Vincent Van Gogh, The Digger, 1881
The title of this post comes from a review of a book on creativity by novelist Steven Pressfield called Do The Work. This piece reminded me that one of the many myths about creativity is that you need to wait for inspiration to descend upon you in order to be creative. Those who believe that’s true often assume that creativity is a matter of genetics or luck, and often feel powerless as a result: Got writer’s block? Grin and bear it (or maybe catch up on back episodes of Real Housewives) until your muse reappears. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Study the lives of the great masters of art, and you’ll discover that they all share a particular skill: DISCIPLINE. That’s right! Creativity depends as much on discipline as it does on talent. Whether you are an artist, musician, crafter, businessperson, or someone who wants to change your life, discipline is essential. When we are disciplined, we:
· Are able to quickly return ourselves to the task at hand if distracted
· Recover quickly from disappointment and failure
· Adopt habits that help us work consistently and effectively.
· Stay engaged in the task at hand for as long as we need to.
· Hold ourselves accountable for following through on actions to which we are committed.
No artist can reach her highest potential without discipline. None of us can live lives of highest purpose and meaning without discipline. So if you don’t feel like doing what it takes to move your [work, project, life] forward, do it anyway.
P.S. If you are curious about why I included the Van Gogh drawing in this message, reply to the post, and I’ll be happy to explain !
Creatively yours,
Kathy
Barnes & Noble
Indie Bound
Penguin
Sounds true and interesting, Kathy. Creativity requires stamina and dedication with a bit of daydreaming along the way. Thanks for sharing this! –Daisy
I like what you are saying here and no doubt it is true. I’m living proof of what happens when you simply follow your muse! I would love to hear more about what discipline looks like to you in the creative process, beyond showing up. I find it particularly difficult to find a balance. Too much structure and discipline drives me crazy, too little leads nowhere. And tell me about the picture!