5 Stirring Questions the Most Determined Creatives Constantly Ask Themselves to Maintain Focus

Again, it’s all about asking the right questions

Creativity runs on several invisible legs. One of them is dogged determination.

In the end, it’s the most determined creatives who are more likely to part through the red sea and cross to the other side. From afar, you’ll think it’s a walk in the park.

That’s why many people get the funny impression you can get up one day, rent a shiny studio or office, build a smooth website and brand, and you’ve made it.

Not at all. That kind of thinking is a trap. Many have followed that mindset and lost themselves at sea.

But as challenging as the creative voyage gets, the most determined creatives will always sail over, and keep their heads above water while at it. In doing so, they consistently ask themselves these questions to keep them going.

What if it all ended tomorrow?

When you’re enjoying the immense power of the internet — certainly in terms of a medium to amplify your message and attract new clients — you could get complacent. Or, at least relax in the middle of a plateau for a while.

But the most determined creatives always ask themselves what will happen if their beloved platform perished tomorrow? No, it’s not about being a prophet of doom and always praying to the god of destruction. But it’s about being pragmatic.

Beyond that, they ask themselves, “What if my freelance clients boot me out? What if my publishers say they’ve had enough of me?” etc.

You may change careers or cities, get a restraining order, develop a strange disinterest, welcome a baby, or succumb to many factors that make up life.

However, with these questions lurking in the shadows cast by the spotlight of success, the most determined creatives make the most of every current opportunity. And also explore other new ones.

Where’s the nearest finish line?

I hate to say this, but there’ll always be an end to every (good) thing. As emotional as it is, the fun ride will come to a destination. That’s why the most determined creatives ask themselves, but where’s that destination?

With this question at the forefront of your mind, you’ll have a target at which you can always aim your shots. By shots, I mean your content. I mean your every move.

When you know where you want to end things, the journey ceases to be one where you’re constantly groping in the dark, hoping to find something that sticks.

When you have an end in sight, even when there seem to be no tangible benefits, you won’t drop your head. You’ll keep rolling the ball up even the highest mountain till you get to your destination.

I’ve heard people say you may sometimes have no finish line. Others conclude you’ll know it when you get there. Many also believe there’s no end to creativity.

Those views are correct, but my point is more about the micro goals. One feature a week, a book every decade, etc. Those nearest finish lines keep you hunting for more.

What’s the one thing that excites me about this adventure

If nothing excites you about your creative endeavor, what kind of creative are you? Thankfully, I’ve yet to meet any such creative. Sincerely, I hope no one descends into that hole where they’ve lost every trace of excitement.

But as I’ve seen from some of the most determined creatives I know, there’s always that one thing that gets them excited about the adventure: money, the community, freedom, etc.

A photographer friend once joked that Google will always bring up her dimpled cheeks when people search for her account online. And that was enough excitement for her to keep shooting.

Some see it as an outlet to release bottled-up emotions, a green light to share their thoughts. Many others point to the joy of sharing their stories through paintings, music, or words.

For such people, so long as the excitement persists, they’re determined to keep going. But they’ve found that one thing that oozes the most excitement. Once it stops, they trash their tools.

Where does this step leave our relationship?

Because they want to build long-lasting relationships every step of the way, the most determined creators ask where every action leaves their relationships.

They know it could be lonely at the top. They realize you’ll need someone by you to click glasses and whisper cheers. And you’ll also need other people to scream woo hoo as the champagne showers rain on y’all.

These other people could be your friends, your colleagues, your cycle of kick-ass creatives. Heck, it could even be your pet.

Also, as much as the solopreneur is making waves in the creator economy, the best successes will be the ones you achieved with the help of others.

Along your creative journey, ask where every step leaves your relationships. For example, you may want to lash out at an editor because her feedback tasted like lemon juice. But ask yourself where that action will leave your relationship with the editor.

What’s the most important thing about my journey?

The most determined creators have a fair idea of the most important thing about their journey. Or at least they have a shortlist of items that rank near the top. It’s often not exciting, but who cares?

Something always takes the first spot, regardless of where these creatives are. And they’re determined to pay that asking price of this high-ranking item to keep the journey going.

Maybe when you’re just starting as a freelancer, you’ll think a few clients to help give you get a foot in and get some work for your portfolio is more important than money.

After a few months, you may switch things and turn to growing some followers on social media for some social proof. A year later, you could set your sights on a website to showcase your work –and also direct that traffic.

As a blogger, you could start with collecting followers. Then follows growing an email list, launching a webinar, selling a course, writing a book, etc.

Your goals will help you ask these questions and answer these questions at every step of your journey. But at all times, endeavor to have at least one answer to the question, “What’s the most important thing about my journey?”

That’ll help keep you going.

The most determined creatives live and die by answering questions: from the mundane to crucial and everything in between.

Every move they make is an answer to an invisible question. Except some questions are easy to ask and answer, even on auto-pilot.

But whether the questions come to mind freely or never come to mind, it’s all about asking and allowing them to guide your steps. They’ll strengthen your feet of determination and fuel you to keep going.

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