How to conquer procrastination and unlock a more creative you

“I just don’t have enough time in the day for a hobby or to learn something new.”

“I daydream while working in my 9-5 that I could be doing something more creative for me, rather than lining someone else’s pocket.”

“When I do get free time I most likely procrastinate and resort to laying horizontal clicking through Netflix.”

Do these statements sound relatable?

As a creative individual, I have always struggled to find the time to pursue my creative endeavors. Balancing work and being a full-time parent, along with the never-ending responsibilities of house cleaning, clothes washing, dog walking, and food shopping, often leaves me feeling like the day slips away too quickly. Meanwhile, I observe my friends and other parents my age who manage to excel in their creative side projects. Instead of simply daydreaming during a typical 9-5 job, imagine if I could easily allocate four full working days each month without compromising my existing schedule. This would result in 48 dedicated days a year solely for me to focus on my talents and passions. Essentially, it would provide me with nearly a month and a half of uninterrupted creative work!

Over the past 12 months, a close friend of mine has accomplished remarkable feats despite juggling numerous responsibilities. She managed to write two novels, attend numerous book signings and interviews, established her own YouTube channel, and even secure an agent, all while working full time and fulfilling her role as a dedicated mother to a 3-year-old and a loving wife. Naturally, I couldn't help but wonder: How on earth does she find the time and energy to devote herself so passionately to her creative pursuits? Intrigued, I finally gathered the courage to ask her about her secret, and to my astonishment, her answer was surprisingly simple.

Introducing the Creative Hour

By committing to just one hour per day, you can unleash a more creative version of yourself. This dedicated creative hour effectively grants you the time that you once believed was elusive. The key lies in selecting the most suitable hour for this purpose. I opted to utilise my creative hour immediately after finishing work but before picking up my children from their childminders. This specific time slot aligns perfectly with my daily routine, causing minimal disruption to my day-to-day life. Moreover, it tends to be when I am most alert and engaged, avoiding the late evening hours when fatigue sets in.

Small chunks

Many individuals experience burnout even before they commence their creative endeavors. The anxiety induced by facing a blank canvas or overwhelming oneself with tasks often leads to a tendency to procrastinate.

For instance, imagine the scenario of needing to build an art portfolio for a website. The mere thought of such a colossal undertaking can trigger a cascade of questions and uncertainties. Should I create a series of collaborative paintings? Which artistic style should I showcase? I'm inspired by the display of artwork at the Tate...

This type of thinking, where there's a sense of too much to accomplish in too little time, immediately leaves one feeling as though time is insufficient, resulting in a decision to postpone the task until tomorrow. However, the truth is that time is available; it's just that the cluttered mindset prevents clear thinking.

To overcome this, it's important to shift focus from thinking big to thinking small. Instead of fixating on the desire to change the world through art, start considering what can be done today to make progress toward that ultimate goal. Perhaps begin by creating a to-do list for the overall project, and in the next session, select one item from the list to work on. Taking small, manageable steps will pave the way for further achievements.

For example:

I need to build my art portfolio on my website.

CH1	CH2	CH3	CH4	CH5	CH6	CH7	CH8	CH9	CH10
Look at the previous work you have created and select which ones you would like to feature.	Prep 1-2 pieces to be uploaded online.	Prep 1-2 pieces to be uploaded online.	Prep 1-2 pieces to be uploaded online.	Have a look online at portfolio examples and create a mood board.	Sketch out some website page thumbnails based off your mood board and ideas.	Start the build	Continue the build	Review and upload the prepped artwork	Sign off and publish

While the given example allows for 10 creative hours, you may discover that you complete the tasks more swiftly than anticipated. In such cases, feel free to skip an hour or two and proceed accordingly. The crucial realisation here is that within just two weeks of believing there was no time available, I accomplished the entire process of critiquing, refining, building, and publishing my new portfolio, with minimal impact on my daily routine.

Limits

The crucial rule to follow is to adhere to the designated hour of creative time. Before starting the hour, set an alarm for one hour. When the alarm goes off, regardless of whether you're amid a sketch or painting, take a moment to jot down a brief note about your current progress and then step away. The purpose of these limits is to prevent burnout and foster anticipation for the next creative hour. Additionally, by ending on a specific task, you have clarity on what needs to be done and can seamlessly resume from where you left off.

Make it a ‘thing’!

Communicate with your partner or the people you live with about the importance of a dedicated creative hour that you are committed to. By doing so, they become aware that during this hour, you are "on DND" (Do Not Disturb). My wife understands how much joy completing a creative hour brings me, and she often asks about the specific time I plan to dedicate to it each night or adjusts her schedule to offer support. The beauty of it all is that it's just an hour, equivalent to the time it takes to watch another episode of your favourite series.

Creative hours serve as a fantastic method to overcome procrastination and make significant progress with your creative ideas, ultimately bringing positive change into your life. Although the concept is simple, it has transformed my world. I have successfully finished commissions, secured placement of my artwork in my first retail outlet, stocked inventory, and started selling online. If you've taken up this challenge, feel free to DM me on Instagram—I would love to hear about your experiences.