creative productivity
How do you know if it’s time to quit?
You’ve worked so hard, gathered so much research, gotten really deep in…and all you feel is overwhelmed. How do you know when it’s time to quit?
Read More“It’s like a fortune cookie” — When you surprise yourself with what you’re capable of
“I was getting closer to my creative life all year. I just didn’t realize it, because it wasn’t a step-by-step “extreme makeover” version where five weeks later I’m like, Now I’m a published author. Or, Now I can quit my day job. But all these other things happened. And now it’s been 14 weeks? And I mean, I’m rolling.”
Read MoreHow to build a sustainable work process that produces results WITHOUT burnout
Jennifer Shiman came back to her career in animation determined to have a better relationship with her work. “This is an opportunity to really create not only a sustainable way to earn a living, but a sustainable work process, which is necessary for my health.”
Read MoreFocused action: The time to act is now
So how does one go from a slow-burn collaborative podcast to putting out a full, cohesive season of a narrative podcast in one year? With a whole lot of extremely focused action, and a laser focus on one goal.
Read MoreThere is no gatekeeper. There is no gate.
A few weeks ago, I assigned my art students a fun project, a “forgery” of an artist they admire and want to learn from. One student picked Michelangelo. (I talked her down from trying a fresco—in two weeks—to imitating his red chalk studies.) She copied his work in her sketchbook every day. She went to…
Read MoreWant out of the scarcity trap? Stop working so hard.
If I want to invent a new future, one where I can do more by doing less, where I can make smart choices that allow me to have more impact in the world, building in margin is the only way to get there.
Read More5 steps to Creative Focus, in sickness and in health
Writer Jennie Spotila says, “I thought my disability was a barrier to writing my book when, in fact, my disability just presented me with harder choices. Making art is part of you, and when you are sick, you need to remember who you are.”
Read MoreFocus + accountability = massively improved creative productivity…now that’s math anyone can love
Coni felt like she should be making progress on all of these goals, that she should be able to hit her deadlines on five things at once.
This is on top of her job, mind you.
Now she’s actually getting things done. What’s her secret?
Read MorePerfectionism is not your real problem.
Have you published your essay online? Have you sent your book to reviewers? Have you submitted your comic to that anthology you love? Is your website up? Have you actually told anyone it’s up? Have you shown your new work to… anybody? Have you even let yourself spend time on your new work? No? What’s stopping…
Read MoreWhat happens when you let your demons run loose (spoiler: good things)
You should be making your creative work every day. You should be spending more time with your family and friends. You should spend a lot more time in selling your work. You shouldn’t have to sell anything: your work should speak for itself. You should be much further along in your career. You should give…
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