breaking them down from one big thing down to three smaller things and finally into five small steps.
  4. 30/30 — This time management tool lets you set a specific time to various tasks. 30/30 is free and downloadable to any device.
  5. Evernote — Evernote is an app that keeps track of your thoughts, ideas, videos, links, lists, images, and audio recordings. With this app, you can sync with any of device.

Time Blocking

It’s easy to make the to-do lists, but what about actually doing the tasks? Sometimes we have so much going on that we get overwhelmed by it all. One way to master your tasks, especially big tasks, is to use the Time Blocking System of productivity.

What is time blocking?

 Time blocking is a type of scheduling tool that helps you manage your time better. You work in big or small tasks in a set amount of time. You block out chunks of time for things that you have to get done each day. It works well for both small tasks and big projects.

For example, if your project is to launch a new course. Instead of trying to do it all at once, you block out chunks of time for each part, say 30 minutes for niche research, 1 hour for outlining, and 2 hours for writing.

Time blocking isn’t about getting rid of your to-do lists; it’s about organizing your time according to priorities and making your to-do lists more manageable. Instead of working from a big, never ending, master to-do list, tackle those tasks with a specific time block (or several blocks for larger projects) that is more manageable. Having 3 items to a time block as opposed to a master list of 20 tasks makes the list easier control.

How To Time Block

  • Step 1: Plan what your most important tasks are. These will be your biggest time blocks. Then list smaller tasks that you need to do such as email or calling people. Don’t forget to add in personal tasks such as doctor appointments, lunch and relaxing time. Use notepad, an app like Evernote or pen and paper to make a list of the things you need to do for the week. Working on the Friday or Sunday before the upcoming week is a good time to do this.
  • Step 2: Schedule into blocks on your calendar. I recommend an online one like Google Calendar, or iCal that can send you notifications and is easily updated and changed if emergencies come up. Add your items to your calendar, dividing your time into 30-minute to 2 hour blocks. For example, maybe your most pressing task is to finish a project your launching in a few weeks. Block out two or three units for the week to work on the project.

Tips for Time Blocking

  • Each day will be different, maybe you handle calls on Tuesdays and Thursdays, do content creation on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons you work on other projects.
  • Remember to account for personal time and time to decompress –coffee breaks, lunch with the kids, booking vacation travel, and spending time on social media with friends.
  • Things will pop up that you don’t plan for. Don’t get flustered and think you have to change your calendar completely. Instead, if it’s really is needing your attention right now, go ahead and do it. Push your current task to the next available slot and then just carry on.
  • It’s not necessary to schedule short 5-minute things or reminders. Anything that’s going to take you 15 minutes or longer should go on the calendar.
  • At first, you may have trouble estimating how long a task will take. Schedule in a little extra time for those tasks. You can always adjust your calendar or move on to the next task.
  • Schedule big projects or tasks over multiple time blocks covering a few days.
  • Leave some blank space in your calendar every day for tasks that come up.

 Apps for Time Blocking

  1. Plan (Web, IOS), is a simple, powerful way to time block. It is a calendar and to-do list in one program. You can quickly set up blocks of time by priority and projects.
  2. Week Plan (Windows, iOS, Web), shows your schedule by the day, week or month and helps you plan all of your tasks according to what’s happening in your life. Week Plan is good for visual organizers.
  3. Time blocks work as a way to manage your time by breaking up tasks into small blocks of time. Instead of a long to-do list that never ends, working in time blocks takes those tasks and assigns them to a specific time to accomplish them.

Here’s What To Do Now

We’ve all done it. We start a task, get sidetracked by something, and then return to the task, only to have trouble getting stated again, or even remembering what we were trying to do in the first place. This often comes from not managing our time well. Poor time management is one of the top reasons we lack focus and don’t finish things on time.

Determining where you spend your time and how you might be wasting it is a very important step in gaining control over how you spend your time. Using apps such as Toggl or RescueTime will help you see where that time is going.

Once you know where you are wasting time, it’s time to put systems and tools into play. Time management and time blocking are a great way to mark out blocks of time for tasks you need to do each day. It’s a simple process and the tools needed are free. Using an online calendar program, like Google Calendar or iCal, you block out 30 minute to 2 hour blocks of time for specific tasks.

Prioritize your time. When you set up your time blocks, identify your highest priority and block that in first. Then work backwards to the lower-priority tasks. Don’t forget to block in time for social media, checking emails, and socializing with coworkers.

Block in time to decompress as well. This can be short 5 to 10 minute water break or a longer stretch to relax.

Another way to manage your time better is to have help on tasks you don’t enjoy or can’t do well. Outsourcing work frees up your time so you can put it to use on tasks you are better at. Hire a landscaper to take care of your lawn.

Delegate housekeeping duties, shopping, or anything else that be adequately done by someone else.

Use technology to help you be more efficient as well. Use apps for task management, to store lists and ideas, to manage time and keep you from wasting time. Turn off notifications on your phone and computer when you’re working on specific tasks. Knowing what you need to accomplish each day keeps you focused.

See our prior post on goal setting here.  By setting appropriate goals and utilizing time management tools, you will be successful in whatever endeavor you choose to set your mind to.

 

 

Time Management and Blocking: Can they help you? Read More »

Drawing and Painting: Differences & Choosing Your Path

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Drawing and Painting: Exploring the Differences and Choosing Your Artistic Path

Do you understand the differences between drawing and painting? Do you know when to use one form over the other? Keep reading here to learn more about drawing vs. painting.drawing

When you first start to create art, it may be that you start out with a blank piece of paper and a pencil or crayon.  You usually make art by making lines and/or coloring in between the lines.  We have all made these pictures.  Our mothers hung them on the refrigerator or on the wall when we brought them home from school.  This is our first foray into art.

Unfortunately, we do not get much opportunity to move past this stage in school until it is too late for most people.  We are all born creative, but for some reason, school seems to focus on other things and leaves art and creative processes out of the program.  When this happens, we may infer that art and creativity are not important or preferred and so we stuff our creativity so far down inside of ourselves that we may never find it again.

Why Drawing and Painting Help Us

The truth of the matter is that the world of art is a beautiful and fascinating place, full of countless mediums and techniques for self-expression, and creativity is the source for invention, science, math, beautification, prose, music, and more.  Without creativity we are doomed to live a boring life; doing the same thing over and over again every day. Whether the loss of creativity is purposeful or accidental, we all lose.

Let’s go back to the child in school example. If that child not only learns to make lines but to make other types of things, maybe that child will continue to explore his/her creativity later in life. The child who does not get exposed to art and art processes learns to ignore that part of themselves.

Types of visual artpainting

Two of the most popular and well-known forms of visual art are drawing and painting. While these two mediums may seem very similar at first glance, they actually have many differences that set them apart from one another. Drawing involves creating images using pencils, charcoal, ink, or other materials. This medium is often used to capture the essence of a subject through detailed lines and shading. On the other hand, painting involves applying pigment onto a surface using various brushes or tools. Painting allows artists to use color and texture to bring their ideas to life in vibrant and dynamic ways.

The Differences Between Drawing and Painting

While drawing and painting may share some similarities in terms of creativity and expression, understanding their differences can help artists make more informed decisions about which medium to use for different projects. For example, someone who wants to create a quick sketch or capture a moment in time might opt for drawing as it can be done quickly with minimal setup required. However, if an artist wants to create a more vibrant scene with multiple colors or textures, they might choose painting instead. 

By knowing which materials are best suited for each medium – such as different types of paper or canvases – new artists can feel more confident in experimenting with both drawing and painting without feeling overwhelmed by the choices available. Ultimately, whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting out on your creative journey, understanding the differences between drawing and painting can be an incredibly useful tool in helping you achieve your artistic goals.

Drawing

Drawing is the art of creating pictures, designs or diagrams using various tools such as pencils, charcoal, ink, or crayons on paper. It has been around for centuries and is one of the fundamental forms of visual art. The basic principle of drawing is to create an illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.drawing supplies

Drawing materials can range from simple graphite pencils to charcoal sticks or even pens and inks. Each material has its own unique characteristics that contribute to the final result of a drawing. Pencils are widely used because they come in different hardness levels which allows an artist to achieve various degrees of shading and line thickness. Charcoal provides a rich black tone and allows for quick shading while ink creates sharp lines that cannot be erased.

Benefits of drawing as a form of expression

more drawing supplies

Drawing can be a powerful form of expression allowing artists to convey their ideas or emotions through their creations. It can also serve as a stress-reliever by providing an outlet for creativity while promoting focus and relaxation. In addition, it improves hand-eye coordination which can help with other tasks such as handwriting or typing. Overall, drawing offers benefits both creatively and mentally making it an enjoyable hobby or profession for many people around the world.

Painting

Painting is a visual art form that involves applying paint and pigments to a surface, such as canvas or paper, using various tools and techniques. Unlike drawing, which uses dry materials like pencils or charcoal, painting allows for the application of wet media. This allows for an incredible range of creative expression through the use of color and texture.oil supplies

When it comes to painting, the choice of materials can have a big impact on the final result. Some popular options include acrylics, oils and watercolors. Acrylic paints are a great option for beginners because they are easy to work with and clean up easily with water. Oils, on the other hand, require longer drying times but offer greater flexibility when it comes to blending colors and achieving depth in your work. Watercolors offer a unique transparency that can be used to achieve delicate washes or bold strokes.painting supplies

One of the most exciting things about painting is the ability to blend colors together in endless combinations to achieve just the right hue or tone. Techniques like layering glazes or mixing paint directly on your palette can create rich textures that capture light and shadow in unique ways. Other techniques like dry brushing or impasto (using thick layers of paint) can add dimensionality to your work.

Benefits of Painting as a Form of Expression

Painting is a powerful way to express emotions, tell stories or explore concepts in ways that words cannot always capture. It allows us to tap into our imagination and create something truly unique from our own perspective. This process can also be meditative and calming – allowing us to disconnect from everyday worries and focus solely on creating something new.

How Each Medium Affects the Final Outcome

The medium used can greatly impact the final outcome of a piece. Drawings tend to have a more precise look with cleaner lines while paintings often have a softer feel due to blending techniques used with wet media. Drawings may also appear flatter due to lack of depth created by layering colors. Paintings can give off an illusion of three-dimensionality through careful color choices during layering. So you see, drawing and painting serve very different purposes and should be considered when you make art.comparison

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Medium

One advantage of drawing is that it tends to be less messy than painting since it doesn’t involve any wet media that could potentially ruin surfaces or clothing. It’s also easier to correct mistakes in drawing since erasers can be used. Mistakes on paintings often require completely repainting over areas.

Painting allows for greater creativity due to the availability of more colors and techniques. They can also add a greater sense of depth and texture to a piece, making it more visually interesting. However, painting can require more time and effort than drawing since it involves layering and mixing colors.

Drawing and painting both have their own advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately the choice of which to use comes down to personal preference, desired outcome, and time constraints.

Choosing Between Drawing and Painting

Now that we’ve discussed the differences between drawing and painting, it’s important to consider which medium to use in different situations. One of the most important factors to consider is time constraints. If you only have a short amount of time, drawing may be the better option as it requires fewer materials and doesn’t require as much preparation. On the other hand, if you have more time available, painting can allow for greater depth and dimension in your art. Another factor to consider when choosing between drawing and painting is your desired outcome.

If you’re looking for a more precise and detailed result, drawing may be the better choice as it allows for more control over lines and shading. However, if you’re looking for a more abstract or expressive result, painting can provide a wider range of color choices and techniques.

Personal preference should also play a role in deciding which medium to use. Try experimenting with both drawing and painting techniques to see which one feels most comfortable or enjoyable for you.

Tips for Beginners

If you’re just getting started with either drawing or painting, it can seem overwhelming at first. Here are some tips to help get you started:

For drawing: – Start with basic shapes like circles and squares before moving on to more complex images

– Experiment with different pencils (HB vs 2B vs 4B) for different shades – Practice shading techniques such as cross-hatching or stippling

For painting: – Invest in quality brushes and paints

– Start with a limited color palette before branching out – Experiment with different textures such as using sponges or palette knives

Remember that practice makes perfect! Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts don’t turn out how you’d like them too – keep practicing and experimenting until you find what works best for you.

Both drawing and painting offer a wide variety of benefits ranging from relaxation to problem-solving skills enhancement. However, exploring various art forms can lead to even more benefits such as self-discovery and creative exploration. Art is subjective; therefore every individual should try different forms until they find what brings them joy.

Some may prefer drawing because it allows them to control their work precisely while others may like painting because it’s more fluid and expressive. The most important thing is for budding artists not to be afraid but rather embrace new opportunities when presented so they can discover their hidden talents. Ultimately all art has value not only for its aesthetic value but also its ability to evoke powerful emotions within us. You should be drawing or painting for yourself and your own satisfaction, not for other’s acceptance.

Here are a couple of good articles that may help:

We discuss ways to loosen up your art style here. That may also be of interest to you.

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Tips to Loosen up your Art

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loosen up

If you are an artist you may need to loosen up your art work. You know it can be easy to get stuck in a rut and feel like your work is lacking energy or spontaneity. I frequently find myself trying to change my focus and loosen up my style.  It seems to be a never ending saga for me.  So I decided that if I have this problem, others probably do to. I recently tried doodling to change up and loosen up.  You can see that post here.

One way to break out of this is to try change up your style and approach to creating art and here are some tips to help you do just that:

Tips to Try:

 

Use larger tools:

Switching to larger brushes, pencils, or markers can encourage you to make bigger, more sweeping gestures that are less controlled than what you might create with smaller tools. Using larger tools can be a great way to break out of a rigid, controlled style and encourage more fluid, gestural marks. Here are a few examples of larger tools you can try using:large brushes

  • Bigger paintbrushes: Switching to a larger brush can help you make broader, more sweeping strokes that are less precise than what you might create with a smaller brush.  When you change to a larger brush, you find you are unable to get the detail that you can with your smaller brushes, but that is exactly what you are going for.  With big brushes, you can capture the big picture without all the detail.  Just that will definitely loosen up your work!
  • Large markers: Using large markers, such as chisel or broad-tipped markers, can help you create bold lines and blocks of color with minimal effort. This is a great way to experiment with graphic, abstract styles.
  • Charcoal sticks: Charcoal sticks come in a variety of sizes, including larger ones that can be used for expressive, sweeping marks. They’re also great for experimenting with different textures and blending techniques.
  • Wide-tip pens: Similar to large markers, wide-tip pens can be used to create bold, graphic lines and shapes with minimal effort. They’re particularly effective when used on smooth surfaces like paper or illustration board.

When working with larger tools, it’s important to remember that you may need to adjust your technique accordingly. Using larger tools may cause you to hold your implements differently and that may feel uncomfortable at first.  Artists everywhere claim that just by holding their paint brushes back toward the end of the handle helps them loosen up considerably.  You might try that first.

Embrace imperfection:imperfection

Remember that not every line needs to be perfect or precise. Let yourself make mistakes and embrace the happy accidents that occur when you’re not trying to be too precise. Some of the best artists alive will actually make errors on purpose just to create a sense of tension in the piece.  Perfection is not what you seek as an artist, if you want perfection, take a photograph.  You are trying to capture the mood, impression, or what you see when you look at something, not what actually presents itself.

Change your perspective:

Sometimes, getting out of your comfort zone and seeing things from a new angle can help you loosen up and create more freely. Here are some ways you can change your perspective:

  • Draw from life: Instead of drawing from a photograph or your imagination, try drawing from real life. This can help you see things from a new angle and capture the energy and movement of your subject.
  • Try a new medium: If you typically work with paint, try using markers or pastels. If you usually draw with pencils, try using charcoal or ink. Switching to a new medium can help you see your subject in a new way and create more spontaneously.
  • Work with a limited color palette: Instead of using every color in the rainbow, try working with a limited palette of three or four colors. This can help you focus on value and form, rather than getting caught up in the details.
  • Work on a new surface: Instead of using your usual sketchbook or canvas, try working on a new surface like toned paper, wood, or fabric. This can help you create marks that feel fresh and unexpected.
  • Draw with your non-dominant hand: This might sound counterintuitive, but drawing with your non-dominant hand can be a great way to loosen up and create more gestural marks. Because you’re not as comfortable or in control, you may be more likely to create marks that are spontaneous and expressive.

Work quickly:timer

Set a timer for a short amount of time (say, 5 or 10 minutes) and challenge yourself to create a complete piece of art within that timeframe. This will force you to work quickly and instinctively, without overthinking each detail and help you focus on the most important elements . Setting a timer can be a great way to create a sense of urgency and encourage more spontaneous, gestural marks. When you’re working against the clock, you may be more willing to take risks and try new things. Finally, working with a timer can help you develop a more efficient workflow, which can be helpful if you tend to get bogged down in the details.

  • Step back: Take breaks during the creative process to step back and look at your work from a distance. This can help you get a better sense of the overall composition and see where you might want to loosen up or add more energy.
  • Try a warm-up exercise: Before diving into a larger piece, try doing a quick warm-up exercise such as blind contour drawing or scribbling with a large marker. This can help you get into a looser, more relaxed mindset before tackling a more complex piece.
  • Use short bursts of time: If you don’t have a lot of time to devote to your art, try working in short bursts of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day. This can help you create more frequently and develop a habit of working regularly.
  • Try timed challenges: There are many online challenges and prompts that involve creating art within a set time limit. You can find many such opportunities online, or if that is not your thing, you can set up your own challenges to help you loosen up

Create a strong underpainting (This is your road map):

When you have a very strong and accurate underpainting, you can be more confident and adventurous with the brushstrokes that
you lay on top of it because you have a map to follow. Choose a color that complements the color combinations that will be placed on top of it.  This layer should be defining your subject. It will show light vs. dark and show crisp vs. loose to make your work easier for you.

 Just stop blending!

Walk away from the painting! Get yourself a cup of coffee. Run an errand. Just give yourself some time away so that you can come back to it with fresh eyes.  We all know the horror of creating mud by blending, and blending.  This one thing has ruined muddy colors

more artwork than any other.  You think if you just do one little thing more it will fix itself.  But the truth is you probably have already done too much. So, just stop.  Put your brushes down.  Walk away. Come back later with a better perspective.  This can sometimes save your work.

Remember, there’s no one “right” way to create art. Loosening up your style can be a great way to inject new life into your work. It will help you rediscover the joy of creating. Art is totally subjective and it really doesn’t matter if anyone else likes it.  If you get satisfaction and pleasure from it, you have done a great job.  We should not be painting for acceptance from others, rather we paint because it feeds our souls

Ali Kay

and makes us happy.  That is enough.

Here is an artist you may find helpful in your pursuit of loose brush strokes: Ali Kay Studio on YouTube. Her work is beautiful but is not tight and detailed.  She has paint-alongs on her channel that are fun and easy.  She is a very good teacher and explains her process so anyone can understand it.

 

Sandi Hester

Another great artist to check out is Sandi Hester on YouTube.  Her work is very loose and fun.  She just goes with what she feels and sees when painting and it turns out beautifully.

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How to deal with the fear in creating art

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People who create have to deal daily with fears–fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the blank page, fear of running out of ideas, fear that others will not like their art, etc.  With all of these fears, it is a wonder that any art gets made.

Creating art is a vulnerable experience. You pour your creativity, emotions, and time into your work, only to put it out into the world and wonder: will anyone like it? Will they appreciate my vision? What if they don’t? These fears can be paralyzing, but they don’t have to be. Here are some ways to deal with the fear that others will not like your art:

Remember that art is subjectivedeal with the fear

In the article, “3 Reasons People Don’t Like Your Art (and How to Deal)”,  the author talks about the fact that sometimes people just aren’t ready, or they saw it too early in the process, or it just isn’t their thing. What one person loves, another may hate. That’s the beauty of art – it’s subjective and open to interpretation. Just because someone doesn’t like your art doesn’t mean it’s not good or that it doesn’t have value. It just means that person doesn’t connect with it in the same way you do.

Focus on the process, not the outcomedeal with the fear

Instead of fixating on whether others will like your art or not, focus on the joy of creating it. Embrace the process, experiment, and enjoy the act of creating. When you focus on the process, you can detach from the outcome, which can ease the pressure and allow you to create without fear.

Remember the reasons you created in the first place.  Does creating bring you joy? Then create.  Does creating bring you feelings of relief from stress? Then create. Does creating help you distance yourself from daily anxieties? Then create.  The process is what art is about, not the finished outcome.  Creating is an act of self-love and self-compassion; you do it for yourself and if other like or dislike it, that is for them to decide.

Surround yourself with supportive peopleseek support

Surround yourself with people who appreciate and support your art. This can include family, friends, mentors, or other artists. They can provide encouragement, constructive feedback, and a safe space to share your work without fear of judgment.

In the article, “11 Things That Scare Creative Artists (and what you can do about it)” the author lists 11 things with proactive responses to help you over the problems.  One thing in this article talks about the myth that creating art is a solitary experience, “We believe, since we are artists, we have to do it all on our own. What other occupation is so opposed to help from others? What makes us so different from the rest of the world? The answer is, nothing. If we want to take our art and career to the next level, we need the help of others. “

Yes, you usually create alone, but it isn’t required.  Many people chose to join groups of other artists to work in a shared space and give each other support and critiques.  There is no reason you should not include friends, family members, of customers in your space to share in your creating.  There are so many groups on Facebook now that you can join and show your work for support and critiques that there is no reason to feel alone anymore. With support, you will learn to deal with the fear of creating.

Build your confidenceBuilding Confidence

Building your confidence can help you overcome the fear of rejection. Practice self-care, celebrate your successes (no matter how small), and remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments. The more confident you feel, the more resilient you will be when faced with rejection.

In the article, “Overcoming the Fear of Rejection: A Guide for Artists”  the author discusses why fear of rejection is a major problem for creatives and it breaks it down into 3 concrete steps to help you  deal with the fear this obstacle causes. Not everyone is going to see your art the way you do and that has to be okay with you.  If you have confidence in your work, negative comments will not bother you at all.  You will be able to see your art from their perspective and that may help you grow as an artist.  You need to be open to trial and error, experimentation, failure, success, and all the other experiences that come to you when you create art.

Embrace rejection as part of the processembracing rejection

Rejection is inevitable in the creative process and we need to deal with the fear.  It’s not a reflection of your worth or talent as an artist. Instead of avoiding rejection, embrace it as a part of the process. Learn from it, use it to improve your craft, and keep creating. Everyone gets rejected at some time or another.  You don’t die.  You don’t have to go hide in a cave.  You get over it and move past it.  You, as a creative, need rejection to grow.

Embrace it as a learning opportunity even though it may hurt your feelings, or make you question what you are doing.  Try to see the artwork through the eyes of the rejector.  Ask questions like “what don’t you like about it?”, or “are there any parts that you do like?”.  Getting this information will help you see that they are not rejecting you personally. That is a big problem we have as creatives–not being able to separate our person from the art piece.  We put so much of ourselves into our work that it seems impossible to be impartial about it.  Learn how to separate the you from the work so you can embrace rejection and grow.

Take risksRisk taking

Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and taking risks can be scary, but it can also lead to growth and new opportunities. Try new techniques, experiment with different mediums, or create something that feels outside of your usual style. When you take risks, you may surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.

In the article, “10 Biggest Fears For Creatives And Ways To Overcome Them “ the author lists 10 fears that every creative has to overcome with positive action steps to take.  Once you recognize those fears in yourself and you free yourself from them, you will be able to take those risks that creating new work entails.

self-care

As artists, the worst thing that can happen is for you to become stuck in one pattern of work.  There is no growth when you keep creating the same thing over and over again.  Once you have learned all that pattern has to offer you, you need to risk moving on to something new and different.

Remember  that we all have these fears and we all struggle.  Sometimes knowing that helps you deal with it better.  Just keep creating, no matter the fears, and remember that what you are feeling is normal.  You are a creative person and you need to create to be healthy and sane.  Just keep creating! Remember to do your self-care.  You can read more about how to do that here.

 

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Breaking Bad Habits: Planning for Setbacks

Leave a Comment / goal setting /

Being ready for setbacks is necessary and in today’s post we are talking about what to do when you have a goal. And as you work toward it, something can happen and you slide backwards.  This will happen, no matter what the goal.  Reaching your goals is a process, not a done deal.  You need to plan for and expect that setbacks will occur.  Breaking bad habits can be a challenging and often frustrating process. It can be easy to fall off the wagon and revert to old habits. But it’s vital to remember that setbacks are a normal part of the process and can actually be an opportunity for growth and improvement.

Here are several steps you can take to plan for setbacks and get back on track:

 

Forgive Yourself

It’s important to be kind to yourself when you experience a setback. Don’t beat yourself up or dwell on the mistake. Instead, recognize that it’s a normal part of the process and move on.

Take a Break

Sometimes a setback happens just because you’re overworking yourself. Often you can put things right by going for a walk, or working on something else and coming back to the issue with a clear mind. Planning for frequent breaks will help you minimize the number of setbacks you experience.

Evaluate What Happened

Take some time to reflect on what led to the setback. For example, did you have a particularly stressful day that made it harder to stick to your habits? Did you get caught up in a social situation that made it difficult to resist temptation? Understanding the root cause and triggers surrounding the setback will help you develop strategies to prevent it from happening again.

Set Specific and Achievable Goals

Clear goals keep you focused and motivated as you overcome setbacks. Be sure to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). You can learn about this at almost any university website, like this one in Minnesota.

Be Flexible and Adaptable

Setbacks are a normal part of life. It’s vitally important to be flexible and adaptable in the face of them. If something isn’t working, be willing to adjust your plan and try something new.

Find Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Stress majorly contributes to setbacks, so it’s imperative to find healthy ways to manage it. Choose healthy options that are proven to work, like exercise, meditation, or talking to a therapist.

Restart

Don’t let a setback discourage or derail your progress entirely. Instead, use it as an opportunity to start fresh. Set a new goal and make a plan to achieve it. Don’t worry about how long it will take – just focus on taking small steps in the right direction.

Seek Support

It is helpful to have someone to talk to when trying to break a bad habit. A friend or family member who is supportive and understanding can encourage and help you stay motivated. You can also consider joining a support group or working with a coach or therapist to help you overcome your challenges.

Stay Positive

Getting discouraged during a setback is common, but staying positive and focusing on your progress is important. Remember that change takes time, and it’s okay to have setbacks along the way.

 

 

 

Planning for setbacks is an important part of breaking bad habits. You can overcome setbacks and progress towards your goals by forgiving yourself, evaluating what happened, restarting, and seeking support. So don’t get discouraged – keep moving forward, and you’ll live a better life through positive habits sooner than you think.

We have talked about goal setting previously and you can find that here.  You can also get a goal planner here.

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Doodles for Creativity?

Leave a Comment / Art, Art Journaling /

Yesterday, I was watching a video about doodles, and saw an artist explaining her process for doodling on top of her painted papers.  Her work was beautiful and I was very inspired to try her method.  It did not look very hard and did not look like I needed to be ultra-talented to make something beautiful myself.  I sat at my art table and applied watercolor in splotches all over the paper and then waited for that to dry.  She said to Google “patterns” to find things to use to put on your painting, so I tried that but did not really find anything useful.  I remembered that somewhere I had a Zentangle book so I frantically looked for it.  I found one but not the one I was looking for. Oh well.

When my paper was dry, I began by using waterproof ink marker and doodled circles of various sizes and placements on my paper.  Then I started doodling on the painting.  At first, it was really hard to focus and to decide what and where to put my doodles.  After about 15 minutes of this, I started to relax and get into this process.  It was like meditation.  I just doodled around the paper, adding color here and there.  I was shocked when I saw that I had been doing this for 2 hours!  It felt like 10 minutes.

This process was very enjoyable and I plan to continue.  There are several articles online that say doodling is a gateway to your creativity; I have to agree with them on that. If you just put pen to paper and just make doodles, you will zone out eventually and your creativity will take over.  I hope you try this out for yourself to see how enjoyable this process is.

So, here is a picture of my piece:My Doodles

 

Here are the videos I watched:

 

and here,

 

I hope you try this out for yourself.  I am going to make another today, just for fun!

If you like this, check out my art journaling post here.

 

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