Inspiration and focus: two constantly battling siblings.
Inspiration is the fickle sister in the creative process. She shows up often, demanding attention, then flits off, rarely staying to see her inspiration to completion.
No doubt you have felt the heady breath of inspiration in your ear. You may hurry toward the vision that she showered upon you only to lose interest, tickled perhaps by another visit from inspiration.
How to harness the thrill of a new idea and carry it to completion?
Focus is the responsible sister in the creative process. She requires that we shut out distractions. She shuns worry and fears. With a firm hand, she invites us to step into the magical act of creating.
We don’t really like her until we’re deep into the writing. Then we love her, call her flow, and never want to leave her.
How to stay committed to the one that gives so much?
Are you often torn between these two siblings of the creative process? Does this battle make it hard to get anything done?
My clients and students struggle to find the focus to sit down and do their best creative work. It’s getting more and more difficult for all of us to focus our attention. Our focus is pulled in hundreds of directions every day. E-mails, social media, work, creative projects, food, relationships, all demand our attention.
Doing big work like writing a book or completing a body of art work demands tremendous focus. I’ve helped my clients discover what works to wrangle their attention to what matters. Here’s what we practice that helps us get our important work done.
1. Capture inspiration. When other ideas show up demanding your attention, make note of them in a separate notebook or file. Appreciate your enthusiasm and return to your main project. If you capture them, your ideas will be there later.
2. Get regular. Dedicate a specific time and place to work on your project. If a regular routine isn’t possible, make consistency your goal. Consistently put the important work first on your agenda.
3. Announce your intention. Let your people know what you are up to. Request that they honor your intention to focus and complete your book, giving you what space and time you need. Telling them “I’m on deadline,” helps you stay on track and lets them know you’re serious about your book.
4. Know your truth. Stay connected to your motivation for writing the book. This will help you make choices to honor your long-term commitment.
5. Get support. Who else has done what you want to do? Who is doing it now? A buddy, a friend in the same boat, or a coach (or all three!) can help you stay aligned with your vision.
6. Pay attention to your attention. Notice the impact different acts have on your focus. Social media time or internet wandering dissipates our focus. When we start our day turned out to the world, wrestling our focus back to our projects can be difficult.
What helps you develop a good working relationship between these two siblings in the creative process? Leave a comment below and share what works for you.
And if you found this article useful, share it with your friends so they can create more easily, too!
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