Relevant – appropriate to the current time, period or circumstances. How is this important to the creative process? For one thing, it allows you to succeed – one step at a time.
Do your goals fit where you are right now? This question takes into account your time and financial restraints as well as your skill level. It’s easy to leap ahead of with a big idea – and then fall flat on your face!
Suppose you want to write a children’s book – that is the big goal. What aspect of that is relevant right now? What “next step” makes the most sense? Do you need to take a course in child development, review children’s literature, go to a book convention, join a professional association, commit to writing daily, find a publisher? Start where YOU are NOW.
While we never want to let go of our big, major goals, staying relevant helps keep us sane. Especially during certain times of the year – holidays, summer – when your normal routine, finances, energy may all be rearranged by company and vacations. So be kind to yourself, allow your expectations to be more manageable during busy times – and let yourself enjoy every little step along the way!
“Creativity thrives on small, do-able actions.”
Julia Cameron
Ask yourself –
Where am I frustrated by overreaching?
What goals are actually relevant to my current situation?
Can I allow myself to enjoy these small accomplishments so I don’t give up?
Now that Fall is on its way, take a day to yourself and create some goals that may turn into reality during the winter! Patty & Suzanne
Liz and Dharma Updates:
We’re both back from vacations and back at our writing goals…a few new fictional characters presented themselves to us during our travels, and so we are busy fleshing out who they are and how they fit in to the storyline. Stay tuned!