2 of my creative goals are heavy: Start a podcast and finish my book draft. Why do they feel like this is so much? Putting undue pressure on creative work is not the point of creating.
However, a continual inspiration system is not sustainable, if the goal is always output. Feeling like things are perfect and therefore done OR never starting because life’s not perfect is part of the productivity trap. It’s capitalism taking over creativity. And while there’s nothing wrong with producing for something (even money), I cycle through starts and stops.
Transitions are difficult.
So, why I write these goals this way? My values-driven goals acknowledge 1. They are projects 2. And they are worth doing. If creativity is really about “doing” creative things, it’s less on “being” creative and talking/writing about the creative process.
Accepting I want action from myself – finishing a book – is probably the first step. Not letting a draft stay in limbo land and face the paper (screen) takes showing up. And isn’t that the most courageous thing of all? Showing up for my (messy, changed) work also means showing up for little Kaylie who dreamt of authorship. So let’s get to it!