Losing
passion for one's creative project is just part of being creative. So don't
stop. Because finishing is one of the factors that qualify you as an artist ...
![]() |
Sadly, some artworks remain unfinished ... |
We're
always so full of energy when starting a new creative project. We have an idea
and we are passionate about implementing it. We burn and burn and burn until
... until the creative project suddenly becomes a chore.
Are you one
of those people experiencing this?
Starting an Artwork Is No Problem
What I just
described happens to me all the time. I start a drawing and after a few
sessions I want to finish it already. This is why I generally don't like
drawing too many details.
Or I start
writing a story, but half way through I know pretty much exactly how it's going
to end and how I'm getting there. I consider myself more of a plotter, but I usually
still tweak the details while writing. And when I'm sure I won't tweak much
anymore and all I have left to do is just implementing the plan writing quickly
gets boring. And besides, there are also all the other ideas for new stories
dancing in my mind.
It appears
that creating art becomes a chore as soon as the actual creative part of the
project is done. When all that is left is mere handicraft. And while there are
people who enjoy handicraft there are also people like me who struggle with it.
The One and Only Key
So far I've
discovered only one way to deal with this issue: merciless self-discipline. No
starting new projects while the current one isn't finished. Too many ideas for
future artworks? Maybe I can try and implement some of them in the current one.
Not passionate about the current project anymore? Study it closely and remember
why I wanted to work on it so badly, then force myself to continue until the
passion comes back (which it sooner or later actually does).
Another
important thing is, however, to think carefully before even starting the
project: Is it something I really want to create? Is it really more than
just a mood of the current moment? Is it really something I really want to make
sacrifices for?
Why would
you want to force yourself to work on something you never were really
passionate about in the first place? I noticed that the chances of me actually
finishing a project are much higher when I take the time to think a lot about
the idea before starting to implement it. And the more spontaneously I start a
project the higher the chances I'll abandon it.
How Serious Are You about Your Art?
It all
actually comes down to: How serious are you about your project? Is it just a
neglectable little hobby you work on when you feel like it or is it something
you really want to see implemented?
Yes, you
can lose the feeling of passion, even if you work on something you want to
create very badly. But you've made a conscious decision to start the project,
and if you're really serious you will muster up enough self-discipline to
actually finish it.
This is why
I think that actually finishing creative projects is one of the major
differences between amateurs and "serious" artists. There are so many
people out there who want to or actually are writing a book, but only few of
them actually finish. With other art genres it's just the same: Many people
talk about doing something, but you never see any results.
And this is
how I slowly but surely came to the conclusion:
Working on something creative means nothing. Finishing is everything.
True, this
is something I regularly need to remind myself of. We all need to do that. But
it is the result that counts. So stop procrastinating and get back to work! ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.