Power of Practice

Now, most of you know that i work as a creativity coach.  It's a gift of a part time career alongside my work as an artist and i love helping others find their ways to their true one of a kind creative voice.

In my coaching world, i most often work with people and help them develop a strong practice.  It's one of the most important factors in the everyday process of being an artist.  However, i find that most people think that creativity is the world of inspiration, and lightning strikes and bold moments of genius.  Of course there is a bit of truth to that, but to me, the most important aspect of being an artist is the everyday hard work of putting hand to paper, paint to canvas, dance to dancefloor.  The work is creating something from nothing. 

The only way that i know how to do that is to give your art the time, space, and imagination that it needs to come to fruition. An artist needs a practice the same as a yoga practicioner, an athelete or a doctor.  You need to make sure that your instrument is ready and oiled to receive those moments of thunderbolt inspirational genius! So i urge my clients and anyone who wants to create to build a practice.  I am often met with resistance and responses of not enough time, too tired and no ideas.  And to that, i respond, Just Begin!

Here are a few ways to build a practice. 

1. Set aside 25 minutes a day to work on what you want to do.  Even if you go and sit down and just begin something, this is in fact something, more than you had yesterday.  If every day is too much, begin with 3 days a week. 

2. Create a special space to work.  It doesn't need to be big and a table will do. Make sure it's comfortable and free of interruptions.  Close the door, turn off the phone and let others know not to interupt you for 25 minutes. 

3.  Create a ritual.  I light a candle and often play two records which i know will take me to my minimum of an hour daily in the studio.  If i am inspired to do more, i will, otherwise, an hour is sufficient. 

4.  Keep it sacred.  For a while, until you have established this practice, don't let anyone come in and see you during this time.  It's your time for you and your artist, so honour that.  

5.  Have fun, and play.  Connect with the child in yourself that allows you to create without critic.  

6.  Allow yourself to make mistakes and ask the critic to leave the room for the next half an hour or so.  It's amazing what happens when you do that.  

I have found that all of these tips help us become the creatives that we want to be in our lives.  It is amazing that after one month of doing this it becomes quite important and impossible to imagine our lives without it. 

So give yourself a gift today and create a practice of art making.  Trust me, you will be glad that you did!