A common reason why many of us don't create more, is that we feel it's selfish to spend time just on ourselves, doing something we enjoy.
With all the other demands on us, and a seemingly endless list of chores and tasks constantly mounting up, it seems one of the last things we should be doing is something as indulgent as creating art.
Ever feel this way yourself?
The misconception we have, unfortunately, is that our creative time, and all that comes from it, has no purpose other than to make ourselves feel better.
With no other positive benefits whatsoever.
Because we have this misconception, it means we never really enjoy creating, even when do manage to find time, as we always have one eye on the clock, wondering how much longer this "selfishness" can continue, before we have to return to doing "more important" things, or to doing what we're "supposed" to be doing.
Again, how often do you relate to this scenario?
What we overlook is how far reaching an effect us creating actually has. And how influential we can be, in a positive way, to others around us, and other artists.
On the simplest level, when we create freely and enjoy exploring and experimenting with our art, we feel better about ourselves, and the world.
This positive glow can't help but radiate out into our immediate environment, our family, friends, and colleagues will all find us a happier person to be around, instead of an endlessly frustrated and resentful artist.
On another level, by creating regularly we send out a strong message to the world that this is OK, it's "allowed".
Say you went to a coffee shop once every weekend to spend some time writing. Say another person, a woman who used to write prolifically but has not put pen to paper in years, sees you each weekend, lost in your writing, as she sits drinking her coffee and pondering the world.
It might take a month, or 6 months, but eventually this lady can't resist or deny her urge to write any longer, and the next time you see her in the coffee shop, she too comes with pen and journal and begins a regular writing routine. Without even speaking to this woman, just your act of regularly showing up to create enabled her to give herself permission to do the same, after all these years. You've saved her writing life. And you can't place a value on that.
A third level we influence the world around us when we create, is through our art itself.
You no doubt have created work you're very proud of in the past, and are perfectly capable of creating equally rewarding art in the future. Others who see your work are inspired in a way you can't predict or imagine. And it's often the work you don't give much credit or value that can be a crucial inspiration to someone else.
I remember sharing some poems in an online writing community, written years apart to show how my writing had evolved. The early poem, that I placed very little worth in, actually had more positive comments, and touched more people, than the later, more sophisticated work that I was very proud of.
You can't predict or tell people - your audience - how to appreciate or interpret your work.
All you can do is show up and create, day after day, and get your art out into the world, piece by piece.
These three levels we've talked about - the happiness you get from creating radiating out to those around you, the motivation and permission other people get from seeing you consistently show up to create, and the inspiration people take from your art itself - are three compelling reasons why the world desperately needs you to be as creative as you can be.
Forget those misguided thoughts of creativity being selfish, and give yourself, and the world, just what it needs - you at your most wonderfully creative.
Ready to be more creative? Then sign up to "Create Create!" - Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin's free twice monthly ezine - today, and get your free copy of the "Explode Your Creativity!" Action Workbook. Just head over to http://www.coachcreative.com
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