Three Compelling Reasons Why Resolutions Centered on Creativity for New Year's Are Generally Unwise (且提供替代方案)
As we ring in the New Year, many of us are inspired to make resolutions, and for artists and writers, this often includes creative endeavours. However, it's important to approach these resolutions with care and thoughtfulness to ensure success.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
All too often, creative resolutions are made with vague, unrealistic goals, without a clear action plan or motivation. This can lead to early failure and a loss of focus. It's essential to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals, have an actionable plan, and maintain a strong motivation to achieve creative success.
The Power of Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic motivation, the kind of motivation that doesn't wait until New Year's Day, is more powerful and better than extrinsic motivation. This is the drive that comes from within, the passion for creating something simply because it brings joy and satisfaction. If you have intrinsic motivation, you probably won't want to wait until New Year's Day to get started on a project.
Managing Expectations
Lowering expectations can help reduce pressure and increase creative freedom. Starting a creative project with a more modest goal, such as writing a first novel to see if one can, can lead to learning experiences and potential success. On the other hand, starting with a resolution to write a bestseller or masterpiece can be counterproductive. High expectations can lead to deleting work in frustration because it doesn't meet unreachable standards, and can even cause feelings of inadequacy and writer's block.
Structure and Inspiration
For those who find structure helpful, the seven-point story structure can be a useful tool when writing articles or creating a novella. However, it's important to remember that structure should serve as a guide, not a strict rule. Creativity requires nurturing divergent thinking and embracing quantity over immediate quality in ideas.
Preparation is Key
Starting a creative project on New Year's Day can be exciting, but it can also lead to being unprepared. The trap of thinking that the project will be as exhilarating as starting it on that day can be misleading. It's important to do some preparation before diving in, such as researching, outlining, and gathering necessary materials.
In conclusion, the New Year can be a great time to make creativity-related resolutions. By avoiding common pitfalls, focusing on intrinsic motivation, managing expectations, and preparing well, you can set yourself up for success in your creative pursuits.
[1] Pekoeblaze, an artist and writer, warns against beginning a creative project on New Year's Day due to the potential trap of high-pressure commitments and lack of preparation.
[2] Research shows that setting non-specific or unrealistic goals, having no actionable plan, weak motivation, and attempting too many changes simultaneously can lead to failure in creative projects.
[3] Abrupt or poorly planned resolutions can suppress the natural creative process, making it essential to approach creative resolutions with care and thoughtfulness.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, it is crucial to remember that our intrinsic motivation, the passion for creating, should drive our creative efforts rather than external pressures.
- The culinary world, much like creative pursuits, benefits from the careful setting of SMART goals when developing new recipes. Achievable, measurable, and time-bound targets enable success in cooking and food-and-drink endeavors.
- In the fashion-and-beauty industry, it's essential to be aware that rapidly making resolutions or trying to change too many aspects at once can smother the creative process. Careful planning and thoughtfulness can help foster innovation in designing new styles and trends.
){kind=link}