Comments on: Momentum Mania: How to Get Your Groove Back in 7 Simple Steps

By: Routine: No Longer the Enemy of Creative Folk. « Elbow Macaroni and Glue-On

Routine: No Longer the Enemy of Creative Folk. « Elbow Macaroni and Glue-On — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:14:22 +0000

[...] And because some of us need a little reminder about momentum… [...]

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:45:03 +0000

The concept of small goals was so incredibly helpful to me this morning I just had to write to say “THANKS!!!”. I am an artist working on an installation piece for an upcoming show I am in and I set myself a short-term goal/deadline to get something concrete done do I could send some writing on the piece and ideally some images to the curator for publicity. Despite spending hours in my studio each day, I had a nagging feeling that I “wasn’t getting anything accomplished”. No amount of time felt adequate for me. Last night I shared with one of my meditation buddies how discouraged I felt because here I am living my dream, working in my studio each day, invited to be in this amazing exhibition on art and spirituality with artists I admire, having a balanced day with time in the garden, time to make healthy meals and take yummy naps but still I wasn’t feeling at peace with it. I realized I needed to break the big 3 week goal into smaller daily chunks. So today I set the goal to do 3 hours in the studio. No nebulous all day fuzziness where I am drifting in and out of focus. Three focused hours. It feels great. I have done 2 now and have one to go and still will have plenty of time to take care of some of my other pending commitments! Woo hoo! Thanks, Christine! Can’t wait to delve more into your blog. So much richness here.

By: Mindful Mimi

Mindful Mimi — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:51:54 +0000

Christine,
Great tips. I love the ‘create the space’. I tend to get all stressed in the morning deciding what to wear. Choosing that in the evening would save me a lot of hassle.
Thanks.
Mimi

By: Giulietta

Giulietta — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:38:03 +0000

Christine, love this post. Most helpful.

I try to just do it and worry about “getting it right” later. Otherwise, it never gets done. Today I am going to “just do it” for a column I need to start writing.

Thx,

By: Tim (360 Degree Self)

Tim (360 Degree Self) — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:06:35 +0000

Hey Christine:

Great post…I’ve had some trouble gaining momentum in my job search. I like the “create the space” tip and will have to try it. I know this sounds old fashioned, but a yesterday I really prayed to be productive and gain momentum and I had a day of intense focus and productivity. My best day in a long time.

By: Christine Kane

Christine Kane — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:19:08 +0000

These are great comments, as usual. (My readers quite simply rock!)

By: Rhiannon

Rhiannon — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:09:53 +0000

My favourites from these are the timer and just do it.

I use the timer to get going with all kinds of tasks and as “I let it go” said, it often sets in motion a longer burst of energy. But with some tasks I really do just say to myself ” ok, I’m going to do 15 minutes of this just now” – and it is amazing just how much can me achieved in that short time.

Just do it – or as Julia Cameron called it “showing up at the page”. If I always waited until I felt inspired to take a photo, or edit or develop something new I could wait forever. I just set off and see how it unfolds. I have used this technique with my “12 city project”. Although it is a fun project, that doesn’t stop it being difficult at times. I haven’t always felt like spending another day walking around a city , looking for that perfect shot. Sometims I have felt disorientated or overwhelmed or just plain shattered from the last few days. But I get up in the morning and set off- and just that action sets the rest in motion.

I also love the last idea of a minimum baseline – and will borrow that thought for the next cities.

Thanks Christine for your continued inspiration.

By: chris zydel

chris zydel — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:29:13 +0000

Hi Christine,

Yes, that momentum thing can really throw a wrench in the creative works. What I love about what you’ve talked about AND what I have learned the HARD way over many years of trial and error is the power of persistence and consistency. When I get myself in trouble is when I go for all or nothing – whether it’s a writing project or losing 10 lbs… that’s when things backfire on me. But I always make progress when I put a system into place. Slow and steady really DOES win the race!

Thanks for another great post.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:58:21 +0000

I love what Elizabeth Gilbert said about showing up to write in the face of the daunting task of creating something as fabulous as “Eat, Pray, Love”. She said she decided to believe that there was a daimon – a spirit who either infuses your work with greatness, or not. If it shows up, great! Another best seller! If not, at least *she* shows up – and that’s all she can ever do. That story always makes me smile and has gotten me to do many a thing when I didn’t feel *inspired*.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:00:37 +0000

What a timely post. It is the end of the academic year and a great excuse to delay taking the next step into what I do when I don’t teach. I am going to use all these ideas to work on all the things I say I will do “when summer comes”. Wait, Wait….not all the things. I will pick one thing and learn how to recommit over and over.
THANKS!