[box] This is a post by the new Creativity writer here at asmithblog.com, Vincent Russell. Vince is a blogger with a passion to inspire creativity and pursuit of one’s dreams. Read more from him at his own blog, thevincerussell.com. [/box]
Can you relate?
Do you ever feel like you cannot make time for the things you really want to pursue? Good. I was hoping I was not the only one.
Even as I sit here on my couch, typing away on my MacBook Pro, I’ve found myself distracted by a commencement speech video on Facebook, another blogger’s website, and of course, my iPhone.
Distractions can become time-vampires and along with the added weight of obligations or commitments, these things begin to eat away at our valuable time like a bad Twilight saga.
Hi! My name is Overcommitment. It is nice to meet you!
Consider overcommitment for a moment. Does it not distract us from our creative projects?
For some of us, we have a problem with saying “no”. We overcommit ourselves. We often feel bad if we tell someone we cannot do something. This can present a problem for creatives as we feel we can take on the world one task sandwich at a time.
We find ourselves trying to tackle so many things at once or so many things during a regular week that the things we are personally passionate about get pushed to the wayside. Because of that, we often have feelings of insecurity. Insecurity that tells us we are not good enough to do the things we want to do. Insecurity that may tell us we cannot complete something our heart desires. You get the idea.
There comes a time when you will have to simply say “no”. That does not make you a bad person or a bad friend or coworker. It just means you are trying to avoid pulling out all of your hair. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Let that last sentence sink in for a moment.
Make time for what matters most.
“You can’t wait for inspiration; you have to go after it with a club” – Jack London
So how in the world do we make time for creativity? It’s actually quite simple.
Here are two things that I have found that work for me. I understand everyone may have different opinions or different approaches, so please take the following advice with an open mind.
1. Replace something unnecessary with something necessary.
For me this was television shows. I got rid of cable television almost a year ago. I used to spend so much time watching TV shows that were doing nothing to better myself as a person. I can recall countless hours spent wasting away in front of the TV. I won’t lie, I still have one show that I watch on regular programming, but it is only once a week, for one hour. Now my goal, even after a year, has been to replace that television time with reading. I feel that reading keeps our minds active and helps us become more knowledgeable or even more creative.
What is something you could replace?
2. Find the will to make the time.
Do you enjoy writing, video editing, photography, graphic design, blogging, et cetera? Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, but keep putting off, you must make time for it. When, during the day, are you most aware and productive? Some people find themselves most aware in the early morning. If that’s you, can you sacrifice 30 minutes of sleep to tackle those creative ideas? I think you can, but you have to think you can.
For me, I am indubitably, undoubtedly, without question not a morning person. The time in which I feel I am most creative is in the afternoon and that works for me. Once you find that time that works for you, do whatever you possibly can to be productive during that time frame. If you have to sacrifice sleep, do it. Whatever it is, make time for what matters.
“In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the time but the will that is lacking.” – John Lubbock
Finding time to be creative presents itself as a difficult task; however, if you want something bad enough, you will make it happen. I challenge you this week to find 30 minutes out of the entire week to be creative. Do you love to paint? Head on over to Hobby Lobby or Michael’s, buy a canvas, and slap some paint on there. Do you love to shoot photos? Grab your iPhone or Android and snap a picture of a classic car or the flowers in your yard.
Then just get creative with whatever it is that you are doing or making. You will be amazed at how wonderful you feel knowing you accomplished your goal.
What goal do you have for this week?
Love this first post, Vincent. My biggest priority this week outside of the normal stuff is to match or exceed my new weekly writing word count- 3000 words. Stretching myself, but it’s as good as done.
That’s awesome, Adam. What a great goal to have. What’s even better is when we accomplish those goals. Thank you again for the kind words.
Hi Vincent…so timely! I am so overcommitted right now. I work and am trying to launch an online informational product business. You know the drill…build an audience, engage them, guest post, write posts for your own blog, work on the product, write a book, etc. etc. I have lots of stuff that I’ve left by the wayside that I love to do…sewing, quilting, knitting, watercolor painting. But those things feed my soul as well and I need to take a break so I can refuel. Your post reminded me to do that. Thanks!
That’s so cool! You can achieve whatever it is that you’ve put your mind to. Just think, whenever you make time for the things you love to do, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle the business side of your endeavors!
Wow, what a way to come out the gate Vince! Welcome to the team!
I can definitely resonate with you on watching less TV. I am only sticking to one show and devoting the rest of my time to blogging, reading, and family time.
It’s easy to commit and get too many pans in the fire when there are so many tempting opportunities out there. I’ve begun offloading some myself just to focus on what matters to me the most.
Thanks Leo! It’s an honor to be a part of this team! I think you’re heading down the right path to success. That’s awesome!
**Hands raised and waving**
Struggling with this!! Timely post, thanks Vincent!
The BIG goal I have this week is to finish all aspects of my eBook, The Family Leader’s Manifesto. I have some editing, layout, and formatting to do (or have done), and I need the cover design to be finalized.
That’s a great goal to have. You have been given the ability to do just what it will take to make it happen!
Vincent!
Sooooooo timely. I particularly related to that link between insecurity and overcommittment. You feel insecure because you are not doing those things that get your creative juices flowing which makes you wonder if you are really effective. Thanks!
Welcome to the team!
Thank you, Julia! It’s an honor to be a part of the team!
Vincent,
Great post! I’m just finishing a week off of personal social media, and that was my biggest discovery…time wasters. So now I’m asking myself: what are the time wasters I rely on and when am I most drawn to them? This is very insightful and timely for me. But really, you HAVE to tell us the one show you will watch. It’ll bug me all week, and that’s a lot of wasted time to be responsible for!
Thanks again!
-Whitney
I think for a lot of us, social media is a HUGE time waster – so you’re not alone there! Ha! I had one other person ask what the show was. I’ll be glad to tell you, as I don’t want to be responsible for you wasting time worrying! 🙂 Blacklist! It comes on tonight after The Voice!
Oh I watch the Blacklist on demand. I can’t ever catch it. It is a good show. Yeah social media is a huge time waster. In fact I know someone who password on a social site is TIMEWASTER! Lol
Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for reading it!