Brian Clark, of Copyblogger, issued a challenge: Write a headline that is sexy a la Cosmo magazine - something that grabs the reader by the collar and makes her stop at the checkout counter and pick up the magazine to see how she can titillate her man in bed all night long. Here's my headline that relates to what I know about the creative process.
Ten Paper Tigers Scaring You Away from Your Creative Ideas
When faced with a roaring tiger, you run, right? But these excuses don't offer enough reason to not create.
1) You don't know how to execute them. You get a brilliant flash of inspiration - Voila! but you don't know how to write a screenplay. Go take a class.
2) You're more in love with the fantasy than the reality of actually producing something. I understand, believe me.
3) You don't have enough confidence in yourself. No proof that you can create something. You're at ground zero.
4) You're too smart, or, you think too much. You club your idea to death with your logic and don't give it a chance to breathe. Here's where your big brain is not your friend.
5) You're more invested in your notions of yourself as a non-starter, or non-finisher. Give it up and give yourself a chance.
6) You're more in love with the initial spurt of creativity and don't give yourself a chance to delve into the nitty gritty of making something happen. Oh the pain of the eleventh draft. Suck it up - you can do it!
7) Your critic jumps in too soon with what ifs: "What if someone else has already done this? What if someone steals my idea? What if people think I'm stupid?" Send your critic to Office Depot for supplies while you hash out your idea.
8) You make lame excuses that have to do with a dearth of time and money. While these excuses seem real, I hate to break it to you: they're smoke. You've got nothing but time.
9) You don't have enough support - even one person who says, "Yea, go for it!" Get good people around you who believe in you.
10). You're scared. Who isn't? That's normal. Do it anyway.
Bonus excuse #11) I've got to do the laundry, dishes, rake the lawn, change the oil on my car (you fill in the mundane task that means more to you than your art). Yup, there's always more to do. But do your art first and the other stuff will fill in.
Why do I know this? Not because of my clients, though they these excuses and fears too. I'm familiar with these wimpy reasons because I cycle through them every time I get an idea. Creating anything takes courage and a willingness to look stupid and be an idiot - plunging forward with no clue and no guarantee of a payoff. Do it anyway.
What are your wimpy excuses? Add them here.
Very good! You rose to the challenge! Now, I have a challenge for you (and your readers too!): I'd like your comments on an article I've posted about the old storybook "Little Black Sambo."
Posted by: Dave Lucas | December 04, 2007 at 08:12 AM
I think that #4 is my biggest challenge. Great post!
Posted by: Alex Kay | December 04, 2007 at 08:57 AM
Yes, the brain is both ally and foe. I believe that creativity does not come from the brain.
Posted by: Cynthia Morris | December 04, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Those are so true!
Posted by: Kelly | December 16, 2007 at 04:00 PM
#2 and #4 - my biggest obstacles. Why getting things done is so difficult? I thought it was only me. So imagine, how great things we would be able to do, if we didn't hit the wall so many times. The wall in our mind.
Posted by: Paul M. | December 18, 2007 at 05:54 AM