I have to... I have to have... But do you



For the longest time I’ve had the mind set that “I have to have my next project.” I was working my creative brain so hard that it was causing creative block. Mixing the stress of finding and figuring out “what’s my next project,” just caused undo stress. This stress made everything worse in my life. I couldn’t focus on the other work, which made me struggle to know if I was doing things right. It even made me question if “I wanted to do,” whatever task was on the need to do list. I was also beating myself up because “I haven’t carved today, or this week.” Or I was feeling bad because “I didn’t know what to make.” Ultimately this limited the fun, the creativity, and the entire process for what I truly fell in love with.

            I have learned to take another approach for my hobby of “creating things.” I have learned to love the passion of exploring different ways of creating things and working with specific material. Even the passion of learning how different tools work. There has been even more driving force of showing me what it is that “I’m capable of,” with solid investment of time and of course patience.

            I have mentioned in previous blogs about one thing I have learned to value is “my time.” Putting a monetary value for my time is still really difficult. Probably because I tend to lean more toward the value and purpose behind the project that I am making. I also love the journey with each project that I create. Seeing how my work impacts each person who I give them to. I find value in helping to create a priceless treasure and memento for a person who may never have thought it would have been possible.

            Now how to change the “I have to have.” I honestly don’t have a name for what to change it to. I might call it “the next idea will come.” I believe this because I’ve seen it. Over time my motivation has been like a roller coaster. Sometimes I am full steam ahead for a project and it gets completed really quickly. On the other hand, some projects take longer. Reasons are many and change at times. For some idea like the blog entitled “the case of the random yard log verse angle grinder.” I had an idea, the means, and the space to try. It was also what I was currently motivated to work on. So, the project that I brought with me took a seat on the back burner. There is nothing wrong with having a revolving door and working “a little on each project.”

    

            I just recently completed two projects. I of course still am working on the walking cane. But I shifted gears briefly. I of course still love wood carving and will keep doing it. Even a hobby needs a change of pace or some people my say “a vacation from.” These last weeks I have explored and just had fun painting. It is where my motivation drove me. There is nothing wrong with taking a break and shifting gears. It helps your mind relax and remember what you truly enjoy. My project motivation is driven through and by my heart, which gives my brain ideas, usually at the most random times.

            This last week I was relaxing after finishing my weekly “half to tasks.” I became randomly motivated and painted the Salt Lake temple. Because I wanted to do something creative and I saw the printed stencil I made for a previous project. So, I got a canvas and started working. I loved how it came out. Of course, I still have no plans to become a painter. I am just having fun being creative and seeing what I’m capable of. I am a firm believer in working with different materials to learn full circle how it works and the different ways it can make you work better.

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