5 tips for getting it done

I am not a “naturally” creative person. I didn’t grow up in a house that embraced creativity, or encourage it, and my first real experience of following the creative urge was in my oldest daughter’s grade 1 classroom, where I helped out all those years ago. I only discovered scrapbooking ten years ago, and even though I sewed in high school, I didn’t own a machine until 5 years ago.

So mojo, that get-it-done-urge that creatives seem to always have*, doesn’t sit comfortably inside me. Figuring out how to make it work is an ongoing process for me, from the what-will-I-create part, to the how-do-I-fit-it-in part, right down to the I’m-not-feeling-it-today.

Over the years, my process hasn’t changed much when these slumps hit, (although I am prone to wallow in the un-creative-ness until I get fed up with myself), I mostly bargain with myself and say “get it done” which seems to work quite well. But if I had to break it down so others could take some ideas from my struggles, these would be the tips I would give you.

1 - don’t turn on the computer (or look at social media) For me, this is my biggest demotivator. I love social media, I love the internet, but I get lost down the rabbit hole, and can’t tear myself away. So I just don’t turn it on.

2 - clean up a small workspace Cleaning seems to be an ongoing process in my life, and probably yours, too. When I look at my craft space, I often want to cry because it never seems to get better, but when I want to create something cleaning a section up to work in makes it much easier to do that work.

3 - break your project down into bite-sized pieces This one has taken a lot of years for me remember. Big projects like “sew a quilt” can be overwhelming, and make it easy to escape into pinterest. But “iron the fabric” or “pin fabric together” is harder to escape from.

4 - make sure your equipment is ready to be used If it’s been awhile since you’ve used something, take a moment to wipe the dust off it, and check to make sure all the bits are working.

5 - just do it Of all the things I’ve learnt about myself and the way I work, teaching myself to just do it, even when I’m not feeling it, has been the most eye-opening. Because once I start, I’m quite happy to keep going, and really enjoy the time I spend. So telling myself to start is probably the most powerful thing I can do, no matter what the project (it works especially well with housework!)

And the project? A simple reversible throw for my oldest daughter, who recently moved to Tasmania.

How do you keep yourself motivated?

Cate Brickell (90 Posts)

Cate is a closer-to-forty-than-thirty SAHM of 4+2 kids, ranging in age from 15 to 3. She doesn't do housework, wastes too much time on facebook and pinterest, and is overwhelmed by the awesome blogs in her google reader. She loves taking online scrapping classes, learning about the scout movement (as a Joey/Cub leader), and has a purple front door. 2013 is all about CHOOSING the right path.