Being creative is hard work and the struggle is real. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or designer; whether you do it for your own pleasure or to make a living, maintaining motivation for your work is one of the hardest parts of creative work. It’s particularly difficult in today’s world where often profit and productivity are valued over passion.
I’ve found myself at times thinking that my creative impulses were more of a burden than a blessing. Why can’t I just be happy with a simple life? You know, work a mundane job that pays the bills and relax in my off time, read for fun only, watch tv, or play video games. But my mind won’t let me relax when there are stories to write, artwork to create, and all the other million creative projects that I need to work on. All while my inner critic tells me everything I do sucks and questions why I bother. If that sounds draining, it’s because it is.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hard part and forget to enjoy being creative. Thankfully, a little gratitude goes a long way to restoring motivation. Here are a few ways I drum up some appreciation for my creativity.
Think of creative work as something you GET to do.
Oftentimes, we find ourselves talking about all the things we have to do associated with our creative work. The thought of having to do something makes it unappealing, no matter how much you want to do it. Not sure where the idea originated but I’ve heard a few people advocate reframing the idea of work as something you get to do. It’s a simple change that emphasizes an attitude of appreciation. Just imagine how much better, “I get to write for an hour today” feels versus “I have to write for an hour today.”
Revisit your inspiration
Taking time to revisit the artists that first inspired you is an easy way to boost morale. When you’re in the thick of it and struggling to do the work, it’s easy to forget why you even started in the first place. That’s when it’s time to go back and spend some time appreciating the work of the artists that prompted you to pick up the pen, paintbrush, needle, etc.
Imagine how you’ll feel when your project is complete.
When you feel really stuck and totally unmotivated, visualize yourself finishing the project. Paint a vivid picture of what your completed project looks like and how you’ll feel when it’s done. Think about how happy or accomplished you’ll feel and how other people will respond to it. Take it as far as you can, imagining getting positive feedback, compliments and appreciation for all your hard work. I know this might sound a little too power of positive thinking and manifest your dreams tactic but trust me and give it a try. No, dreams don’t come true because you visualize them, but it might motivate you to do the work.
While it might just sound like a trendy self-help fad, we all benefit from practicing gratitude more consistently. It’s pretty obvious that taking time to appreciate the good things in life make it more enjoyable. I’ve included a couple reading recommendations below if you want to learn more techniques for cultivating gratitude and how it will improve any area of life.
Recommended reading
- Wake Up Grateful by Kristi Nelson
- The Gratitude Diaries by Janice Kaplan
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