We often hear that in order to be creative, we need vast, unbroken slabs of time. But the truth is, most of us don't have that luxury. If you're working a full-time job or raising a family, it can be hard to find even 15 minutes to yourself, let alone hours.
But the good news is, you don't need hours of uninterrupted time to be creative. In fact, some of the most creative people I know are also some of the busiest. They've just learned to work with what they've got and make the most of their time.
Here are a few tips on how you can do the same:
1. Set a goal. Work toward the goal of 15 minutes per day. That might mean carving out 15 minutes before you go to bed or getting up 15 minutes early. Or, if you're really short on time, it might mean taking a few 10-minute breaks throughout the day to get your creative juices flowing. The important thing is to commit to spending at least 15 minutes every day on your creative endeavor, whether it's writing, painting, sculpting, or whatever it is that you love to do.
2. Get focused. Once you have your15 minutes, it's important to use them wisely by getting focused and eliminating distractions. That means turning off your email notifications, silencing your phone, and putting away anything else that might interrupt your flow.
3. Just start. It's normal to feel like you need a burst of inspiration before you can start being creative. But more often than not, that inspiration comes after you've started working, not before. So don't wait for the perfect moment — just start making something, anything. The sooner you get started, the sooner the ideas will start flowing.
4. Take breaks. Once you get in the zone, it can be tempting to stay there and keep working until your time is up. But it's important to take breaks every now and then so you don't burn out or get too frustrated if things aren't going as planned. Stand up and stretch your legs, grab a cup of coffee or tea, or just step outside for a few minutes to clear your head. Then come back refreshed and ready to keep going.
5. Finish strong . . . but not too strong . One mistake I see people make is trying to cram too much into their allotted time slot because they want to make sure they finish what they started or they're afraid they won't have another chance anytime soon. This usually leads to rushed work and subpar results. So instead of trying to do too much, focus on quality over quantity. Make sure you're happy with what you've created before moving on. This way, even if you only have 15 minutes today, you'll feel good knowing that those 15 minutes were well spent.
The bottom line is this: don't let anyone tell you that creativity requires hours of uninterrupted time.. You can be just as creative — if not more so — by working in short bursts.. So set aside some time each day — even if it's just 15 minutes — and see what YOU can achieve!
