“Ideas are like fish. If you want to catch little fish, you can stay in the shallow water. But if you want to catch the big fish, you’ve got to go deeper. Down deep, the fish are more powerful and more pure.They’re huge and abstract. And they’re very beautiful.” ~David Lynch
One of the main obstacles to going deep with creativity is GETTING STARTED.
Three of the most effective ways to bust through this obstacle :
1. Small steps - Break things down so small, that starting not only feels kind, but it has an enticing energy and is EASY. We are a culture that loves "easy."
Rev up your desire by having quick success experiences.
Write short three line poems or haikus (5-7-5) for quick success and a heightened desire to continue finding creative outlets. Set a timer and see how many you can write in 5 minutes. Go for quantity, then edit later:
plate of moonlight.
follow it's westward journey.
serve with lunacy
november's here now,
turning seasons never stop
to ponder worries.
Write a list of descriptions of characters doing something.
"Edna Earle could sit and ponder all day on how the little tail of the C got through the L in a Coca-Cola sign." ~Anne Tyler
"Joan had a special moment each time her digital clock showed a consecutive number such as 11:12." ~Diane Scott
"Just as some people impulsively give themselves haircuts at home when they get frustrated with their hair, she gave herself a quick lobotomy because one of her personalities was unkempt." ~Jill Badonsky
Do this whether you are a visual artist or a writer. You may discover new inspiration that wants to go somewhere else in the form of visuals or writing.
Try one.
For indulgences in quick prompts an captions daily that shape cleverness, join me on Facebook.
Artists: Take 5 minutes to expose yourself to something you think might trigger an idea for you with going into comparison. Surf the net, walk in nature with expectancy, listen to a song, ask a question and open a book, right now: look around-list 5 images that would like to be altered into something new.
Once you have broken through the resistance, you will find that staying with the momentum is easier.
2. Lower your expectations:
Give yourself permission to be a beginner each time you start.
Give yourself permission to purposely do mediocre stuff. Soon the fact that you are in action will give way to skill, quality, flow and enjoyment.
3. Make it easy to show-up:
Show up with me every Friday morning at 8 am pacific time. I'll be working on my writing, and will hold the space for you to work on whatever you have been putting off. It's free. Sign-up here.
Find the structure and energy of a group. Check out Novel Writing Month and take a full-throttle leap.