Do you struggle to find enough time to create?

[Dan Goodwin]

One of the most common issues I hear about as a creativity coach is struggling to find enough time to create the projects we want to create.

Which of these sound familiar to you?

> Creative time just for me is self indulgent and self centred.

> There's no point starting a creative project unless I have a huge chunk of time available to really get into the flow of it.

> There's never a time when SOMEONE or other isn't breathing down my neck making demands on my time.

> The occasions when I do find I have a bit of free time, I'm never in the right mood to create.

> Even if I do find an hour or two to start something, I never know when I'll have any free time again to finish it.

I'd like to get your personal input on this area of creativity.

So, here are two questions, please share your thoughts about each with us as a reply below...

1. What’s the biggest reason you don't have time to create, the one that keeps coming up over and over again?

2. How would your creative life be different if you did have more time to create, all the time you needed?

[Jean]

Good Questions, Dan!

I think that a lack of focus is the main reason that I don't make time to create. I've had the tendency in the past of having too many projects going on at once. Then I feel overwhelmed and unorganized, and I tell myself that I'll just create later. Of course, later becomes much later, and then the creating just doesn't happen.

There's one other big thing that's prevented me from creating in the past...perfectionism! I've made some really big changes in that area recently. I've allowed myself to start small (and far from perfect), while reminding myself that we all have to start somewhere and that nothing is EVER going to perfect anyway! With that attitude, I've been able to create a blog and an Etsy shop within the last year. It's been really exciting watching them both grow slowly, and I've become much more willing to take on other creative endeavors that I never thought would possible! And as more "good" things happen in my creative life, I feel even more inspired to keep going! I guess that pretty much answers the second question :)

PS....the community here on CCS has been a HUGE part of my growth! Thank you sooo much for this place to learn and grow creatively!!

[Dan Goodwin]

Thanks Jean for highlighting two big issues - Focus and Perfectionism. We all struggle with this to different degrees and they're all interconnected, in this case with finding time to create too.

Congratulations on your progress!

The blog and Etsy shop are great steps forward, and will lead to so much more for you. The more of these things you do, the easier they become. And the more different outlets you have online, the more people will find you. And there will always be people who love your art and what you have to say, we just have to make it as easy as possible for people to find us. : )

[Lin Neiswender]

1. I hate it when I have too many "must do's" pulling at me at the same time, sucking up all my time and leaving none for creativity. I don't know what it is possible to put off or even cut to get some create time.
2. I would be so relieved at being able to create at a relaxed pace, instead of the frantic ones I usually work at. But then, I do need some deadlines to stimulate me.

[Dan Goodwin]

I think that's a dilemma, in no 2. We each work out what works best for us, sometimes we create best with a chunk of time put aside specifically for creating, other times we need deadlines or some other pressure. Personally I like both, for different projects and different reasons.

One of my mantras, as I'm sure you're familiar with, is create a little each day. I used to think there was no point starting anything unless I had a free half day or something. I know that, for example, setting aside half an hour a day to write an article will in the long term gain me hundreds of new readers and followers. But give me a whole day free just to write articles and I wouldn't be anywhere near as productive, the most I've written is 6 or 7.

[Becca Allison]

Ah, the eternal problem for creative people! I was going to say women, but I really don't know how it is from a guy's point of view. I can only speak from the wife-mother-worker angle. My darling husband and grown sons would, if I let them, cheerfully and unwittingly soak up all my spare time. The key phrase is "if I let them".
Gradually I have come to realize that I have to simply tell them that I am going to be working on my writing and I need to be left alone. They respect that. It was I who had the problem, thinking that I had to do everything for everybody, and then resenting them! It wasn't fair to them or me.
Of course I still want to keep a clean house, so I have learned to let them do a lot of it. They do quite well.
I also find that if I have a lot I need to get done, I get efficient. So keeping a lot of different projects going is a good thing for me.
My time killer is the Internet! I have to be very stern with myself about that.
And on that note, I'm getting off here now. I have two novels I'm writing and a message to write which I will deliver next Sunday as a Lay Speaker in my church. See what I mean?

[Dan Goodwin]

"If I let them" IS the key phrase Becca! Ultimately, we all have a choice in how we spend our time.

Sounds like you've reached a great understanding in your household... : )

As I said in reply to Lin above, having short times each day to create makes us efficient. Some projects benefit from larger uninterrupted chunks of time, but for most projects, an hour each day for a week for example will help you create far more than one day solid of 7 hours creating.

[RobynG]

The biggest issue is that someone is always breathing down my neck making demands on my time. If I had a proper studio to work in it would be easier because I can close the door when I have deadlines and just get on with it. When I do have time to myself I now feel frantic (as Lin mentioned) because I don't know when someone will interupt.

[Dan Goodwin]

Great to see you Robyn : )

Again a common issue. I like what Becca said above:

"The key phrase is "if I let them [soak up all my spare time].

Gradually I have come to realize that I have to simply tell them that I am going to be working on my writing and I need to be left alone. They respect that. It was I who had the problem, thinking that I had to do everything for everybody, and then resenting them! It wasn't fair to them or me."

[Maureen]

Hi Dan, Good questions!

1. The biggest reason I don't have time to create is being a mom to two young kids -- not having a quiet house, time alone, etc. (And when they are in bed, I am too tired to create!)

2. My creative life would be a lot different if I had all the time I needed. I know that I would get more projects done, start and finish them. I would have time to take classes, etc.

One way I know this is because I travel to Michigan every 6 weeks or so, and I am alone for two days. If I bring my art supplies, I actually do paint, draw, and start projects that I put off when I'm at home.

P.S. In reading this over, it sounds a little like I'm playing the victim -- not so -- I am very blessed with my wonderful kiddos! I just try to do the best I can with the creative part. They won't be young forever.

[Dan Goodwin]

Maureen, thanks for sharing your experiences.

Maybe you could try creating a little each day, when the kid are in bed. I know you said you are tired, so don't have great expectations on yourself that you'll be able to create for hours. But maybe start small and see how it builds. You'll be amazed how much you can get done once you're in a regular creative habit.

[Szen]

1. I had just been thinking, regretfully, that I haven't done art since I started throwing myself full force into trying to find a permanent job. If I'm not working on a contract job, I'm working on my portfolio (which is not art-related). I chose to do this, because survival is higher on my priority list than art at this point in my life. But I keep hoping for the day when I don't have to worry about how I'm going to pay the bills or buy groceries, so I can pick up my art again.

2. I would happily spend my free time doing art and learning new techniques without feeling like I should be doing something more "useful".

[Dan Goodwin]

Hi Szen, thanks for your thoughts.

Priorities is what it comes down to, and yes of course we all need to focus firstly on the basics we need to survive.

I hope you can start to find a regular slot of time to work on your art again.

For most of us, in fact all of us who create, when we do create regularly, bottom line is it makes us feel better. Which can make us more energetic in other areas of life, the positive energy naturally expands.

I need to be taking my own advice here I realise as I write this... : )