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Welcome to the Dear Muses Column by Jill Badonsky Dear Muses,      I have these callings, inspirations, ideas, creative yearnings, you know...that stuff, and it seems I can never find the time to get to them. I'm busy with all the responsibilities of life, but the callings continually tell me there is something creative I need to be doing. What's a mortal to do? Answers from all the muses... Aha-phrodite, The Muse of Paying Attention and Possibilities:      Not finding the time for creativity translates to me as "I’m not finding the time to do one of the things I’m truly here to do." As you pay attention to the inspirations, pay attention to what part of your being they come from...It’s a pure, and spiritual, side. As you follow these nudges you are following a path paved in possibility for everything you are as a mortal. Pay attention to when you are most creative. When you are driving, showering, walking, or cleaning, pay attention at the same time to your ideas. All of a sudden, they will start to become irresistible, and you will FIND the time to get to them. Albert, The Muse of Imagination and Innovation (in a german accent):      You must zink differently about your time. Zink zat it is your creative verk zat vill make all other verks more dazzlink. Zink about ze time you are drivink und makink wiss other routine activities as times to gather ideas and develop zem a little more before you must even have to sit down. Sometimes Jill zinks about ideas so much vile doink other things zat she can’t vait to begin, und she zimply must make ze time...zo she does. This is primink motivation. und motivation in ze creative process ist exhilaratink. Ze heart beats loudly und joyously. It also helps to envision ze finished product...Zis again primes ze motivation und you vill findink it easier to find ze time when ze exhilaration sets you on fire. Bea Silly, The Muse of Play, Laughter, and Dance:      Framing your passion as play vs. work will mobilize you to make time for it. Instead of saying, "I should do my creative work"... say, "I GET to do my creative work," and notice the difference. Play, and make it fun. Send yourself an e-card invitation to invite your child self to play at your creative passion. Name a time and a day, and show up with your best kid clothes on. Repeat after me: "It may not seem like I have enough time to do my stuff... but I’m going to do it anyway, so there." Muse Song, The Muse of Encouragement and Good Company:      If you beat yourself up, you’re less likely to even attempt to find the time again. Just delicately say, "Ooops, missed that time...But there’s more time ahead I haven’t even used yet." Spills, The Muse of Practice, Process, and Imperfection:      Embrace the process and its potential for serendipity. Take away the pressure of being perfect. Sometimes not finding the time is an avoidance strategy for not being able to deal with the overwhelming fears involved with creativity. Inadequacy is one of those fears. Giving yourself permission to make mistakes is a way of getting around the fear. Lull, The Muse of Pause, Diversion, and Gratitude:      Lull was on a break... A postcard she sent said, "There's time you haven't even used yet. Use it wisely" Marge, The Muse of "Okay-Now-Let's-Get-Started":      Well okeedokee, it only takes 30 seconds to 15 minutes a day, ya know. You can find the time for that, can'tcha? Use the time to set up your space at first; use the time to gather ideas and momentum, make itsty bitsy small steps. Use the time to simply hold the intention of your idea for a while. Just a page, just a scribble, just a footprint... Don’t overwhelm yourself with high expectations...Just set yourself in motion. Once you establish a habit, it will feel funny not doing your creative pursuit. Take a class; that helps structure time. Get a coach...by the way, Jill is a creativity coach. Signed, the Muses... Give us another challenge. Write in! Visit www.themuseisin.com Based on the book The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard): 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence by Jill Badonsky, M.Ed. See the book at this Amazon link. Back to Index