Recently, I asked a writer friend how much time he usually spends writing. He told me it’s always different. It all depends on when inspiration strikes.
Yikes. That’s unreliable.
Waiting for inspiration to move you? My goodness. What would the world look like if everyone did that?
Can you imagine getting to work and sitting around doing random things until you felt inspired? Your boss or clients would take issue with that. Your bank account and bills would too.
This is the part where creative types say “But art is different. It’s not like regular work.”
Oh, really? Can you imagine if you paid to see someone in concert and they stood on stage until they felt inspired? You’d ask for your money back.
Don’t let yourself be at the mercy of inspiration.
If you pay me to talk for 20 minutes at a conference, I’m going to make sure you get your money’s worth. I won’t wait for inspiration, I’ll create it for you.
Yes, inspiration strikes at random moments. Sure, some of our best ideas and work stem from such unpredictable moments but that’s just it — you can’t rely on unpredictable.
Here’s the truth: You’ll produce your best work on a schedule.
The level of your work, your art, and your craft isn’t dictated by random moments of inspiration. Amateurs wait for inspiration, professionals wield it on a schedule.
“This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favor in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete.”
—Steven Pressfield
Those wise words apply to anyone aiming to master a craft, whether it’s “art” or not. Some would say that every craft is an art, which would make us all artists in a way.
Internal Pressure Is the Key
If you’re serious about mastering your craft, then learn to create internal pressure when it’s time to work.
Internal pressure leads to focused performance. This is why you get more work done when you’re employed and a paycheck is on the line — at least I hope that’s the case. Internal pressure is the same reason a musician performs during a concert, even she’s not in the mood. It’s the same reason there’s a 24-second shot-clock in basketball.
An easy way to create pressure to perform is by leveraging time. Start assigning timeframes to your work.
Timeframes are really time limits because they have a start and an end time.
Most people assign a time to start something but leave the finish time vague. Usually, they do an activity until it’s time to start the next one.
That’s not specific enough. In taking that approach, you’re leaving your focus and concentration in the hands of the next activity — yes, even if you yourself scheduled the next activity. That’s no different than waiting for inspiration.
It’s the time limit of your task that creates the internal pressure you want. You’ll suddenly go from working through your time to getting from your time.
When it’s time to work, you’ll prioritize tasks better. When it’s time to relax, you’ll enjoy it more. If it’s time to play, you’ll stay engaged the whole time knowing that it’s scheduled to end soon.
That’s called being present. Being present also means being focused. We all want more of that.
Don’t leave your productivity in the hands of your next activity. Don’t wait for inspiration. Start calling the shots internally. It’s time to tell your skill and talent when it’s time to get to work.
You’re the boss.
– Luis