What's the single biggest issue you struggle with in being more creative?

[Dan Goodwin]

What's the single biggest issue you struggle with in being more creative?

Is it procrastination?

Trying to make everything perfect, constantly wrestling with your inner critic?

Coming up with new ideas or developing existing ones?

Focusing on one creative project, and actually finishing something?

Finding enough (or any!) time to create?

Something else?

Let us know what's blocking your creativity most right now, that if you could overcome it would mean your creativity would soar to new levels...

[Hannah]

Craig -- I just went to your sites here and on myspace and I am jealous! That you're committing to your music, and that you're so talented! I really love your sound! I would definitely buy it and I don't buy much anymore! Maybe you'll join my Musicians group on here -- though it would just be us talking on it since nobody else does, so no biggie for sure.

I definitely know what you mean by thinking that music maybe doesn't matter. It doesn't sound crazy to me though I know what you mean by it sounding crazy, too, when it matters so much to us and others. I was reading other replies but I'd already formulated mine in regards to Dan's question and I think I will save it for a post of my own but the doesn't matter thing definitely made me quit.

Hannah

[craig sutherland]

hannah I have only just read this post and I have to say a big thank you to you. That really helps me to work through my fears when others are enjoying what I am doing. I will for sure join your musicians group and lok forward to hearing from you soon.

[Hannah]

I guess you said it, that's how I feel too. The problem is even if other people aren't enjoying it, it's still worth doing. But that's much harder. There's in reality no relationship between the worth of what one does and how other people feel about it. That's the lesson almost everyone who has given the world something worthwhile teaches.

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

I think it is important for performers to get feedback. It's really sad to me when nobody bothers to applaud for a performer, and it happens all the time at the live music venues. People just don't bother to show appreciation. I've told some of my friends that I don't think it's right.

[Dan Goodwin]

Or when people talk loudly all the way through a performance! Very disrespectful to the artist and the rest of the audience who want to hear the music...

[RobynG]

My single biggest issue is still finding time to myself. I'm trying really hard to get used to interruptions and people buzzing around me while I work because I know that if I don't I won't create which will make me miserable. Making art is too important to me to allow anything to prevent me from doing it. ....so I'm persevering. I'm certainly not producing as much as I used to when I had a lot of alone time but I'm sort of getting used to the buzz. My husband is now at home every day and he realizes that if I don't create my art I will miss out on some great opportunities so he is cooking a few nights a week and my daughter once a week which is a huge help.

[Dan Goodwin]

Robyn, always great to see you : )

I love this statement:

Making art is too important to me to allow anything to prevent me from doing it.

I think many of us know that deep down, how important it is to create, what a core part of our lives and personalities it is, but still have doubts and insecurities that let other things take over.

It's really good to hear how you're learning to adapt so you protect the importance of creating in your life.

[Eileen]

Can I say all of the above? It's mostly procrastination and not being a good finisher. I have some physical issues now that I use as an excuse to not create. I'm my own worst enemy.
Eileen

[Dan Goodwin]

Hi Eileen,

Yes you can say all of the above!

I think most of us would to different degrees. And yes ultimately we're all our own worst ememies BUT we can also all be our own best friends and greatest supports...

The fact that you're self aware enough to say you're using something as an excuse to not create is a great step.

What's the next little step you can take in put aside that "excuse" and create a little more often?

Thanks for commenting,

Dan

[Tina Festa]

I can say that all the points you have mentioned are really a very big issue for me..... but at the moment the mother of all the issue for me is to have a place of my own (and an organized one) where I can create. I work 100 km far for my city (and I live there from M to F, then I came back on Saturday) I have my workshop on Saturday and on Sunday.... and I am always carryinh ALL the staff I need for me and for my students in my car....
This is not the better way to create I think...

[Dan Goodwin]

Hi Tina, thanks for your comments.

That does sound quite an obstacle. Is there a way you can build up two sets of equipment, some you can leave at work, and others you have only in your studio at home?

Dan

[Tina Festa]

I think that because I live for 5 days in one town and 2 days in another town I have to find a way ( or to believe that is possible) to be creative with very simple tools and a small equipment.... this is the reason why the only think I can do right know is doodling....
So I started to "translate" my written journal into doodles..... And when I give form and colours to my emotions (the oldest have got deep and painful roots) I am so happy and free!!! Art is the blossom....
( I hope my english is ok...)