Get Rid of This Toxic Habit and Become a Consistent Creative Writer
The common habit that gets most clog creativity getting most writers paralyzed.
This is one huge lesson I have learned from writing on Medium for about 12 months now. Here is it:
How we feel as creatives, is important. And we must keep getting on the positive side of our feeling as much as you can. That is a difficult feat, but by modifying some of our habits it gets easier.
How we feel — positive or negative- affects our creative minds. While the negative feeling is a nuisance, a positive feeling is an asset to our creativity. All by what we allow into our mind.
To be consistently creative, lose your tie from harmful habits that are poisonous to your creative mind.
Because it takes a burst of positive mental sunshine to stay creative, artists who learn to do this are some of the most creative there is.
I have heard it from two talented Nigerian musicians — Wizkid and Olamide. Only that I never knew it was so important until I had a bitter life experience.
Like most writers on Medium, I fell for the habit of checking my story stats every day — sometimes multiple times a day. Even when there is no story to publish.
Each time people the stat shows that most people read my article, I feel happy but in those days when the figure is not as encouraging, it almost ruins my precious day.
It was as though every discouraging stat comes with the flu. And at those times, I feel terrible and incapable of writing. My mind just freezes each time I view those kinds of stats.
I wish it were possible to view only the stats with great engagement! But no. Each time I click on that stat option, everything comes to sight.
Each day is a priceless gift; never allow other people to make a mess of it.
Most of my days were as messy as they were amazing. Depending on the stats of my published articles. Having fed up with the whole swing, I decided to put an end to it.
Finally, I am giving up allowing other people’s actions, through my stat, to determine whether I enjoy the most precious gift from God to man.
I stopped viewing my stats.
Now my satisfaction comes from completing a draft — no matter short it is. Sometimes, it is 2–3 paragraphs post for my LinkedIn page. Other times a bit of my mind in 15–35 paragraphs for my WordPress page. Or a carefully edited 15–45 paragraph story submitted to a publication on Medium.
In effect, I am allowing what I can control determine how I feel. And I am regaining control over my creativity with amazing benefits:
- It has only been a few days now, but it has been the most productive ever. I publish an article every single day. Either on my Medium, WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn page.
- I feel better each time I complete a draft and successfully submit it to ILLUMINATION (one of the fastest-growing publications on Medium. All thanks to the founder, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, for his amazing leadership.)
- The reward of watching one movie for every draft published has gamified my writing process. I feel so excited to wake up, sit my ass down, get a draft done, and treat myself to a wonderful movie when the article gets published.
Honestly, it has been the most fulfilling for the first time in a long time as a writer. And the way I see it, I am not going back on this.
And I suggest you try it too. Replace the habit of checking your stats with something else. With something that keeps your creative juices flowing. Without a doubt, you will love it.
Final thought
Your mind is the most important creative tool you have. Allow nothing in that will clog its channel.
Keep negative vibes away from you. That is how to be consistently creative. And the secret to getting your creative work done with ease and more fun.
I wish you more fun and less work!
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