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Your Creative Intentions: The Monday Post ~ September 15, 2014

Doris Lessing 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.

7 Comments Post a comment
  1. It’s timely that I caught your quote today…because just last Friday I signed up for my first soap making class (and took it yesterday) after years of thinking, “I’ll get to it someday.” I only did it because I told a couple of friends about this vague interest of mine and they pressured me to get on it, NOW. I kept waiting for that thunderbolt but realized that maybe sometimes a quiet nagging interest should be enough for me to at least give something a whirl. So I guess my plan for this week is to research supplies and order them.

    September 15, 2014
    • That’s awesome, Cecilia! Did you get your supplies ordered? 🙂

      September 22, 2014
  2. Last week’s intentions: Getting up on time, journaling each morning, hitting my quota for billable hours each day, going for a midday walk Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri. Writing for two hours on Friday.

    My results were a mixed bag; I did adjust to the new schedule, almost hit my billable hour quota every day, and went for two walks. Did not write. I did, however, spend some time writing out my goals and getting committed to what I want to accomplish before the end of 2014. I also finished creating binder labels for all of my past Project Life albums.

    This week:
    * Daily journaling
    * Daily billable hours quota
    * Following No S Diet
    * Walks on at least four days
    * Writing blocks x2
    * Evening reading

    Secondary:
    * Project Life sesson

    September 15, 2014
  3. I started out small, trying to set realistic intentions because I’ve been sick and my energy’s been really low. So last week, my goal was just to write and/or sketch at the park on my lunch hour on Tuesday and Thursday, and I did it! I jump-started my creative process, I hope. So this week, I am setting my intention to:

    (1) write and/or sketch at the park on Tues/Thursday; and
    (2) do a minimum of 5 sun salutations Mon/Wed/Friday.

    September 15, 2014
    • Good for you, Lisa! How did last week go?

      September 22, 2014
  4. maureen #

    Hello,
    Last week I intended to write a few pages on the power of no”. because of the frequent requests for free art from me for art auction fundraisers. I did not get to it but a friend gave me a good line
    ” sorry, I have already donated my allotment for this year but yes keep me in mind for next year” , I get to decline and say yes to something…
    last week Delivered art to gallery – check
    went to 2 yoga classes – check
    got heart block sewn – check
    spent three days on ribbon tree insertion for wall sculpture that was delivered.
    so now this week
    *yoga class twice
    *embroider on heart block quilter group name and date
    *attend quilt meeting
    *skip the donuts and pasteries
    *begin to paint office

    September 16, 2014
    • What a great line, Maureen. And you had such a productive week! Looking forward to your next update.

      September 22, 2014

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