Expert Tips for Unlocking Creative Energy to End the Year Strong
Looking for ways to kickstart your creativity and make the most of the final quarter of the year? This article has 3 expert tips to help.
Starting a new project can be both exciting and daunting. It's an opportunity to explore new ideas, express your creativity, and make progress towards your business goals. However, as we head into autumn and eventually winter (for my Northern Hemisphere folks), you might be feeling tired and maybe a little burned out - I know I am!
As a one-person business owner and content creator, I'm guessing you’re probably facing similar challenges to me, in terms of finding inspiration and motivation to kickstart projects that will help you end the year strong. The fatigue and excitement for the Christmas season that often accompany the last quarter of the year can make it difficult to tap into your creative potential.
In this blog post, I’ll share some valuable expert tips to help you start a new project with renewed energy and enthusiasm. So, if you're ready to reignite your creative spark and make the most of the final quarter of the year, keep reading.
Three Experts, Three Tips…
Here are three expert tips for unlocking creativity based on the books "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon, "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown, and "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron:
Become a Swiper: In the book “Steal Like an Artist”, Austin Kleon *, suggests keeping a swipe file as a strategy for unlocking creativity. A swipe file is a collection of ideas, images, quotes, and other creative references that you gather from various sources. It serves as a valuable resource for your own creative projects - think of it as your very own library of diverse influences that you can turn to whenever you need a boost of fresh inspiration or when you're feeling stuck.
Whether you swipe to a Pinterest board, a database in Notion, a physical pin board by your desk, or even a stack of ‘coffee table books’ in your studio, my recommendation is to collect things that reflect your own tastes and interests outside your field or industry.Ruthlessly Eliminate the Non-Essential: In Greg McKeown's book “Essentialism” *, he teaches us to prioritize what truly matters. Apply this principle to your creative projects by focusing on the essential elements. Identify the core ideas, values, and goals that you want to convey through your work. By eliminating non-essential distractions, you can channel your energy and creativity into what truly resonates with you and your audience.
At the start of a project or goal I like to ask myself “What would a ‘lazy’ version of this look like?”. Not so I can spend the day Netflix n chillin’ but so I can look for ways to remove any unnecessary complications that will either greatly slow me down or overly stress me out. My number one objective is to “ruthlessly eliminate the non-essential“ and it’s how I keep my perfectionist tendencies in check!Nurture Your Creative Spirit: Julia Cameron's “The Artist's Way” * emphasizes the importance of nurturing your creative spirit. Take time for self-reflection, journaling, and engaging in activities that inspire you. Create a regular practice of exploring and expanding your creativity. By taking care of your creative well-being, you can maintain a consistent flow of ideas and inspiration.
One practice I’ve embraced from the book is Morning Pages. This year I upgraded the cork covered journal below to a Leuchtturm1917 hardcover journal, and got a gorgeous new fountain pen with brown ink! Plus, I write in cursive long hand so no one can easily read my lamentations 🤫 Almost every morning I pour out my thoughts - what’s bothered me from the day before, what I’m worrying about for the day ahead, dreams, ideas, and sparks of craziness that might just be crazy enough to work. I think of it as a way to defrag my mind so I can create space for creativity later.
These practices can help you unlock your creativity and infuse your new projects with fresh ideas and perspectives.
Now that you're equipped with 3 expert tips it's time to take action and make the most of the final quarter of the year. Whether it's launching a new product, creating engaging content, or exploring new business opportunities. So, what are you waiting for?
The future of your business depends on your ability to tap into your creativity and make things happen, so it’s vital that we, as creatives, protect and nurture our most valuable asset.
Next Steps
In last week’s article we looked at Using September to Set Goals and Take Action - this article has actionable steps, as well as a printable workbook (Canva Template). Use it now to unlock your business potential and achieve your targets for the end of the year.
Additionally, there’s a project planning for creatives section on the Keshinomi website that has tools and resources to help small business owners plan for growth, success, and creativity.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to make the final quarter of the year your best, and most creative yet!
Chloe x
* Please note: I found these [Audible] books through my own research, personally purchased and listened to them for my own use before writing this blog post, but as an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualifying purchases you may make after clicking these links.