Getting started on a creative project can be tough.  Especially when you find yourself procrastinating on it...which is so easy to do with demands on your time and energy.  Most creative people are inspired to create but may feel overwhelmed when it comes to actually starting a project.  We also live in a microwave world, where cell phones, social media and other distractions has caused many of us to have a short attention span which allows for procrastination. Sticking with a creative dream requires discipline, which is tends to lean on the tedious, boring, or time-consuming side. One concept, "micro-movements" is something to implement to help you finish that creative or artistic project. 

There are various descriptions of something similar, but in the book  ‘Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day’ by SARK (a.k.a. Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) ​ it is  defined as "a very tiny action that anyone can take toward some part of his or her creative dream. It's 5 seconds to 5 minutes in length, and you write it down, along with a gentle dte and time for completion."  SARK adds that a micromovement can be 5 seconds to 5 minuts long because "we can do just about anything for 5 seconds to 5 minutes."

So how do micromovemets work for our creative projects?   Here's an example...say you want to write a book but find yourself overwhelmed with the thought of doing such a task.  Use the steps below as a simple guideline to create manageable goals.

1. First define what your creative dream or project is about:                                        CREATIVE DREAM OR GOAL - To Write a Novel
2. Second define one micromovemet which can be completed within the threshold of 5 seconds to 5 minutes.  Make sure to set a day and time or some kind of threshold to measure some success.  MICROMOVEMENT - Saturday at 4 pm. Turn on the computer and open a file called "Novel".
3. After you have completed the first micromovement, choose your second.  MICROMOVEMENT - Sunday at 3 pm, do an internet search about books about writing a novel.

Keep setting micromovements and reaching them.  Remember that they should each have a "gentle" date and time writtent down and be able to be completed between 5 seconds and   5 minutes.   The more you do them, the easier they can be and the more you will see progress in your creative project!  The timing of each micromovement after the last one is completed can vary....this system is designed for your rhythm and flow, to incorporate in your life and for your creative project, not anyone else's.  Many people say that once they start on a 5 minute micromovement, it may extend to two or three hours making progress toward their creative goal.  The momentum may suck you in that you end up making more progress than ever before!

Some tools to consider to help you with the micromovement practice include creating a wheel as a visual way to keep track of your movements and progress.  You may want to find someone to serve as an accountability buddy so you can both support each other in reaching your creative goals. 

Have you tried micromovements or something similiar to reach your creative goals?  How did that work for you?  Share any comments or experiences below!

Source:  "Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day copyright 2004 by SARK, All rights reserved. 

September is "Self–Care Awareness Month" which is a time to remind ourselves that taking care of ourselves, first and foremost, is our priority.  Self-care is often neglected in our everyday lives and especially for those of us who are creative.  When we don't take care of ourselves, our creative life along with everything else can suffer.  We may burn candles at both ends....maintaining a family, full time jobs, extra-curricular activites, etc. and put our creative pursuits on the backburner.  By the time we chose to pursue our creative practice, we are burned out, uninspired or frustrated with the results of our attempts. 

Or we may be active in pursuing a number of creative passions/projects and trying to do them all at the same time.  Creative burn-out is real as well, and can leave you just as depleted as those who are managing a number of outside interests.  You may feel you are feeding the muse, but what you might be doing is the opposite, leading to a major creative block. 

Self-care is something that cannot be neglected.  When you are tired, burned-out or focusing on so many things, after awhile, our bodies rebel by fatigue, illness, mental health concerns or other matters.  Here are some self-care tips to help you actively maintain a healthy and creative life:

• Pay attention about how you feel at each moment.  Are you feeling your best? If not, how do you feel and what might be contributing to it?  Is a trip to the doctor's office in order?
• Speak up for yourself and say "No" when needed.  Sometimes we feel we must say "yes" to that one more thing even when we know that we are over extended.  Ask yourself how saying "yes" would benefit you?  What can you say "no" to accomodate this activity?  How will this affect your creative practice?  Would saying "not now" be a possible option?
• Shift how you think about having "too much to do."  Look at everything on your plate and priortize what is important.  Is there something that you can get help or support with?  Why are you still involved with certain activities that are no longer bringing you joy?  How much time could be loosened up for what you enjoy if you get rid of certain activities that are becoming more of burden?
• Make sleep a priority.  Do you get plenty of rest at night?  Do you need to consider going to bed earlier?  Ending activities after a certain time? A good night's sleep is essential for feeling good, alert and inspired.
• What are your self-care rituals?   A self-care ritual may be taking a long bath at the end of each day, journaling first thing in the morning, prayer, meditating, yoga, exercise, etc.   What has fallen off in regards to our daily or weekly rituals that help you relax?  What can you incorporate or re-introduce?
• Spend time in nature.  Learn the benefits of this for your creativity here. 
• Pay attention to your thoughts and how you feel mentally and emotionally.  Are you feeling generally happy or depressed?  Are you having trouble focusing or feeling inspired about life? Isolated and lonely?  Consider talking to a trusted friend or a therapist to talk through some of what you are feeling.  Know that you are not alone and people are available to help.
• Think about what you consume on a regular basis and how it affects you.  The old adage, you are what you eat applies here...if junk food (fried, fatty foods, caffeine, etc.) is your go to everyday.  A healthy, balanced diet can help keep you alert, focused and effective.  Also,  over consumption of drugs or alcohol may also be something to examine.  Many creatives have historically sworn by drugs and other substances as inspiration for their work, but on the other hand, many have burned out too early (Janis Joplin, John Belushi, Rick James, and Amy Winehouse come to mind).   A quick high can feel good for a moment, but has many times proven not to be effective in dealing with stress in the long run. Seek help if it playing more of a role in your life than it may need to be. 
• Examine your personal relationships to see how they are affecting you.  Sometimes the people around us can contribute to our quality of life.  Are your friends and family supportive?  Are they contributing to unnecessary stress in your life?  
• Consider taking a break off social media and other distractions.  People are increasingly finding themselves addicted to their smart phones, computers and other technological gadget participating in social media sites.  Or binge watch TV shows or Netflix programs.  How is that contributing your well-being?  Taking a break periodically can help you focus on your self, the present as well as the people around you. 
• Treat yourself to something nurturing.  A massage, a short trip to the beach or a trip away, a wholistic retreat at a spiritual center, a nice dinner at a restaurant, an "Artist's Date" to inspire your creativity are some examples of self-care and nurturing activities. 

Use this month to start taking some steps, whether hourly, daily or weekly to help you stay positive, replenished energetic to open yourself for creative ideas and inspirations for your practice.  What are some of you favorite self-care rituals or practices that you engage in to help you stay focused and healthy?  Please share in the comments below!