No creative professional wants it to happen, yet, every artist finds them putting themselves 100% into their craft, to the point where they begin to isolate themselves from the rest of the world.
But is it right to always be available to your craft? Let’s take a deeper dive:
Are You Available to Your Craft?
Creativity is a finite resource and something that isn’t there all the time. Somedays, no matter how urgent you need to submit your work, you can’t draw out a sentence on the page despite all the inspiration, resources, and motivation. And sometimes, despite things being clumsy, your creative mind overflows with ideas and inspiration, and you can pour your mind and heart out on paper without any hassle.
However, on the days of overflowing creative juice, holding yourself back from total detachment from the world and giving your 100% into the craft becomes a challenge.
And when the overpouring inspiration and information find the perfect balance, your creativity for the craft reaches another level. But unfortunately, many creative professionals can find themselves stuck in the craft under such circumstances, working all hours of the day.
With all your time and attention towards your craft, you might feel as though you need to spend more time with friends and family and self-care. To an extent, it might also feel selfish, as though it is not fair to devote so much time to do what you love.
Here’s how Phonix Ash explains it’s okay to be available for your craft:
Let Your Craft Overflow
The overflow occurs when all of your monotonous, arduous labor suddenly comes together to produce something wonderful. It’s the point at which your task starts to seem effortless.
It’s okay if your inspiration leads you to create something completely different from what you had in mind.
The objective is that once it begins to flow, it should no longer seem like work.
Make Time
Paint until your arm hurts. Write until you can’t write anymore. Sign until your voice goes husky.
You will never find a perfect blend of inspiration and motivation to follow your craft than today, so take the chance. Don’t be fooled by the perfectionism myths; get going and see what occurs.
Do not succumb to your worries of failing or make excuses for not showing up. Instead, simply start- and keep going till you want.
Understand the Simple Formula
Here is the formula: Information + Inspiration = Creation
It isn’t easy to produce without knowledge. To begin, you’ll need some “stuff”:
If you’re a writer, you’ll need something to write about.
You’ll need a key if you’re a musician. If you’re a painter, you’ll need a canvas.
You get the drift. It doesn’t end there, though. Your work will lack creativity if you don’t become inspired, and you’ll wind up regurgitating the same information over and over again.
You can create and innovate work that the world has yet to witness. It may take some time and work to reach a place where it flows, but it exists.
Practice Setting Boundaries
Engulfed in the daily tasks, many fail to follow up with their craft. Since paid commitment always takes the priority, your passion or craft can often get passed to the back seat. That’s why it is important to define boundries.
Of course, you shouldn’t quit your job or put the important relationships on hold to pursue your craft. But, here’s something to think about:
Why are you more driven to keep the promises you have made to others than those you have made to yourself?
Keep in mind that you are working on your craft just for you. It is the self-care you owe yourself.
So, set boundaries to create rooms for your craft and passion projects to foster.
In Conclusion
Many successful philosophies urge you to be ruthless when it comes to pursuing your craft. Time and again, you have been encouraged to cut out distractions, concentrate on one task, and invest in talents that you advance in your professional career leaving little to no room for your craft to develop.
However, creativity, innovation, and originality come from a broad perspective.
It is difficult to take time out for your passion and focus on your craft; but author Phonix Ash points out, “It okay to be available to your craft, that’s how you breathe.”
You have the right to be selfish when it comes to picking and following through with your craft, but for the right reasons. Money and long-term professional success aren’t necessarily the best motivators. Instead, learn to be loyal to yourself, or as Phoenix says,
“Nurture your soul by working on your craft.”
Listner to Phoneix Ash discussing why prioritizing your craft is like prioritizing your life:
