Create Pressure

One of my biggest sources of creative block is procrastination. If I have five hours to do a one hour job I will never feel motivated. But if I have 30 minutes to do a 1 hour job…I get it done. In fact, the product I turn out in that 30 minutes is often better than the product I turn out in five hours.

The elemental difference in those two scenarios is pressure. Pressure is a necessary part of creating. Pressure is the tracks to the locomotion of our brains. Pressure keeps us on task.

It’s easy for creatives to desire a work environment with very little pressure. But creative falls into disorder when the pressure is off.

So next time you aren’t feeling motivated, put a little pressure on yourself. Tell your spouse you want to take them out for dinner in an hour. You now have one hour to finish your project. Promise a client you’ll have your project finished earlier than you feel comfortable with. Then deliver.

Create pressure.