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We are all capable of coming up with brilliant ideas. But here’s the problem: a lot of people are too busy getting ready for these ideas, which often leads to a lack of execution. It can be easy to put off starting a new project until you have developed the perfect website, taken ten online courses, or lost ten pounds.
I have met people (including myself) who were getting ready for something big (changing careers, starting a business, moving to a new country, etc.), and a few years later they were still in the preparation stage. This idea of needing to have everything perfectly aligned before beginning a creative endeavor harms our creativity, makes us feel exhausted, and keeps us from taking action.
In this information age, it is easy to fall into the trap of consuming content and thinking we are being productive when we’re actually not. When you tell yourself that you “just need to watch one more video before getting started,” that’s procrastination disguised as “research.” Don’t allow procrastination, self-sabotage, and perfectionism get in the way of your special thing.
My advice for you is to stop getting ready and just get started! While some projects/careers might require certain preparation and education, the truth is that our skills will improve as we practice. In her book Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg writes:
“If you want to write a novel, write a novel. If it’s essays you want or short stories, write them. In the process of writing them, you will learn how. People often begin writing from a poverty mentality. They are empty and they run to teachers and classes to learn about writing. We learn writing by doing it. That simple. We don’t learn by going outside ourselves to authorities we think know about it.”
Well, it’s the same with my art. I’ve been able to improve my drawing skills simply by making art. I’ve taken a couple of classes, but I can certainly say that most of my skill set comes from deliberate practice.
Earlier in January, I decided to stop taking on dog portrait commissions to finally start working on my editorial illustration portfolio. I’m now drawing what I love the most, people that inspire me. I hadn’t been this happy, motivated, and prolific in a while. What’s more, changing my drawing subject gave me a boost of energy and made me fall in love with art again.
I stopped waiting for my art to be ready because the truth is, my art will continue to evolve. When I look at the artwork I have created so far, I can confidently say it’s at the level (or better) of some of the illustrators I aspire to be. I will soon be reaching out to art directors, and hopefully break into editorial illustration.
I’m not necessarily saying that you should approach your creative projects with a sense of urgency. Though, to be honest, you probably should. Life is too short to live in a state of permanent preparation. So start taking action today. It’s never too early to start living the life that you love!
Books mentioned in this post
