How is your creative process looking? Has the work we’ve done this month got you feeling more confident in yourself and your creativity? We’ve spent the past few weeks overcoming the misconceptions and excuses around the creative process, looking at other artists’ creative processes, and molding our own.  Today I want to talk about how to take it to the next level – it’s time to begin living your process as a part of your daily life and the best way to do that is to practice consistency.

Before we really dive into the importance of consistency, let me re-emphasize a point I keep making… by now I bet you know the one J Say it with me now: no two creative processes are the same.  You are allowed to change your process as many times as you like. Focus on what you NEED.  Ultimately, the only person who needs to be satisfied with your process is YOU. Having a creative process helps us stay consistent because we already have a base for what to do and how to start. That’s why taking the time to determine and tweak your process is so important.

Consistency is showing up for yourself every single day.

So, let’s talk about consistency. What does that mean?  You are your own champion!  It means that you push yourself, but you also listen to yourself.  Take care of yourself so that you can work hard and be consistent in your work. Every chance you get, put your creative process to use. Practice it. Let it carry you.  Habits take around a month to form, so commit to your process for at least that long to start. Stay consistent throughout that first month and see how much you progress. If your process doesn’t seem to be serving you as well as it should, change it. Check in with yourself and trust that you know what works best for you! Imagine how much you could create in just one month if you are consistently putting your creative process to use. Not only are you building that process and getting into the habit of using it, but you’re also building your portfolio or your following or whatever other projects you’re working on along the way.  Self-discipline is one of the most important skills for creatives. A lot of the time, you will be in charge of motivating yourself and keeping your work progressing. When it comes to motivation and holding yourself accountable, consistency is key.

I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t help with some proactive troubleshooting, so let me nip this one right away. What if you find that you’re too busy to stay consistent with your creativity?  If you can’t dedicate as much time as you would like, don’t get frustrated and don’t give up.  Rather, start smaller.  By dedicating a smaller amount of time to your efforts, you’ll still be able to move things forward, but without getting overwhelmed. Be realistic.  Make sure you are setting aside as much time as you know you are able to commit.  Remember the Kaizen Muse principle of small steps? (Click here if you need a refresher!) Whether you allot 10 min or 3 hours per day to your creative projects, you are still making progress!

I am especially passionate about creative processes and I would LOVE to help you tweak yours to help you maximize your potential. If you’re still having trouble figuring out your process or putting it to use, I got you covered. Consider yourself cordially invited to join me in being Bravely Original in my 1:1 coaching program. We’ll identify what you’re working toward and start breaking through the blocks that are keeping you from your creativity. We’ll get you to your creative business freedom ASAP! This program consists of three months of bi-weekly sessions with direct access to me the entire time. Also expect follow-up emails, accountability and support, and momentum building activities. I’ve got you every step of the way.  Click here for more information and to get started.