Like many Steemians, I've struggled, and continue to struggle, with making my art. Though I've written a best-selling book, and deliver a podcast every week, I still have to battle with the lies that I tell myself.
Here's a mental exercise I find useful when I'm procrastinating on my art.
When you procrastinate on making your art, you lie to yourself. You’re wired to want to put forth minimal effort. Your body doesn’t want to do the work.
At the same time, we all want to see ourselves in a positive light. If we think we’re lazy, that doesn’t make us feel good. So, we can avoid making our art by telling ourselves lies like this:
- I haven’t started writing my book yet. I still need to do more research.
- I’ll get started after I’ve made some coffee. Oh, now I’ll check my email. Oh! EXPRESS® just sent me a coupon. I have to act now!
- I’m set up to fail because [insert something about your life, your situation, or yourself that you can’t change.]
- Some thing that’s going on in the news is super important. It’s more important to pay attention to that (while making others rich) than it is to bring my work into the world.
Try this exercise. Next time you think about making your art, but don’t do it, pretend for a moment—just pretend—that you’re really lying to yourself. What’s the lie that you would be telling?
- I don’t need to do more research. I’m just telling myself that so I won’t feel bad about putting off the work. The sooner I act, the more quickly I’ll learn.
- I don’t have to check my email. I really just want to distract myself because doing the work will be painful and I’m afraid of failing. I’ll deflect that distraction and take action.
- I’m tempted to blame others, or my situation, because it feels better than taking ownership over my own outcome. Even if something holds me back, I still have to live with my own success or failure.
- I can’t stop reading the news because it reinforces my views, which makes me feel like I’m smarter than others. If I instead put that energy toward putting good things into the world, I’d have a bigger impact.
None of these thoughts are necessarily true. Just pretend that you’re lying to yourself, and see what you find.
Now, ask yourself, is it possible you’re actually telling yourself these lies? Is admitting it, and moving on to truly make your art, more appealing than living in your own deception? The world will be better off if you make your artistic dreams a reality.
I'm writing a book called Getting Art Done that will boost your productivity, and help you make your masterpiece. Sign up for updates here.
I liked your post. Seems to me that this applies not only to art but also to any venture one may undertake on their own. Thanks for sharing.
helo
LOVE THIS! I have this one all the time "I don’t need to do more research. I’m just telling myself that so I won’t feel bad about putting off the work. The sooner I act, the more quickly I’ll learn." and Im learning to just do it instead of reading so much and taking in more and more information. Thank you for this excited for your book as well!
Excellent Post. I appreciate it!
wow
great post @kadavy
i like it
You can not bury your talent in the ground. He damp there and become moldy. I have noticed this in my life more than once.
Nice article... The human mind is powerful... Our reality is created from our thoughts.
I’ll get started after I’ve made some coffee. You don't know how much I love that coffee... It's an espresso and yet when I reach the bottom of the cup, it's magically already lunchtime... And procrastination goes on. Thanks for sharing the tip
I loved this post. I am someone who very much so wants to put a lot of myself in to painting but I seem to eternally procrastinate. And what you say is spot on, at least how it relates to myself. Your words have had a bit of an impact with me. So for that I am grateful.
I go through this everytime I need to write something. Its like I have a board of directors intent on stopping me from creating. Self talk is so important. We can trick ourselves. In my case I have to trick myself and the negative voices of the board. I appreciate your tip but it all boils down to just doing it. That Nike phrase "Just Do It" is what I use to motivate me when Ive "gone around the bend" on all the reasons why I won't start. Ill keep an eye out for your book.
I am responding to this post because it comes close to bonds of social confirmity that I wrote last month which discusses the outward influences, your point of inward influence is great and I do believe we keep lying to ourselves in form of 'one excuse to another' and before we know, the final excuse called death knocks on our door...upvoted.
People love a lie it make them feel better that sucks!
it really does...I say to myself that - a lie must be truth in some dimension of existence that we don't see...maybe each of our lies are really going out and taking shape in an alternative universe...just a weird thought!
Procrastination and perfectionism. How to avoid life! Much luck on your latest venture. 🐓🐓
Thanks for posting this! :)
I love this, I'm so guilty of this. It's hard to get out of your own head sometimes. Just gotta do the damn work! No excuses.
@kadavy - what an amazing article! I've instantly recognized 4 individuals from environment very close to me, just wasn't being ever able to find right thing in 4 simple diffs as you did! I will do test with each of them based on this, and get back to you with results! ASAP!