Last week I wrote about the internal challenges that threaten our creative output. I’m not going to dwell here on the internal challenges; those obstacles are better dealt with in conversation with a therapist or coach.
We all need consistent patience and compassion to keep going when the emotions rise up and threaten to derail us from writing our book or blog. But you can do it.
I have found the following three things are vital in managing the emotions that accompany writing or any creative work.
1. A physical practice. Walking, running, dancing, yoga, tennis, weight lifting— whatever you do, do it regularly. Being in your body and using exercise as a way to get out of your head and work things through will help keep you grounded and sane.
2. Support from your creative tribe. Being around others who are also working on their creative projects is vital to staying on track. Ideally you will have a community of people working in your medium, but it’s also helpful to be around artists working in other forms. Conversations with other creative types will fuel you and help you process the emotions that surface.
3. A clear sense of your motivation. Without clarity on why you are working on a project, you won’t have the stamina to stick it out through tough times. Knowing your motivation for finishing will give you more stick-to-itiveness than you can imagine.
The clients I work with who have these three pieces struggle much less than those who don’t. The work of writing is already difficult enough; make it easier by ensuring you have these three vital pieces.
What helps you navigate the challenges between you and the finish line?
This post is excerpted from Cross the Finish Line: Five Steps to Leap Over the Hurdles to Completion. This and other guides for being a creative superhero are available at Original Impulse through November 30th, 2012. After that, they’re gone. Poof!
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