Welcome, fellow artists, to your one-stop shop for reigniting the artistic fire! This blog is your personal productivity pep talk, inspired by the awesome Ali Abdaal.
You might know Ali from his YouTube channel or his entrepreneurial adventures.
Now, this ex-doctor turned productivity guru has penned "Feel-good Productivity," a book bursting with tips to help you, well, be productive without the stress!
The previous blog was about the 3 Ps of productivity and if you haven't read the blog, you definitely should. Click here.
This blog focuses on the second part of his book – the aptly named "Unblock" section.
Over the next few posts, we'll tackle how to find clarity, conquer fear, and getting started with what matters to you the most
This blog is all about keeping the spark alive and reminding ourselves (and maybe you too!) that making art can be joyful, fulfilling, and yes, even productive!
Seek Clarity
Let's be honest, procrastination is practically my middle name. Ask me to do something and I'll become a master negotiator, convincing myself there's a perfectly good reason to tackle that dust bunny collection instead.
But Ali's book shed some light on productivity. It turns out, the culprit is a lack of clarity. A clear roadmap is much needed to get anything done.
So, Ali suggests this "five WHYs" trick – basically, keep asking yourself "why" until you reach the core reason of it . Here's what my inner voice revealed:
Why do I love drawing? Because it makes me happy!
Why does it make me happy? Because it unleashes my creativity
Why do I need creativity? Because it keeps my mind fresh
Why do I need to stay fresh? Because a clear mind equals more productivity (which hopefully translates to less procrastination, but hey, baby steps).
Art is the key to unlocking my productivity monster. Now, how do I translate this newfound knowledge into action?
Ali suggests something called "N I C E goals" – Near-term, Input-based, Controllable, and Energizing. Sounds fancy, right? But it basically means setting clear, achievable goals that excite me and fit into my schedule.
Next up, time blocking. Basically, fancy scheduling for grown-ups. Ali recommends making a to-do list with three levels: daily tasks, specific times for those tasks (think "7-8 AM: Conquer art project, not laundry"), and a weekly overview. This is because as Ali says himself
"Structure gives your more freedom, not less."
Personally, I find digital to-do lists amazing. Notion is my current weapon of choice, but feel free to use sticky notes, or anything else you are comfortable with.
Find Courage
Before you drown your artistic dreams in a sparkly demise, let's talk about fear. Ali reveals the culprit behind this creative paralysis: the amygdala, a primitive part of our brain wired for survival.
It's great for keeping us safe from actual tigers, but sometimes it overextends its welcome, whispering doubts and anxieties that hold us back from creating.
Here's the good news: we can fight back! Ali equips us with a toolbox of strategies to transform this fear:
Identifying and labeling those fears.
The 10/10/10 Rule: Putting Things in Perspective
Let's say you bravely share your artwork online and get hit with a few negative comments. The fear monster starts to inflate again, whispering, "Everyone thinks you're a terrible artist!"
Here's where the 10/10/10 rule comes in. Ask yourself: "Will this comment even matter in 10 minutes? 10 weeks? 10 years?"
Chances are, the sting will fade quickly. The internet has a short attention span, and true artistic growth comes from consistent creation, not chasing internet validation.
Stop Spotlighting: The World Doesn't Revolve Around Your Art (In a Good Way!)
The fear monster loves to convince you everyone is judging your every artistic move. But the truth is, most people are way too busy with their own lives to be analyzing your brushstrokes.
Let go of the fear of being judged. The world needs your unique artistic voice, so don't be afraid to let it out!
The Batman Effect: Unleashing Your Inner Superhero
Ever wished you could approach that blank canvas with the confidence of your favorite artist?
Well, guess what? You can! Ali introduces the "Batman Effect."
Just like Bruce Wayne dons the cape and cowl to transform into a fearless crimefighter, you can create your own artistic alter ego.
Get Started
Ever stare at a blinking cursor, willing words to appear on the screen? Or maybe it's a lump of clay stubbornly refusing to morph into your artistic vision.
This feeling of being stuck, creatively paralyzed, is called inertia. Just like a stationary object resists motion, our brains can resist starting a new creative project.
But fear not, fellow artist! Ali offers a blueprint to overcome inertia and get those creative juices flowing.
Reducing Friction:
Imagine this: you're brimming with an artistic idea, but the mere thought of digging out your supplies from a cluttered cupboard drains all your enthusiasm. This is environmental friction. Ali explains how inertia thrives on obstacles, so reducing them is key.
Here's my solution: an art haven! I invested in a dedicated workspace where my tools are readily available. Now, a single glance at my organized haven sparks inspiration and eliminates the mental hurdle of setting up.
But inertia isn't just about physical clutter. Emotional friction can be just as powerful. We get overwhelmed by the enormity of a project, and suddenly starting feels impossible. The answer? Break it down!
Instead of fixating on the finished masterpiece, set small, achievable daily goals. Focus on completing a specific step, not the entire project. This way, you avoid feeling discouraged and maintain the momentum needed to keep going.
Tracking Progress: The Power of Seeing Yourself Move
Have you ever looked back at old photos and marveled at how much you've changed? Tracking your artistic progress has the same effect. Ali emphasizes the importance of documenting your journey.
Whether it's a sketchbook filled with daily doodles or a blog chronicling your creative process, seeing your progress is a powerful motivator.
Personally, I set a goal of creating two artworks and writing two blog posts per month. While the initial months were a breeze, I eventually hit a snag.
But guess what? Even though I haven't reached my perfect target every month, tracking my progress has kept me creating.
Seeing a collection of works, big or small, is a testament to my dedication and fuels my desire to keep creating.
The Accountability Buddy:
We all need a cheerleader, especially when battling inertia. Ali suggests finding an accountability buddy, someone who checks in on your progress and motivates you to stay on track.
This could be a fellow artist, a supportive friend, or even an online community.
Remember, creating art is a journey, not a destination. There will be bumps along the road, moments of self-doubt, and days when inspiration feels like a distant memory.
But by implementing these strategies – reducing friction, tracking progress, and finding an accountability buddy – you can overcome inertia and keep your creative fire burning bright.
The most important takeaway? Forgive yourself! Don't get bogged down by missed goals or setbacks. Celebrate your small wins, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
Building a system that works for you is the key to unlocking your creative potential. So grab your tools, embrace the mess, and get creating!
Very creative and meaningful artwork 👌 keep it up