I am an artist and I have a lot of stuff to do, but I have to be completely self- motivated to get it done. I tend to blow days off and do nothing all day. Is there a good book or technique that has worked really well for you? If someone tries to urge me to work, it has the opposite desired effect. I am someone who strongly resents and resists authority.
2006-08-30 06:35:28 · 5 answers · asked by martin h 6 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Read the book "7 habits of Highly Effective People" by Covey. It's a little dry (the teenage version by his son is funny and basicly the same thing, just for a younger audience). It changed my whole attitude and I felt great after reading it. Other than that, get a planner and write out your whole day.... just be careful you don't spend all your time planning your day! (I've done that while trying to study, more time planning then doing! ha ha). Good luck on your art.... one of these days I'll take my own advice and start my novel!
2006-08-30 07:20:07 · answer #1 · answered by Leslie W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without a doubt, it's Natalie Goldberg's _Writing Down the Bones_. She's a poet and runs writing workshops, but a lot of her suggestions will be adaptable with a bit of creativity. What I personally find most helpful is her attitude that we all have something worth expressing -- I rarely follow her suggestions but reading a section or two can get me writing regardless.
Two universal suggestions that are really important:
Define a specific time for your work and don't do anything else during that time, just paint or write or whatever you do. If it's rubbish, it's rubbish, but you'll learn things and you'll be working when the flow or inspiration or whatever hits you.
Dedicate a space for your work, just being there will help your brain get into work mode. But when you get stuck or bored or repetitive, try working somewhere else.
2006-08-30 15:27:12 · answer #2 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ive had that problem too and i keep lists. i tend to forget or blow off my goals but when i make a habit of writing lists there is something that came from me to refer to. then i can look at it and say oh ya i WANTED to do that, instead of having someone tell me i should do it. why i get a block on a project i move on to another one or do something else like chores and dont skip a beat. when im ready to come back to the first project my motivation is usually back.
2006-08-30 13:41:17 · answer #3 · answered by bluebellezza 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should schedule your work. For example, I will work from 8am - 4:30pm, after that I can do whatever I want. Once you get into the habit it will get easier. I tend to do a lot of nothing in the evenings and weekends when I get in a rut like that. You have to force yourself to get your work done, no one can make you work.
2006-08-30 13:46:38 · answer #4 · answered by hello 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, do what you like man, you sound cool, don't change your behavior just because people tell you too.
2006-08-30 13:39:27 · answer #5 · answered by blinX 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋