Creative Planning Tools for Artists Who Hate Planning

Artwork Archive | January 30, 2018

Creativity and planning? The two don’t seem to naturally go together.

But they can… And what's more, they can work together to make you even more productive and energetic. 

Creativity feels like a timeless space that’s messy and wild and unable to plan. And planning feels like being boxed into a cage with nowhere to go. However, planning is required to move the creative process forward.

So what’s the secret to planning for creativity?

Practice mindfulness to invite creativity into your life

Mindfulness simply means think about what you’re thinking about. Creativity likes a certain type of environment, one that is safe with a sense of ease. The best way to invite creativity to flow into your day is to practice mindfulness and intentionally bring in positivity and gratitude.

To take it a step further, talk to your inner self. Write a letter to your inner self to tell it what type of environment you are creating. When you write it down and speak it out loud, your emotional self will become a believer.

Another step that requires a little more bravery is to put yourself out there and be around other people who are practicing the same process. Being in community with artists and discussing mindfulness is the perfect pairing for planning an abundance of creativity.

To recap:

Use energy exercises to embrace the creativity when it arrives

Energy goes with you everywhere you go. If you want creativity to come along too, then your energy needs to welcome it in. When the prefrontal cortex of the brain slows down its activity, it naturally releases hormones creating a space where creativity can thrive.

Think about slowing down your brain. Meditation and breathing exercises can achieve that, but take it a step further and get into the body as well.

Dancing, hula hooping, or exercising can get you into the body very easily and quickly. The reason these work so well is because when your body recognizes its own space combined with the space around it, parts of the brain start connecting with an activity that wouldn’t have otherwise.

To recap:

The fewer distractions you have, the more room you have to create

Creative thought needs space — lots of it. The fewer distractions there are, the better it is to create. Practicing minimalism is simply a way to delete the distractions. Avoid excessiveness and clean up your space to get started.

The sooner space is created for creativity, the process of planning for it is much simpler.

To recap:

  • Avoid things in excess
  • Clean up and clear out

Try visual planning to achieve your optimal level of creativity

If seeing is believing, then write it down. Seeing your goals or ideas on paper can trigger creative thought almost instantly. Getting your thoughts down in a journal will help you gain new perspectives and cycle through ideas more quickly. Try using post-it notes you can move around and stick anywhere to gain new connections.

Going analog and writing down your ideas, plans, or dreams is extremely helpful because they become more tangible when they are out of your head.

To recap:

 

Creativity and planning do go together. They are tools that anyone can choose to use. Make a decision to be creative and you will be.
 

Want to chat about creativity? Visit Beth at binglishART.com and read more articles.

Then, make sure you are signed up for the Artwork Archive newsletter where we send you art news, tips, and advice straight to your inbox once a week. 

 

 
 
Beth Inglish is a contemporary abstract artist who uses line and color to create expressive work and channels the energy from her spirit to transform people and places. She is also the founder of the Nashville Creative Group, a community established to connect, support, and share with thousands of local artists instantly.
The Nashville Creative Group is a community vibrantly active with artists, musicians, communicators, technologists, and activists.
To learn more about how Beth uses creativity, connection, and community to change the world for the better visit her website or Beth Inglish Art.
 
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