Prolific Creator: Yes, You Can! Achieve More In Two Simple Steps

Want to become a prolific creator?

You can. Here’s how, in two steps: give yourself permission, and encourage yourself.

Firstly however, let’s look at why you may want to become prolific.

Why become a prolific creator?

You may want to:

• Minimize procrastination, so you get more done.
• Accomplish more in a creative field. If you’re a freelance writer for example, you may want to increase the number of commissions you accept.
• Sell more. Perhaps you’re writing books, or creating printables to sell in an Etsy store. Creating more products will increase your sales.
• End frustration. You may have exciting projects in your pipeline, but can’t get to them—you’re standing in your own way.

You’ll have your own reasons for better productivity. Write the reasons down, briefly, or at length.

Just write whatever comes to mind. Journaling helps to relieve anxiety, and helps you to find solutions for problems. And according to this article in Forbes, you’re more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down.

Now let’s look at the steps.

1. Give yourself permission to create: avoid overthinking

Most of us absorb an endless amount of bad information from our schooling, our family, friends, and bosses. What if the rules you’ve developed for your creativity are wrong?

An example. Last year I suggested to a student in a fiction writing class that perhaps she might avoid developing five drafts of her novel.

Initially she became upset. She wailed that she couldn’t publish a first draft. She named several famous authors who revised endlessly—she sent me links to various articles.

The articles turned out to be marketing pieces. I suggested gently that perhaps these authors were gilding the lily, so to speak. Readers love imagining that authors work hard and rewrite endlessly.

I also suggested that her first draft had emotional energy and impact; each additional draft diluted that.

We developed an editing process she enjoys. She’s written and published a couple of books since the class, and she’s thrilled. Not only is she more prolific, she’s developed more confidence.

So, give yourself permission to create, your way. Follow your natural inclinations. The only “rules” that matter are the ones you discover that work for you.

Please stop overthinking. Go with your inclinations. You’ll be right more often than you’re wrong.

2. Encourage yourself to be creative: think “YES!”

Do you have children? If you do, you strive to build their confidence by reminding them of their strengths, and what they do well.

The same process works with pets. You praise, and encourage.

Unfortunately, we tend to be kind to kids and pets, but we’re much less kind to ourselves.

Way back in 2012, Australia’s Commonwealth Bank launched its yes we can advertising campaign.

Why not try the yes, I can mantra yourself?

Whenever you tell yourself that you can’t, assure yourself you can.

Yes, you can become a prolific creator

Follow the two steps. I’d love to hear how they work for you.

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