Can You Focus On Your Creative Work?

"Microsoft researchers have found that someone distracted by an e-mail message alert takes an average of 24 minutes to return to the same level of concentration." I learned that tidbit of information by reading The Internet is Killing Storytelling by Ken Macintyre, a writer currently judging biographies for the Costa Book Awards.

If our power of concentration is that distractable, we're in big trouble unless we can muster the will-power to focus on our creative projects.

This year I'm writing a NaNoWriMo novel for the ninth time. As usual there are dozens of rabbit-writers jumping ahead of the crowd, logging in their full 50,000 words in a day or two while the rest of us plod slowly along. One of my critique group friends is already past 40K while I'm thrilled to have finished 20K at the rate of 2500 words daily. Increase the contrast by knowing that fast writing friend of mine also holds down a very responsible full time job and is single parent to two adopted children... whereas I've got no such responsibilities. I just don't feel like knocking myself out to prove I can write faster than most other NaNoWriMo writers. At my age (57) I've developed a love of moderation and relaxation. I like to have fun.

Also, truth be told, I don't have the focus to be able to cope with adding to my novel all day long for days on end. I like to think about many different things. I like writing in blogs, writing my Squidoo pages, and connecting with friends. Focus is something I need to develop more of. I need to concentrate on my work, making sure I get done the things that truly need doing... before I get lost in web surfage or mindless meandering.

This morning I came across this video of Yogiraj in which he teaches the importance of concentration. I sat spellbound, thinking I'd found my Guru at last. It might be worth checking out, if focus and concentration are things you need.

Scheduling Creativity?

I have a hard time with schedules. Yes, I am a creative - one whose flighty, imaginative mind doesn't quite fit into the square box required by certain professions. So schedules mean hard lines and rules to a consciousness that wants to soar like a bird and play in the clouds.

Today I created a schedule anyway. My new schedule says I should post in this blog every week. Details here: Schedules! Do they work for you?

Toward A More Creative Lifestyle

Channeling our efforts into creativity may take a creative approach to life management. I'm sure there are some that get up in the morning, look at their latest art project in the midst of dining table disarray, and proceed to add to it. But I'm not one of those people. Instead I get the coffee going and sit down in my desk chair in front of the computer. It takes an act of extreme self-will to tear myself away just to write in my journal.

Therefore as I approach the field of artistic endeavor, I'm hindered by my own preoccupations, and must find a passage between what looks like huge walls of solid rock. I'm sure that passageway is there and that I'll find it. I intend that it is so. You see, I have creativity in my blood. I cannot let a day go by without creative endeavor. For the last ten years that creativity was primarily expressed via website creation and writing.

Now I've got a new creative goal: to redecorate my home using multiple works of creative art, including paintings, wall hangings of various sorts, and sculpture. My goal is to live in a creative castle of my own making, and of course also with multiple creative works of my significant other, Bob, who lives here with me. Between the two of us, we should be able to come up with a lot of creative works of art. He does some fascinating sculpture with copper tubing and crystals, and is heading toward his own new expressions of fantasy in art.

This morning I wrote a list of intentions regarding my projects. Here's one of them: I intend that my artwork is constantly evolving for the better and that I'm enthusiastically involved in producing it. Insofar as it is for the highest and best good of all involved, so be it. And so it is.

The Creative Lifestyle - How Far Can You Go?

To express creativity we need to learn the art of not copying others. As soon as we try to write like Ray Bradbury, or paint like Van Gogh, we're not being truly creative. True creativity means thinking for ourselves and creating new art forms unlike others that went before.

I know we writers do try to stay within the accepted guidelines - mostly for publication purposes. If we stray too far from "what publishers want" we're unlikely to have our manuscripts selected for publication. A pity, because truly innovative literary work is suppressed in this way. With the advent of the Internet it is likely more creative styles of writing will be published online. A free medium for self-expression... how cool!

Copy-catting may be a good way to get started if you're a total beginner in your art, but creatives (we who create creatively) should always be willing to veer off course, follow the inspiration of self-expression, and stand by our creative products bravely and with a good sense of humor. Plenty of people have a negative reaction to anything different. Don't let that bother you!

When something doesn't please you, create something else. This year I faced up to the fact that I'm not pleased with Christmas, so I created a new winter holiday: Festival of the Inner Light. It pleases me greatly even if most people have never heard of it. Today I realized I'm not drawn in by any existing religion. I was looking for Gurus Online but discovered I'm not a joiner, nor am I a follower. I realized I am, as a creative, in need of creating my own religion. I'm focusing it on love, and decided the first song in my hymnal will have to be All You Need Is Love, followed by What The World Needs Now.

When innovation occurs there's no turning back. Create the world you'd like to see, the music you want to hear, the joy you want to share. We were born to create, and to share the fruits of our enlightened spirits.

Cross-Platform Creativity

If you're a writer, are you also a musician?

If you're a painter, do you also write poems?

If you're a dancer, do you also scribble cute cartoon kittens on the side?

Cross-platform creativity is not only common, it helps creatives to exercise different aspects of their artist minds. If you find yourself drawn to some new art form - don't resist it so you can focus on the main thing. You'll bring in new inspirations that can seed ideas for your original art.

Yes, it is good to focus on one main form of creative endeavor, to build up a body of work. But if cinematography suddenly grabs your interest, make some YouTube videos, experiment with filming techniques, and have fun with it. No matter what your main job is, you're allowed to increase the depth of your character by learning new things.

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You're invited to learn more about me and my creative endeavors: Linda Jo Martin

Creativity is The Reason for Living

Stretch your imagination. Take joy in the changes you make. Work for the pleasure of working. It is all a creative celebration. That's what life should be. Creativity is the shining of your heart on the world of matter. It is the resonance of your spirit in the world of being. Celebrate creative alchemy for creative growth - the science of changing copper into creative gold, or intentions into creations.