031 - To Build Or Not To Build…
With lots of ideas, how can we know which to choose?
Image by Svetlana Pochatun
With lots of ideas, how can we know which to choose?
Welcome to the Editor’s Journal; A daily thought on writing, the creative process, art, work, the world and how it all goes together. Every morning I rise early, I sit here in the quiet of my kitchen and I write whatever’s prominent. I have a bunch of article ideas saved, so I’ll either pull from them or write something new. I also write at larrygmaguire.com. I hope you enjoy the read.
I don’t know about you but I get lots of ideas for things to make and build.
No sooner have I acted on one idea and started to build it, then another “brilliant” idea comes to mind. I feel compelled to make something from it.
The result being I leave a trail of half built things in my wake with people subscribed, waiting for the next article or development that doesn’t come.
Bad buzz.
It means I never get to feel what it’s like to complete a project, deliver it and see the financial reward from doing so.
Not to mention unfair to the people who’ve bought into what I’m doing and have been left short changed.
This is my greatest challenge.
The one positive in this toing and froing is I have a high attention to detail. When I’m in something I take my time and make sure I’ve got accurate information.
There’s nothing worse for me than to publish something I’ve not looked hard at and established facts of. I love to break things down, figure them out, and write about them.
All good there.
However, I recognise that lacking the discipline to focus long term on one project, and see it through to completion is a problem.
Some Work To Do
Ever feel like this?
Do you have the same or similar problem turning creative ideas into form over the long term?
Do you have an issue focusing long enough to turn the stuff you make into cash?
Well if you do follow me here on Storymaker and on larrygmaguire.com to get regular content to help you.
I will be writing one article each week on the psychology of creativity and how we can apply these principles successfully in our work.
What I mean by successful here, is that we bring it to the point where we can deliver it consistently and make good money from doing so.
Psychology is my area of study, so…
There will be no pop psychology or pseudoscience here!
I will be looking scientifically at the core principles behind successful creative endeavour, with the following topics (amongst others) covered;
How to do what we love and make money at it
How to get into flow become more creative
Dealing with blockages in our creativity
How to develop grit and determination
Breaking old habits that don’t serve us
How to alter behaviour towards what we want
How to develop daily discipline
A better way to set goals
How to harness rhythm and momentum
Dealing with procrastination and writer’s (artist’s) block
My college studies are entering second year and I feel drawn to investigate Creativity at a deeper level for my thesis. What I write here then will be the foundation for this.
As such the evidence I will present will be something you can trust. I will also provide links to original studies that you can investigate yourself.
The aim is to provide you with material that has been proven to work, and can work for you too if you apply them.
The name of the game then, is to assist you (and me) harness your creativity, focus your attention, get in the flow of your work and create your best. And of course make money doing it.
This stuff will not only serve me in becoming more focused for longer, but hopefully will serve you to the same extent.
So stay tuned for more.
I’ll be writing daily here on Storymaker and weekly on my own site larrygmaguire.com.
Ok, later then.
The Artist’s Manifesto is a short book about staying true to our art. It is a call to Artists and Creatives like you to create from the heart with passion and integrity, disregarding the need for applause and recognition. It’s available from 13th May 2017. Grab your FREE copy here.
Like Some More of This Kind of Thing?
Howdy, I’m Larry, Writer & Artist. Thanks for taking the time to read my stuff. I write about art, creativity, business & marketing. When I’m not doing that I write short stories about the ordinary lives of people and the challenges they face. My stuff can be edgy, hard hitting, and sometimes controversial, but never contrived. If that’s your bag you can Sign-up To Sunday Letters Here.