Creative Laziness Is A Disservice (my struggles + solutions)
Creative laziness is a disservice to yourself, those around you and the world at large. This realization sparked a massive shift in my artistic life. It’s a new perspective, and it’s motivating.
There can be a million reasons not to do something (difficulty, vulnerability, imposter syndrome, fears, looking awkward, overwhelm…etcetera).
But all you need is one really good reason to try, to do and to keep showing up. And for me, this is that one reason — creative laziness is a disservice.
This post is direct, because it rings so true.
It’s okay to feel lazy sometimes. But it sucks if it becomes a pattern that turns into a habit that turns into a lifestyle.
So with no more ado, let’s get to it!
Table of Contents Show
What Is Creative Laziness?
Creative laziness is chronic inaction on (or an inability to finish) your creative ideas, goals and projects. It's an artistic ennui.
Not everything needs to be done or finished, but when nothing is, then that’s a problem.
It’s also worth pointing out that taking a break because of creative burnout is different — that’s okay and a smart move. And stepping away to be intentionally ‘lazy’ can actually boost creativity.
The issue is if laziness becomes a pattern of not trying, starting or finishing any of your creative work.
So let’s look at the signs.
Signs of Creative Laziness
Having more unfinished projects than finished ones
A lack of motivation or spark when creating
Having a lot of excuses (perfectionism, time, resources, tools, etc.)
Overplanning and over-brainstorming
Having long and frequent stretches of not working on your craft
Wasting time on things that really don’t matter or move the needle
Causes of Creative Laziness
Comparing yourself too much to others
Not being proud or happy with your work
Not having a clear creative purpose, goal, project or intention
Boredom and a lack of enjoyment for the process
Impatience
Unrealistic expectations
Creative Laziness Is A Disservice (here’s why)
You need to share your gift, authentic voice and ideas with the world. Here’s why.
Somebody somewhere is waiting for (and needs) your work and yours alone.
Somebody somewhere can only be inspired by your unique ideas, experiences, voice and take on life — because no one else can resonate with them like the way you can. That person is waiting for you and your creative vessel to show up and help them.
Personally, this realization lights a fire in me.
It nips my creative laziness in the proverbial bud.
But let's go a little further. Because creative laziness is also a disservice to yourself.
Whether by nature, some source-energy in the universe or some etheric higher version of yourself, you were given an innate talent, inclination or vision to create something. And by not creating that something, you’re wasting it.
It’s like being given the perfect ingredients and skills to cook the perfect meal, but you decide to let the food rot in the fridge.
Don’t throw away your purpose. Listen to the voice in your head.
How to Overcome Creative Laziness
1. Remember That Creative Laziness is a Disservice
This is what’s been motivating me the most lately. And it’s what I talked about throughout this whole post, so I won’t be a broken record here.
But just think about that single person you’re creating for. Have them as an audience avatar in mind. Because they’re waiting for you to show up.
And think about your innate abilities and inclinations to make something. Because by not making it, you’re wasting it and insulting whatever gave it to you.
For me, I believe destiny is attached to things we feel most drawn to and that come the easiest. We always have the free will to choose another path, but if you choose the destined one, it’ll be easier (not easy, easier) and you’ll succeed far beyond what you can imagine.
Remember this.
2. (Re)find Your Spark
Why did you pick up that paint brush, guitar or pen (or whatever your art tool is) in the first place?
Refind your spark, because it’s still there (otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this article).
Your spark is that thing that got you started. It’s your inner child who just wants to play and make stuff without any rules, algorithms or external stuff messing everything up.
Find that again. Here are some tips:
Revisit your childhood (places you went, things you did, old artwork, etcetera)
Practice creative flow state and intuition
Create a mission statement and vision
Do more things that inspire you
3. Define Better Success Metrics
Success is subjective as f*ck. It can create excitement just as much as overwhelm and anxiety. And unrealistic, socially-defined, misplaced success can lead to inaction — laziness.
So (re)define it. Or if you’ve never thought about what success means to you, you should probably start by defining it.
Here are some things I like to keep in mind when thinking about my own definition of creative success:
Don’t make it a number
Never compare yourself to anyone except your past self
Small Ws are more important than ‘bigger’ ones
Don’t obsessively look for results (like constantly refreshing your notifications)
Make it personal (not defined by society, culture, friends, family, etc.)
Remember, there are no finish lines, only checkpoints
4. Stop Doom Scrolling
Like many artists (and people), I have a love-hate relationship with social media. Despite its usefulness, it has this uncanny ability to make you compare, feel behind and judge yourself unfairly.
Again, these negative emotions segue into creative inaction, self doubt and laziness. So one simple solution is to just break the social media habit.
Here are some tips and tools to reset your social media use:
Use apps that block or limit your social media use
Buy another phone (with wifi only) to keep all of your social media on
Make your apps hard to reach (i.e., not on your homescreen)
Delete accounts — have just 1-2 that make the most sense
Curate a better feed (start following more inspiring and motivating creators)
5. Get Rid of Expectations
I support expectations to a certain extent. For example, manifesting requires you to fully accept and expect some future event as if it’s already happened.
This type of expectation can work in your favor. But it’s the how we get there that tends to muddy things up.
Have a strong conviction in your ability to reach some checkpoint in your creative vision. But stay open to how you get there. Keep your expectations flexible.
When you’re flexible with the how, you’ll see more opportunities that come up along the way.
Just enjoy the ride and keep an eye out for pivots and explore your intuition.
6. Surround Yourself With More Creative People
I’m as good as the company I keep. I still forget this, because being isolated and introverted feels good for the artist too.
But if you’re dealing with creative laziness especially, surrounding yourself with more like-minded people will do wonders for your ennui.
It’s a form of accountability, mutual support and community. When you see others creating their vision, you can’t help but join. Otherwise, you’ll feel like an outcast.
This is getting into the psychology of tribe mentality and group motivation/group consciousness. But whatever the reason, it works.
Find more artsy friends (online or in-person). These are your people. And they won’t let you be lazy.
7. Have Projects (not goals)
Art without a project is like art without a home.
I’m all for creating art for the sake of creating art, but if you’re dealing with rampant inaction and creative laziness, it helps to attach things to some vision or creative project.
This is different from a goal, which is some want or desire or hope. A project is tangible and based in the present moment. Notice the difference:
“I have a goal…”
“I have a project (I’m working on)...”
So create a project for your art to live in. It can be short term or long term. But if it’s a long-term vision, I recommend breaking it down into more manageable milestones (you know, to avoid pesky overwhelm).
So, have projects to give your creativity a space to play.
Explore more:
➤ Have Projects, Not Goals
Later ✌️
Creative laziness gets the best of us. Don’t feel too bad about it — it’s normal. But how long will you let it last?
And are you going to let it hijack your creative dream?
No way! Right?
The best strategy I’ve found (recently) is to remember that my creative laziness is actually doing a disservice to myself, those around me and the world at large.
It’s like throwing away a gift you received — that thing that gives you an unfair advantage (your innate understanding or ability to do something).
Creativity needs to take breaks sometimes, for sure. But when it becomes chronic and ongoing (a habit), it can become normal (a lifestyle).
So nip it in the bud and refind your spark. Define better success metrics, manage your expectations and surround yourself with more motivating people.
Have projects and create amazing things. Because someone somewhere needs it.
Want More? Nice. Here’s More.
