Every morning you wake up with a gazillion ideas in your head, and throughout the day you get a bazillion more but creative overwhelm gets in the way.
Knowing which one to start with because all of them are so incredibly exciting and you just don’t know where to begin!
I get it.
There was a time I would start a project, just to get a new idea and not finish the first project and before I knew it, I had a lot of projects started but couldn’t get myself to finish them.
Idea Creation Paralysis!
Yep, it’s a thing.
It’s the overwhelming feeling of too many ideas, feeling too flustered and overwhelmed to get started because let’s be honest you already tried so many things before to finish said projects. And every now and again you were successful but it just wasn’t enough to keep going.
So here you are, having all those ideas you want to implement, put into action and have a finished or ongoing result.
Let’s not forget that you have a million other obligations that have to be done, like feeding your children. maintaining a balance for everyone getting attention and going to work. And let’s not forget the spur of the moment activities you are doing because they feel like the right thing to do.
How in the heck will you find the time to create when you can’t even find a moment to breathe and have some alone time?
And it truly feels like there is NEVER enough time.
I am going to share with you 6 Steps to help you take consistent action, having the time to create.
Brainstorming
This is one of the most go-to activities that can help you not only clear the clutter in your brain but help you visualize all those ideas that could turn into not only started projects but also finish them. The key, once you have done the brainstorming, is to decide which one excites you the most!
Once the brainstorm is complete, do another one. This time includes the things that need to be done daily and weekly. And then another that helps you break down all those ideas into smaller steps!
Create a Schedule
One of the biggest struggles I have found for creatives is considering the notion a schedule will help them when they are wanting to be wild and free and just roll with the punches. But how is that working out?
Tackling creative overwhelm requires you to stay on top of what you want to achieve and plan to make it happen.
Take a weekly schedule and create a rough draft. Start filling it in with the daily activities that have to get done such as meal times, school hours if you are homeschooling, work hours, doctor appointments, errands, and all that jazz. But don’t just write work hours but the action you are taking, this will help you know what you are doing!
Once that is finished, add the things you want to do such as self-care times and creative times. Again, be specific in the action by looking at your action steps from the brainstorm.
Batch your work sessions
Sometimes there are activities for the week that you could get done in a 2-3-hour work session. For example, writing your blog posts can be done in one day for the week or even the month if you have a dedicated time for this activity. Look at your draft and see what other activities could be batched together.
This will allow you to see where you have more time than you initially thought, therefore giving you more creative time.
Morning Routine
What time does everyone wake up in your home? Decide to wake up 30-60 minutes before everyone so you can have some alone time, plan your day ahead (look at your schedule) and even some creative time.
There is something to be said to look at your schedule every evening. What project are you working on? Are you writing a book? Take that extra 30 or 60 minutes in the morning to work on that.
Now you know what to work on!
Refine the Schedule
Now that you have a rough draft, take a good look. How does it feel? Did you include a break after your working session?
Another tip to help you is to use a weekly schedule and track your activities to help you plan for the following week. This way you know what you are spending time on. Maybe you could cut out some TV time or social time to sit down and write that book or create that piece of art.
The refined schedule is what you are committing to for the week. To finish something or learn a new habit is with consistency.
Review what worked and what didn’t
To create a schedule as a creative, you will want to tune into what worked and what didn’t. This is where you can acknowledge the steps you are taking, the part you are still struggling with so you can make the changes that will work for you in order to keep creative overwhelm at a minimum.
One of the biggest challenges, that I have found is that a schedule can feel too rigid. But something to remember, every week will not look the same. You can make tweaks as you go along. What you are after is not only to start taking on your ideas but also finish them and a weekly schedule can help remind you but also support you with consistent action.
Extra Bonus Tip:
Keep a notebook with your goals so you can track your activity. Write the goal on top and the action steps below and every time you do one and finish one, cross it off or give it a checkmark.
Serious about kicking creative overwhelm to the curb? Let’s work together for 30 days and get on top of your schedule by getting clear on what you want to achieve and develop a plan with support, guidance, and accountability.
