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...

[Anne Westlund]

Procrastination! I do pretty well with deadlines (usually) if other people make them for me. I don't seem to respect my own deadlines. I'm pretty competitive so if other people are doing writing for example, the July writing challenge on CCS last summer I'm in there writing. Or the April PAD challenge--I did get them all done. That really helps me with my perfectionism, having to do a lot of output in a short period of time. I just have to be easier on myself. I know with writing and crafty stuff I'm still learning, learning, learning. If I don't let myself make mistakes then I get nothing done. I have the time and space to create (if I let other things slide!). Creating really makes me happy and others too seem to like my creations, so it's important to me. I seem to forget that it makes me happy though. Isn't that strange? Until I get back into it. Great discussion topic, Dan!

[Dan Goodwin]

Anne - "Creating really makes me happy" - THIS is at the crux of all creative blocks I believe.

If we took the time, like you have, to realise and remember how important creating is, how it enhances our lives, how it makes us better people to be around, we would all virtually eliminate our creative barriers in a moment.

Very powerful realization, good for you : )

Dan

[Kelly Breece]

I love to write. I could sit in a quiet room and let the thoughts pour for hours. My obstacle is time, as with anyone. I am a Mother of two young children. What I've learned is that there is no "extra" time. I simply have to claim personal time. It does help, that I have a website that I'm working on, to be more forceful with that claim. I'm trying to incorporate about 2 hours per day just for writing and working on logistics of the site.

Still, 24 hours is just always about 3 hours shy of what we "needed" to get it all done. I personally look forward to a place in our future where there is no time. If you feel the same, join us at www.ourmorningcup.com.

Thank you for the site. I am so encouraged and inspired after visiting here.

[Dan Goodwin]

Hi Kelly, thanks for your comments. I'm so pleased you're inspired by CCS : )

Sounds like your managing to slowly find some time for yourself, and be protective of that, which is not easy. The more you do, the easier the habit becomes and the more productive you can be in each creative session...

Dan

[Susan Hosken]

My biggest obstacle to creating is the way I tended to only do it when I was in the mood. Nowadays I am scheduling writing and art time and doing it whether I am in the mood or not.
lots of love from susan in australia

[Gretchen Heartaday]

My biggest block today is asking "what's the point? and "how will doing art change my actual physical life for the better?" Tired of being in my head and emotions. Really tired. Tired of doing things that don't make life sustainably better. I can do art but it doesn't get me new gutters for my house or money to go have dinner with friends or find a mate, for example. I think I need to be externally rewarded for it. The act of doing it and having the internal experience isn't enough.

[Hannah]

Gretchen, that's why I have learned to accept that there are other parts to me.

[Dan Goodwin]

I agree Hannah, none of us, however much we love we creating, would want to lock ourselves in isolation and do nothing else. It has to be balanced with other needs in our life.

[Hannah]

I feel forced to do other things by life. I think that's a big reason I'm blocked. I don't think it's about being forced by other people or society, though those are a big factor. I mean, I really had to LEARN to ACCEPT that there's other parts of me which are going to complain if I don't pay attention to them. Really, the work I'm doing on self care is crucial in giving me the ability to be creative just a bit more each day as they are taken care of.

[Pam]

I have a very serious problem with procrastination, however. I must admit I am working on it and am doing a litttle better. I have so many faces and things that are expected of me and finding the time I need to create is very hard for me. Too many times I listen to hard to the inner critic that's attached to my left shoulder who just keeps telling me "Hey, that's not good who do you think is going to read that?" I think if my inner critic were not so critical I would be able to accomplish a lot.

Pam

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

expectations

[[e-mail]]

Dan,

Oh my gosh... I just read the first email that responded to your reply. Those were the exact words almost that I could say. My health, my family, my house, my everything seems way more important for me to deal with. Right now my mouth hurts so bad I can barely talk. My mom has dementia and I am her main support. Imagine that. Trying to make vacation plans is driving me almost insane.

So I guess right now I feel very down. Don't worry it will go away it always does.

Faking a smile is as creative as I can get today!!

Hope all is well with this wonderful group of people. Miss you all.

lisalives