What happens when you decide to create?

A search for “the creative process” on Google turns up articles and blog posts about the science and five stages of the creative process. This is not that.

I’m talking about “where the rubber meets the road.” This is what I’ve experienced as I’ve developed my own creative process. 

Step One—Overcome Resistance

The first thing that comes to mind is resistance. Resistance shows up in the form of worry and the opinions of others.

Worry and anxiety are big time-wasters. They get in the way and stifle your creativity.

If you’re worried or anxious your focus isn’t on creating. More than likely, performance is at the front of your mind.

Opinions of others arise as obstacles looming over your ideas. You feel smothered.

Every creative thought instantly vanishes from your mind. Weeds of worry, negativity, or sarcastic remarks suffocate your potential masterpiece.

Anxiety keeps you from getting started.

Worrying is counterproductive. It’s immobilizing.

As for those people with nothing good to say, they have their own stuff to worry about.

Fight back! Go about your business. Ignore them.

You’re better off not telling them anything about what you’re up to.

What are you worried about anyway? At this point, it doesn’t matter what other people think. This is your time to create and learn.

Develop your skill and style. Discover what you like and dislike.

It’s time to choose to stop worrying and get started. Yes, you read that right. Choose to stop worrying and get started! Create!

Step Two—Get Started

Start where you’re at right now. You’ll learn as you create, no matter what your skill level is right now.

Whatever your outlet of choice—painting, drawing, sewing, writing, baking—you’ll get better and better in the process.

The more you create or practice, the better you’ll become, the easier or more natural it will be for you to create.

 So what, if you don’t know what you’re doing!

None of us know what we’re doing when we begin.

Remember when you were a kid with crayons and chalk? You started coloring on that blank sheet of paper and your imagination took off! Your brilliance was dazzling as you created masterpieces for the refrigerator. You were on a roll!

Get that kid back!

I’m sure you loved coloring until someone said, “That’s stupid!”

That’s when you began to think, “I don’t know what I’m doing! I’m terrible!”

We begin with a childlike sense of wonder and curiosity. Our imaginations lead us to the discovery of our unique colorful worlds.

As we get older, there may be people around us who just don’t get it. They’ve been taught creativity is a waste of time. Those people usually think what they’re saying is in your best interest. It’s not.

Creativity’s been crushed out or them and now they believe they should crush it out of you. “It’s for your own good!”

Don’t believe it for a second.

You have to fight your way back to that awesome kid you were. Stand up for that kid! Tell your imagination, “It’s okay to let loose. It’s okay to have fun.”

Now pick up that pencil and draw. We live in an amazing time where we can get all kinds of help on the internet or in community art classes.

But here’s the thing. Make sure you’re getting positive, constructive input along the way. Walk away from anyone who wants to criticize without caring about you or what you’re doing. You don’t need to hear it.

There’s no “one” creative process.

Some believe there is only one creative process, but that seems ridiculous. We’re all different from each other. We each have our individual way of doing things.

We create things in our personal, unique ways. Our creative style develops and progresses along the way. At some point, people start to recognize our style in the art we create. We develop our “signature” style.

We each have a unique style, but there are some basic elements or aspects most of us use in our creative process. One of those is preparation.

Step Three—Preparation

The most obvious part of preparation is gathering your tools and supplies. Set them up before you start working on your project. If you have to stop what you’re doing to go look for something it will likely throw off your focus.

As a writer, there’s nothing more irritating than my pen running out of ink mid-sentence. By the time I’ve located another pen or ink cartridge, I’ve lost my train of thought.

Try to set up a space dedicated to your creative projects so you don’t have to go looking for things all the time. Even if it’s a box or tote where you can keep all your supplies, everything will be there when you need it.

Dedicate a desk or table as your art or writing space. It will be easier for you to start and stop a project whenever you need to. Make a point to refill your supplies so you have them at hand all the time, and you don’t lose focus in the middle of a project.

Step Four—Build Your Skills

Invest in yourself. Take the time to build your skills in the type of art you work in.

The more skilled you are the more creative you can be. As you get better at what you’re doing it will be easier to be more creative. You’ll find it won’t be as much of a struggle to get the results you want.

Chances are, the art you produce will reflect your expanded skills. Look for ways to challenge yourself and have fun!

Learn techniques.

Be willing to take a class and learn some new techniques. Experiment with what you learn.

Do you like the results you get using those techniques? Can you incorporate them into your art? How do those techniques affect your style? Can you tweak the technique and make it yours?

Get out of your comfort zone. You just might surprise yourself! In any case, you’ll learn what you like and don’t like.

Step Five—Practice

Now practice. Paint. Write. Bake. Play music. Practice.

Don’t limit yourself, this is your time and your space. There are no mistakes. No one gets to look over your shoulder. If you feel you’ve made a mistake, you’re the only judge right now. Learn from it and go on.

The more practice and time you put into the art you’re creating, the better you’ll get at it. It’s inevitable.

Imagine what you want to create. Creating what you imagine becomes easier, fun, and rewarding.

The better your foundation, the more inspiration, and creativity.

As you practice and become more adept in your art you’ll become confident. Confidence is an important part of your creative foundation.

Confidence spurs you forward. You begin to feel good about what you’re doing and the direction you’re going with your project.

At this point, have some fun! Soak in the joy of what you’re doing.

Step Six—Play and Experiment

Now that you’re confident in your art, be willing to challenge yourself. Play and experiment with your projects.

Get out of your comfort zone again. Artists can try different mediums like watercolors instead of acrylics. Writers can explore other genres such as mystery rather than romance.

Take some lessons and learn more techniques to add to your skill bucket.

Step Seven—Develop your style

Armed with confidence and newfound skills take a look at what you’re creating. Are you getting a feel for what you like and don’t like? Are you starting to show up in your projects?

You’re developing your personal style.

As you begin to recognize your style, enjoy it! Love it and be willing to let it change and grow with you as you grow in your art.

Step Eight—Set yourself up for inspiration

Ideas for creative projects will flow if you set yourself up for inspiration.

Get into a routine that works for you so you can count on time to work on your art. Schedule it if you need to. Make an appointment with yourself and commit to keeping it, even if it’s only fifteen minutes. Authors have written entire novels when they only had fifteen minutes a day.

If other people want your attention during that time, tell them you have an appointment. It isn’t necessary to tell them what the appointment is for. Especially if you perceive they’re seeing their needs as more important than your art.

When you’re not working on a project, use the time to inspire yourself. Look at other art, read, take a walk, meditate, or get out of the house for a change of pace or scenery. All these things lend themselves to inspiration and getting creative ideas flowing.

What’s your “why?”

Why do you do art? Why do you write?

Begin to understand your “why” even if your only purpose is to relax and get your mind off of other demanding things. Knowing your “why” helps you focus.

I find being creative has a positive effect on other areas of my life. Problems are easier to solve. Difficult situations become less worrisome.

You’ll love and enjoy your creative time. Soon you’ll see its benefits in your life as well.

Record your ideas.

Make a habit of using your phone, iPad, notebook, or sketchbook to record your ideas. It’s amazing the distractions that come up, right when you get a brilliant idea.

Swing the odds in your favor and write it down so you remember it later. Otherwise, it will be gone the next moment.

Now take those ideas you’ve been collecting and start working with them. Sketch, storyboard, outline. Relax and give yourself some room to play with colors or visualize.

Step Nine — Take Action

Gather your tools and materials and dive in.

Keep in mind you’ll need more time than one session with your creation. If you get it done in one session well good for you! You’re amazing!

But there’s nothing wrong with working on your project over several blocks of time. Step away and come back to it as your routine allows. You’ll enjoy keeping those appointments you’ve made for yourself.

The more preparation you do, the more practice, the more adept you will become in your technique and skill. It makes sense that you will also get faster as you get comfortable with what you’re doing.

Share your art.

At some point, you may want to share your art with someone. This can be risky for our sensitive, creative souls. Maybe not, depending on your personality, where you’re coming from, and who you’re sharing your art with.

Some people are insensitive. They may throw their opinions in your face in a way that leaves you feeling bad about yourself and ready to quit. Keep in mind, they have personal agendas and hang-ups.

Take those people off your “share list.” You don’t want their discouraging comments echoing in your brain.

Many an artist, musician, or writer has had to brush themselves off and go on despite such callous treatment. Lots of them have gone on to great success as a result.

Be wise in choosing who you get feedback from.

If you’re seeking feedback from someone, think about who you’re getting the input from.

Do they know anything about what you’re doing? Will they give you genuine constructive criticism? Will they offer positive steps to improve what you’re working on?

If not, why are you seeking their approval? What kind of person are they? You don’t need input from Negative Ned or Nellie. Don’t waste your time.

When you’re looking for sincere input, get an opinion from someone who’s qualified to help you. The point of getting feedback is to learn and become better at what you’re doing.

No matter what you’re creating, there will always be someone who doesn’t like your work. That’s just the way it is.

But there will also be people who love what you’re doing. Appreciate those people and be happy you’ve met them.

Step 10 — Now create!

Remember, you’re the artist. You have the last word.

When you’re done, walk away for a while. Then come back and take a look at it.

Are you happy with it? Do you like how it’s turned out? Is there anything you’d like to change about it? Go ahead and change it if you want to.

If you don’t like what you’ve done at all, give yourself a break! Be kind to yourself.

What did you learn? How do you want to do things the next time? Do you want to change anything? Is there something you think you want to develop a bit more?

Congratulations on a job well done!

You’re developing your unique process and style. The more you create, the more at ease you’ll be with what you’re doing. You can have fun exploring as you become more skilled.

Now, it’s time to get started again! So get to it and have fun!