Being motivated is tough. Even if you find yourself happily engaged with the task you are aiming to accomplish, motivation doesn't always come easy. But it's the point when we do find ourselves alight with passion -- the small, yet intense fire which sparks the initiating action to reach our goal with great tenacity -- when we finally start to gain momentum. The catch here is that the flame, though lit and burning hot, has to be fed... so how? How do we keep this flame alive and intensify the momentum we've only begun to gather?
The secret is to continue.
As a creative, I personally find myself at a mental war with what I want to accomplish -- my dreams and aspirations of what I want to create -- and what I am actually doing to get there. I am often times bombarded with all of the individual tasks and projects at hand, each of which I want to have done and each of which I know I have the creative stamina to do. It takes a lot of courage to get going and even more strength to hold to a particular task when there are so many others of equal interest or importance throwing themselves out at you from your list of things to do.
What I mean when I say to continue, is to just do something. To keep pushing forward. Find something you love -- something that really peaks your interest -- and do that thing. Run after it at full speed. There is no reason for you to sit and wait for one thing to turn out without going hard at anything in particular.
If you want to advance in your craft, work at it. As much as possible.
‘But how do I stay motivated to do what I'm called to be doing?’
Trust me, I’ve wondered the same thing. So without further ado, here are some tips that have really served well to help me in my creative endeavors and my fight to stay motivated.
1. Surround yourself with other artists.
Particularly ones that are aiming to reach specific end goals with their given talents. Surrounding yourself with other creatives that are striving to make it the same as you are is just the first step in understanding where you are, what gifts you possess and what you can do with them. Knowing other artists striving in your industry not only serves as an encouragement and a guide for you, but it also helps you to build a greater creative network. This way, you'll be on standby for any positions that open up that are fitting for you and your craft.
Someone once told me, "It's not the grades you make, it's the hands you shake." I believe that this is completely true. And in the entertainment industry, success is not based on sheer talent or luck, but on who you know and how you know. So meet as many people as you can! Collaborate, offer to help on a project that interests you, ask for help on a project of your own, and make friends!
2. Just... Create!
Undoubtedly, the most important attribute to have as a creative is to be someone who actually creates. Not someone who just thinks about creating. You want to be a creative? You have to create, every day.
It can get tricky when you think, "Well, I'm really just not feeling inspired this week. I'll just wait until something comes to me." Want to know a secret? All of your favorite artists -- the people who inspire you most -- have taken the time to build a routine to create every single day. You have to push through the mundane of day-to-day life without forgetting to create. It's often described by writers using the faucet analogy: you have to leave to water running for anything to flow forth. It doesn't matter if the water is muddy and murky for a time as long as the faucet it turned on. Because then, and only then, at some point the water will run clear and crisp. Without that daily routine and the perseverance to stick to it, you are not truly a striving artist of any kind: you're only merely talented.
In other words, know what you have to do, and just do it.
3. Stay Humble.
This is extra important to take extremely great care of. It's great to always note that you are not the best at what you do, nor am I the best at what I do. There will always be somebody out there better than you at what you love. The difference is that you are where you are and they are not. So take every opportunity that comes your way with gratitude and give it 100% of your effort. Doing this will put you ahead of the rest of those competing against you in the industry, because a willing and a grateful spirit is so rare to find in today's ego saturated world that it seems a breath of fresh air to find somebody who is willing to be of service -- someone who doesn't think that they are "the best" as the rest of them do.
Have confidence that you can accomplish what you set your mind to, and work hard at it. Make friends within your creative niche who can encourage and motivate you and be honest with you about your work (trust me the criticism will only help you get better). Find what you love and do it, don't get distracted or caught up in other things... just do it. And lastly, in all these things remember humility -- that you are not greater than any other qualified person for the position you've been offered, but you are still qualified and you are still in the race. Be grateful for every opportunity and never sell yourself short!
Comments