The most frustrating thing about expressing one’s creativity is finding the time to do it. If you’re like me, between working a full-time job, maintaining a house, raising a family and just plain living, there aren’t many free moments for creative projects. In this post I’d like to share a tip I’ve used over the years, in my case for writing, that has allowed me to not only finish an idea, but also to get some of them published.
My friend, Al Long, painting at a workshop.
There’s nothing more exciting than the initial discovery of a creative endeavor. Maybe you’ve taken a water color class or have attended a writer’s workshop that’s fired your imagination. Finding an outlet for your creative side is an uplifting experience. However, if you don’t find time to work on your craft, it doesn’t take long for those ideas to slip away.
There are many things that compete for our creative time, surfing the internet, social media and television to name a few. With today’s smart phones, connecting with the world is easier than ever. Turn it on and you’re instantly linked, ready to look up the latest news or see up what someone said on Facebook. Before you know it, fifteen minutes of free time has vanished. A creative person with a busy schedule needs to take advantage of those fifteen minutes.
It’s written in every book that talks about creating; developing your craft requires a dedicated effort, or in other words, practice time. How does one do this in our busy lives? For some, it means getting up hours before their work day starts, for others they have an allotted time to practice their craft. However, I’m sure there are many of you that are like me. Finding a fixed time to write is a rare occurrence. I’m not knocking the people who have dedicated time to create, I hope someday that person is me, but for now, I take advantage of those fifteen minutes.
If you look at your day, you can find small bits of time here and there. It might be waiting for an appointment, commuting to work, or at lunch. These are the free moments when you need to shun surfing the Internet and turn on your word processor or open your sketch pad. It’s hard at first, summoning the creative forces in such a short span, but it’s doable. It’s like learning to ride a bike, after a couple of times you’ll be able to kick the creative side of your brain in gear at a moment’s notice. (Good ideas always seem to come when it’s time to quit. Jot those down or they will evaporate when you are distracted by your next task.)
Believe it or not, those fifteen minutes add up and before you know it, you might have completed and published a short story, finished a novel or sold a nonfiction how-to article. I’m proof it works. I’ve done all three.
Slow and steady progress is the key for someone with a busy schedule. You never know where that fifteen minute journey will take you.
Here’s a link to an article from Dan Blank that expands further on the idea of finding time to create. Dan’s company, We Grow Media, helps writers and creative professionals connect with their audience.
I must say I chuckle when someone tells me they want to write/paint/play an instrument– but they don’t have the time. Living life and being self supporting (and raising kids) doesn’t leave any time. But time, as such, is never the real issue. It’s a matter of energy. Unless you quarantine time and let nothing get in the way (no matter how little) you will never have the time.
So now I tell people that until a certain time in my life I didn’t have the energy…
Thanks for your reply Mirka. Great point about having energy. I should have mentioned how some days I’m so overwhelmed its impossible to get into the creative flow. On those days I skip the writing. But like Dan mentioned in his post, I don’t crucify myself because I’ve squandered free time.
You have an incredible talent for writing. I have enjoyed reading your stories, David. I agree that it is vital to our emotional and physical health to find our creative outlet(s) and to also make time for those said outlets.
P.S. Hobbes was a wonderful dog that enriched your, Sheila, Nathan and Tristan’s life in a way that cannot be put into words. He was, simply, Hobbes.
Thanks for all that you do at the clinic.
Thanks for your comments Maria. I’ve been writing for many years, but I haven’t told too many about it. How did you happen on to my site?
To be honest, I am not sure. I saw your name pop up, so I looked at your page and saw your post Finding Time To Create. I enjoyed reading it, Dave. I look forward to more pieces of your writing.
Maria
You have an incredible talent for writing. I have enjoyed reading your stories, David. I agree that it is vital to our emotional and physical health to find our creative outlet(s) and to also make time for those said outlets.
P.S. Hobbes was a wonderful dog that enriched your, Sheila, Nathan and Tristan’s life in a way that cannot be put into words. He was, simply, Hobbes.
Thanks for all that you do at the clinic.