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Your Creative Intentions: The Monday Post ~ April 21, 2014

Pablo Picasso quote

A regular creative practice — a daily practice, if possible — is key to staying in touch with how you make meaning. Key to living, not postponing. (Let’s all agree to give up on “someday.”)

What are your plans for creative practice this week? Given the specifics of your schedule, decide on a realistic intention or practice plan — and ink that time in your calendar. The scheduling part is important, because as you know, if you try to “fit it in” around the edges, it generally won’t happen. An intention as simple as “I will write for 20 minutes every morning after breakfast” or “I will sketch a new still life on Wednesday evening” is what it’s all about. If appropriate, use time estimates to containerize your task, which can make a daunting project feel more accessible.

Share your intentions or goals as a comment to this post, and let us know how things went with your creative plans for last week, if you posted to last week’s Monday Post. We use a broad brush in defining creativity, so don’t be shy. We also often include well-being practices that support creativity, such as exercise and journaling.

Putting your intentions on “paper” helps you get clear on what you want to do — and sharing those intentions with this community leverages the motivation of an accountability group. Join us!

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If you’re an artist or writer with little ones, The Creative Mother’s Guide: Six Creative Practices for the Early Years is the essential survival guide written just for you. Concrete strategies for becoming more creative without adding stress and guilt. Filled with the wisdom of 13 insightful creative mothers; written by a certified creativity coach and mother of five. “Highly recommended.” ~Eric Maisel. 35 pages/$11.98. Available for download here.

13 Comments Post a comment
  1. I love the idea of scheduling creative time, but I find it very challenging to have an sense of productivity (or fulfillment) in short bursts. For example, 20 minutes into writing, I would feel like I’m just getting started, defining where I want to take a piece, but most likely not making quantifiable progress towards the finished product. Then I feel more frustrated than if I never even sat down to write !

    Is there a secret to making the mosts of short, creative bursts?

    April 21, 2014
    • You’re not alone in feeling that way, momcloset! If you’re able to do multiple short bursts daily (or at least once every day), you’ll be less frustrated. You’ll be writing in your head throughout the day and will hit the ground running during your short sprint. Bear in mind that this practice doesn’t need to last forever; as soon as your schedule (children and work) allows, you can schedule a longer session for early morning or in the evening.

      If there’s any secret, it’s regularity.

      Meanwhile, remember that 20 minutes may not feel like much, but 20 minutes daily adds up to more than two hours a week. Two hours a week is 104 hours a year. Does 104 hours of writing add up to something? Yes.

      April 22, 2014
      • A wonderful way to look at it! I’m motivated 🙂

        April 22, 2014
  2. It’s been a while since I last thought of my creative practice due to the long break I had. So here I am, trying something yet again.

    *No Facebook for a week
    *Daily Bible Reading
    *Daily Novel Reading (currently: Everyday by David Levithan)
    *Daily drawing (practicing what I do best)
    *Daily Writing (anytime, throughout the day)
    *Daily two consumable hours playtime with Sieg
    *Daily self-assessment
    *Daily checking in with goals, plans, and business plans

    thanks for this Miranda. ALways, you’re an inspirer. 😀

    April 21, 2014
    • Wonderful list, Jennifer! I love the facebook hiatus. Here’s to an awesome week!

      April 22, 2014
      • Thanks Miranda! Hoping to survive with the Facebook thing! XD

        April 22, 2014
  3. jacqueverse #

    I love “giving up on ‘someday'” that’s so awesome!

    April 21, 2014
  4. Bead Charmer Girl #

    I enjoyed reading your post! The Picasso quote is wonderful. I wrote about creative renewal on my blog today. I’m looking forward to trying some of your suggestions. Thanks!

    April 21, 2014
    • Nice post, Nancy! Great to see you here.

      April 22, 2014
  5. This week I am starting a new design course and committing to sketching or painting every day. I am a firm believer in the importance of daily creative activity, I have just let myself fall out of the habit and it is time to start again.

    April 22, 2014
  6. This week I’m on the West Coast visiting colleges with my daughter — having an awesome trip, fully enjoying this time alone with my daughter, and loving the break from house-staging work. Lots of creative stimulus here!

    April 22, 2014

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