Simple tips on beating the block (Part 2)
Last week, this column gave some suggestions on tackling and defeating artist’s block. This is its continuation. Yes, the artist’s block is real. This is usually a condition, or a lame excuse (unfortunately, it’s usually the latter), when an artist loses the ability to produce any new or inspired work.
Beating artist’s block takes some real work. Here below are more tips continuing from last week on how to overcome the bad block.
Be goal-oriented, but set a schedule.
There’s something about a work routine that makes it one of the most ultimate love-hate things in the world. Tell an artist to follow a schedule, and his mind goes nuts. But emotions, no matter how beautiful and true, are still capable of lying. The worse liar in our lifetime is time. No matter how she shuffles trends in cycles, your body is never the same since that moment you’ve inhaled your first sampling of the atmosphere. Set goals and put deadlines. Follow them. But then, this leads us back to tip number two. Because if you put yourself in charge of telling yourself that it’s time to start to wake up and work—the snooze button will be the end of you.
Be open-minded; dig for old and new inspiration.
This is usually the first thing that people bring up when artists are faced with the block. Well, it is true. Some of people’s creativity are triggered by seeing, hearing, tasting new and fresh sensations they haven’t experienced before. But for this story, I placed it last and with a point. Because when it comes to things like the artist’s block, action trumps inspiration. Movement trumps enlightenment. Sure, keep your eyes and ears open and get all the inspiration that you can. Evolve with the times, but never compromise your personal voice and style. But at the end of the day, all is for naught if you don’t decide to push yourself to work despite how you’re feeling or what you’re thinking.
Be real. Measure yourself.
Some individuals place such a heavy burden on themselves to perform at a high capacity only to burn out. These same people fail to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves what they know and are capable of. If you’re secure about what you are good at and what you can currently pull off, you won’t go beating yourself with a stick after releasing your work. Be real and be honest. Don’t expect to be J R.R. Tolkien or George R.R. Martin when you didn’t even study for it or spend hours under some guiding and mentoring. Epic takes work. Know who you are and be the best at it.