A Step Backwards
It’s difficult being an independent creative in the 21st century, especially when you desire to spend more time on creative projects. Inflation, day jobs, maintaining personal relationships, maintaining families, networking, staying up-to-date on industry (music, art, game, film, etc.) news, keeping up with physical and mental health - it’s a lot, and not even a wholly exhaustive list.
There’s also far more competition for independent creatives in the 21st century, thanks to the democratization of being creative. Anyone with access to a computer can make something - music, art, a story - and upload it to social media for the world to see. I’m happy that so many people are able to share their creations with the world (heck, I’m one of them!), but I’d be lying if I said there isn’t an immense pressure too.
Maybe it’s just me. But then I look to other creatives, including my friends, and I remember it’s not just me who feels this way.
It’s tough out there.
I’ll be 30(!) at the end of 2024. One of the biggest takeaways from my 20s and which is affirmed and reaffirmed time and again, is that it’s okay to take a step back. Reevaluate. Reassess. Organize myself so I can move forward with greater clarity.
Stepping back doesn’t mean you quit. “Oh, you’re a quitter! Booooo!” No I’m not. There shouldn’t be any shame in stopping whatever you’re doing if whatever you’re doing isn’t working. What a concept, right?
Sometimes I refer to stepping back as “Tactical Redeployment,” in which I withdraw from what I’m doing, reconsider my options, revise my plan, and then proceed. I do this many times throughout the week, if not daily.
My time is valuable. So is yours. When you or I have a goal - whatever it may be - the processes we work with become the toll roads to reaching the goal, paid in time.
I’m 99% sure I’ve mentioned the Path of Least Resistance in previous blog entries. For independent creatives - or anyone, for that matter - in the 21st century, time is a precious resource. Why waste valuable time trying to fight our way through a task? In my experience, there’s often either a more fluid solution to the current task or a more fluid task right next to the first, both of which are just waiting to be noticed by you or me.
“But if you don’t persevere and face difficulty, how will you ever accomplish anything?”
That’s certainly a valid question, with an answer worth discussing! Here’s the way I see it: it’s important to acknowledge and understand the difference between stubbornness and perseverance. You can agree or disagree with me, and that’s okay, but let’s take a look at what I mean and where I’m coming from.
Acting from a place of stubbornness is acting out of habit or obligation. It’s a mindset in which you or I decide that we must continue on, no matter what. There is no stopping to reevaluate or reassess the situation.
I recently wasted about two hours of creative work time trying to write music that just would not come to me. When I finally realized I was brickwalling myself, I set the music aside and returned to a different project. Lo and behold, I made quality progress with that project in about an hour’s time. If I hadn’t been stubborn - if I hadn’t been forcing myself to write music - then I could’ve instead invested more time towards the other project.
Now, acting from a place of perseverance is acting with progress and goals in mind. It’s a growth mindset. And if this is the case, then it’s perfectly acceptable to have a Tactical Redeployment. Pause. Step back and reevaluate. Reorganize. Proceed. Rinse and repeat until progress is made and goals are met.
Like I said, I do this regularly. I’m a macro-level thinker, so I set the Big Goals first and then whittle down to the details that will help me achieve those goals. I try to sway with the breeze of each day, which also means my creative schedule is in a constant state of changing. This is okay, because it’s a system that works for me.
I used to beat myself up over having to take a step back.
Now I know it just means I get to take two steps forward.
