Rekindling Your Artistic Passion

We all have secret dreams when we're young. Some of them are far fetched while others, we realize later in life, are actually born of natural talent and ability. Whether it's creative writing, recording music, ballet dancing, or a sport - we find out where our strengths are and often decide to make them a career.

However, we're also easily side tracked. When there are bills to pay and 9-5 jobs to work, it's difficult to find time for our artistic endeavors. Worse, the more time passes the tougher it is to get back into the flow. Writers get writer's block, painters see nothing but blank canvases.

If you're looking for ways to get those creative juices flowing again, here are some helpful tips:

Create a list of goals 
Sometimes our ambitions feel more realistic when we see them in front of us on paper. They also feel less difficult to attain that way. Our thoughts can become so convoluted at times that we fail to keep track of them in sequence. To prioritize your time and ensure that your vision for where you see yourself is achieved, jot down a comprehensive breakdown of your goals and the steps required to fulfill them. For example, artists will want to work on producing their art on a more frequent basis, advertising their work, participating in art shows, etc. Be specific and culminate the list with your long-term plan.  

Create a Timeline 
Get your calendar and daily planner booked! Set a due date for each task you assign yourself and make sure it's within a reasonable time frame to accomplish them. You know yourself and your work ethic. There's nothing wrong with pacing yourself, the idea is not to give yourself the bum's rush. Leave room for inspiration and creative thought. As long as you have dates (even tentative) planned for yourself, you should be alleviated from the stress that comes with a head full of disorganized ideas.

Do it
Believe it or not, there is such thing as too much planning. More importantly, the planning stages can sometimes be used as a method of procrastination when you're insecure or fearful of simply taking the plunge. Remind yourself daily that your talents are worthy of pursuit and that you are 100% capable of making your goals a reality. The best way to motivate yourself is to just throw caution and do what you're good at. Be confident and get out there!

Image from Morguefile

Courtney Gilmour
		About the author:
		Courtney is a published writer, stand-up comic, and shameless Internet enthusiast. She holds a double bachelors degree in English Literature and Communication Media Studies, specializing in semiotic theory, however she doesn't get Shakespeare and has never won a game of Scrabble. Currently she lives in Toronto and works as a writer for WOMAN.CA.
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