Do What You Do Every Day

Consistent creative output can be challenging even if you have an established process and habit. However, if you don’t have an established process and habit regarding creative output it becomes tougher.

I write a newsletter for my website, and as I write this article, I have written six editions so far, which is consistent. It was established in the beginning that this would be a weekly newsletter, sent out every Thursday. There was no process or habit prior to six weeks ago because I had never done a newsletter before.

I hadn’t given much thought to the process of researching, writing, or preparing topics in advance. Being idealistic, I tend to say “let’s go” without giving consideration to the process. After all, I’m creative and I can do anything at the drop of a hat! (Really?!? Not!) So here is some of what has happened over the past six weeks.

The first week I finished the newsletter late in the evening on Wednesday. I was very happy with the results but I noticed that I needed to plan this writing more in advance.

The second week, I found myself trying to fit the newsletter into my schedule after moving some production work around to accommodate a client. Again, I was very happy with the results but I noticed that I needed to plan this writing more in advance and create a process.

Next, I wanted to turn in the draft for editing on Tuesday of each week to ensure I can sit with the edited version for a day, giving myself time to see how I feel about what I’ve written before the final draft. If I love it, I move forward and all is set for delivery. If not, I begin to feel a bit rushed while attempting to come up with new material and feeling pressured by time constraints.

I noticed that I need to plan more topics in advance and create a process which includes preparing a final draft before Wednesday! What would happen if I got sick on Monday? What if I was still sick on Tuesday, felt better but had a client flying in from out of town on Wednesday? (It happens.)

What would happen to the quality of the newsletter? I noticed that I need to plan in advance and create a process that includes preparing at least a month’s worth of newsletter material in advance! This has been some of my six week old newsletter experience. Still learning!

While all of this has been about my newsletter writing experience, there is a deeper point here; there are processes and habits that I engage in every single day in many different areas of my life. In the area of music I create track ideas, hum beats into my Blackberry, play my keyboard or guitar, edit or mix tracks, etc., every day. Every day!

As a result, when someone comes to The Garden (the studio) and asks “what are you working on” or “can I hear something new” I just have to hit Play. I work on my music and my business every day but I don’t write newsletter and article content every day. Aaah haa! Now I get it. To be prepared for the challenges of consistent creative output regarding the newsletter, I must write every day!

I recently read an article about songwriter Diane Warren. You may not know who she is (Google her), but you have 100% guaranteed heard her songs. She has written over 100 top ten hits covering nearly every style of music. In the article she said, “I write every day; on most days eight hours a day”. Consistent creative output!

Best-selling author Walter Mosley, who has written over 20 books, wrote in his most recent book on novel writing, “A writer writes every day!” I still struggle to produce newsletter copy on time because I don’t write every day. That changes today!

However, I never struggle to produce music or handle my business because I do it every day. No matter what form of artistry you are involved in, great accomplishments come from consistent creative output.

Wisdom from the Grind: To be prepared for the challenges of consistent creative output, do what you do every day!