Photo by Johann Walter Bantz
Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
What do you do when a brilliant idea hits you unexpectedly? We all know the feeling- that little creative jolt of inspiration… but it’s not always convenient to drop what you’re doing and immediately begin working on this fantastic new idea. And even if you could, would you want to rely on inspiration to strike in order to take action?
Creative distractions are the easiest way to break away from creative work sessions. In today’s episode, we’re discussing how to make space for them without impacting the work that needs to be done.
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Whatever your creative project is, inspiration has a weird way of striking right when you start working on something else. We often get creative ideas when we aren’t in any position to act on them. Beyond that, fresh ideas are always more appealing than the grind of a project already underway.
While it can feel valuable to stop what you’re doing to harness an idea or the feeling of inspiration, ask yourself, is this a great idea? Or is this another form of distraction?
And if it is a great idea, can you quickly put a few words on a piece of paper or in your notes and get back to work?
Have a Plan to Get Back to Work
If you linger on a new idea for too long, you’ll soon lose momentum on the thing you were working on. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your creativity is best left unrestricted. Have a plan for how you want to handle this scenario.
By quickly jotting your ideas down appear – on your notepad, Evernote, a piece of paper, or wherever– in half a sentence or less, you can avoid interrupting the flow of your previous work.
Discipline Matters
In a recent episode, I talked about the importance of planning and consistency in improving your creative work session. Planning your creative work gives it structure, allowing your creativity to flow.
Once you’re in the flow, it’s easier to capture any creative flash quickly and switch back. And that takes tremendous discipline.
So, the next time you encounter an amazing idea unexpectedly, don’t resist it. Record it quickly before it unhooks you from essential work.
Enjoy!
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