Are you one of those people who work better under stress? I know I am, at least that’s how it seems at times. There’s just no motivator like a deadline to get something done, even creative work. I’ve often scheduled exhibits without anything ready to show. I love waiting til the last minute to dive in and see what gets done.
Can this kind of stress possibly allow for creative, productive work? Yes, absolutely. Since it’s also entirely possible to over-think an artwork, to the point of over-working it, or not working on it at all, waiting til something absolutely has to get done creates a more intuitive space to work. But what if there are no deadlines? Easy! I often set (nearly unreasonable) goals to get things done by a very quickly-approaching date. The Weekly Press, in which I produce at least one artwork a week, and sometimes as many as 15 pieces, is a self-imposed deadline that has produces some decent images. This constant mode of production can have its drawbacks (see previous post), but there are plenty of things to do that help keep you in the creative mode. For example, this site has 10 ways to boost your creativity.
Of course, maybe you’re into more of a Zen approach, where you calm your mind and let the art happen. This can also work, even if there is a looming deadline. Both cases seem to be linked to creating a space where you are no longer trying consciously to control the results.
The next post: keeping it intuitive.
15 Comments
Hi Bruce, I like the concept and content of your new blog. I completely agree that the key to either of the approaches you mention is the creation of a space you don’t consciously control – which I might add you very eloquently said (unlike that sentence!) – without that space, I don’t think the creativity really happens.
Phyllis, thanks for the input. The insight of how the two might be connected came out quite unexpectedly.
Great blog, Bruce!
The interplay of motivation and inspiration is a rich field, for sure.
T
I found reading about your need for a deadline in order to stimulate the creative process so similar to my own experience. I constantly self impose deadlines, and work in baby steps along the way in order to keep tabs on a creative project — however, what I have noticed in my classes is that the teachers, understanding that students delay working on projects – impose progress report deadlines. For instance, a proposal or a title and thesis statement – you can also use this process in the visual arts. So — in the past three years, I have taken to the process of brainstorming in a open – no rules imposed manner and then I type those ideas onto my computer and let them age. When I re-visit my ideas or images, I organize them into themes, groups, categories – then decide on one or two that fit together or a sequence that appeals to me. This has helped me immensely. Increasingly, waiting to the last moment and the stress associated with that causes me to go into panic mode, and I’m not sure that’s my best work… although, panic is always one of my experiences when in the creative process, somewhere along the line. These moments usually occur in the wee hours of the morning. What then happens is that I have a surge of energy to get into my project – motivator – as you so eloquently put it.
At the moment, I am stalling on a project, it is due in one month. Instead of working on it, here I am writing on your blog, which I find interesting, because I am in the dilemma of not wanting to work on my research project, which I see as a creative project. But… I have an outline, a proposal, all the pieces to put it together and then something will kick in to motivate me, time pressure no doubt. But by waiting, am I missing some new thought or important connection that may be missed when the stress factor kicks in? I don’t know the answer, but this morning at 3am, I was certain I was missing something!!!
Dharma may have a role here.
Bruce, let me know if this works. I guess you might say that learning to do “blogs” is creative? Somehow, I find it easier and more direct to just respond to your work as an e-mail reply. I suppose you are trying to create a conversation about the creative process (and your work of course). So, my first comment is a question: how does anyone generate enough energy to be creative in this stifling heat? Or is creativity a way to escape it? Next, about your work: I have long been a fan and enjoy commenting: Bruce is great, everyone!
Liz
Hi Liz. It did indeed work, and thanks for your comments. I still would like to hire you for all my PR. Just let me know when you’re available. You’re right in that the best reason to do a blog is to get others in on the conversation, and if you subscribe (“follow” in the right sidebar) to the posts and comments, you can join in on all of them. It’s kind of like sending an email, only to people you know are interested in the same thing you are.
Regarding the heat, Ann just showed me her “arm coolers.” They slide over the wrists and when dampened, lower the body temp. I tried them on and they are quite refreshing…
Thanks for the great comments, Denissia. I like your organization process. I think that if, as you say, you have all those pieces in place before finalizing the project, when it comes time to work on the nitty gritty, your creative brain will know just what to do, having worked subconsciously on the project all along. I know it’s hard not to panic, but just remember there’s a cool-as-a-cucumber side of the brain that knows precisely what to do.
I like that, “cool-as-a-cucumber” and will use it as a visualization for calming. I think you are great too! As for the heat, creativity and heat don’t mix for me either… next week we’re anticipating 100 degree days. I may have to resort to the arm coolers. Keep up the hot creativity! And can we download a photo onto your blog?
thanks,
dew
Hi DEW. I save my grunt work for the hottest part of the day, and the creative stuff for early morning (either before I go to sleep or right after getting up). I heard hot weather is on its way here too, so Ann got the fan out of storage.
I don’t know about photo uploads just yet. I know I can do that but if you want to give it a try as a commenter, let’s see what happens. Fortunately I can approve comments. I’ve already had someone trying to post spam.
spam? that is not creative or maybe it is? I wanted to add to my earlier comment about organization… so maybe, this tendency to organization is a distraction from the creative process… this may be my judgmental side kicking in, because after years of organizational work – managing programs etc. breaking away from that and into a more creative work has been my goal. writing has proven to be a creative process… even research papers, and especially reflection papers. Ray recently read “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell (author of BLINK) and he proposes an interesting concept about putting in your 10,000 hours – that most creative (and successful individuals) geniuses put in an enormous amount of time into their work or creative process. His book is about success, which doesn’t always correlate with creativity, but often it does. One of his examples was the Beatles, they put in an amazing number of hours playing music professionally before they were discovered and found success and many believe creativity. My point is you’ve put in the hours – probably 10,000 hours and more… you are prime. Focus is key here, and that is zen like as well.
Rambling on…
Denissia
Spam is not creative. It is garbage and a waste of resources. Your “ramblings” on the other hand offer something of substance. I completely agree about putting in hours being important to getting to something of real value. I was recently watching Rick Smolan who is a photographer now creating huge publishing projects involving hundreds of photographers and the work produced is fantastic. His m.o. is to put in many, many hours and that his most creative work comes with the sense of pressure not knowing how he’s going to pull it off.
Wow Bruce!
You are amazing. I have been fascinated by the subject of creativity for years and taught workshops in it ions ago.
Thank you, as always, for being on the edge. As for deadlines, I leave to teach in Florence, Italy in 4 days and have had enormous breakthroughs about my subject, artist books, because of my deadline.
The art you have produced with your self imposed deadlines is proof that deadlines can stimulate creativity that might not otherwise happen. But what about the downside or shadow side of deadlines? what about people who collapse or turn passive with deadlines?
Speaking of deadlines- I need to get back to my planning.
I can’t wait to have time to read more of your blog.
Blessings and thanks,
Cathy
Hello Bruce. I love your latest work, which has become a habit with me. I think creativity requires both a love of what you’re doing, as well as discipline. Possibly “Zen” moments come when one breaks through the discipline of meditation—but one ought to smell the roses on the way to where one is as well. Deadlines are definitely a form of discipline… they get you to work at your projects… but I like the “prize carrot” approach as well as the “stick,” if not a “carrot on a stick.” Although a finished work is a reward in itself, I often treat myself to something nice after completing a project—training myself, as it were, to do the work. Once you get over the “training” phase (if ever), I find that ingrained habits (even work habits) free people up to express themselves… even though such expression can be a challenge to those same habits… or as you said, “creating a space were you are no longer trying consciously to control the results.”
Thanks Cathy. I look forward to a report on your Florence trip. I’m sure you and Dan Weldon will offer creative abundance in your workshops. I also know deadlines are exactly that for some people: “dead” lines. Obviously, though, there is a difference for people who can accomplish much even with the pressure of a requirement that something gets created on a schedule. What is that difference? I think it has much to do with how much enthusiasm one has for the work in the first place. If there is little, then the deadline creates more drudgery. If one truly loves and craves the work one is doing, a deadline is just one other way to work within some confine, which can be as interesting an opportunity as anything else. I was listening to a radio show about writers who create with constrictions that to some might seem oppressive. “Procedural writing,” such as a story of 300 pages without the letter “e” or an alphabetical list of game-show answers. Working within the boundaries of some limitation can set the creative mind on a fun ride.
J.D. that is brilliant. The “carrot on a stick” is a perfect description of how limits can offer their own rewards; training yourself to do the work. I love it.