Be More Creative: The Pursuit Of Progression Not Perfection
As a Creativity Coach, time and time again I hear of creative people who create wonderful, stimulating, interesting works and pieces of art, but are so personally disappointed by the results, they virtually give up creating afterwards.
It becomes, in their eyes, their flawed legacy, their ugly and imperfect offering to the world that can never be repeated.
However well their creative project was received by the outside world, the creator still feels they could’ve done better, could’ve given more, and so they feel that they've failed.
“If only that penultimate line had more emotional resonance”, says the poet.
“If only I’d have used a slighter darker shade of red”, bemoans the painter.
“If only I’d increased the shutter speed after the first few shots”, complains the photographer.
Travelling on the “If only” train is a one way ticket to disappointment, frustration and ultimately becoming less brave, experimental and creative.
Constantly trying to be perfect nearly always ends in a feeling of abject failure.
So what if we change our outlook and expectation a little?
What if instead of an obsessive pursuit of perfection – a perfection we usually can’t even describe or imagine anyway - we instead pursue progression?
What this means is that with each new project, with each fresh piece of creative work we produce, our aim is to progress our creativity.
So instead of expecting our next novel to be the most incredible piece of writing we (and anyone else in the history of human literature!) can possibly produce, we just want it to be better than the last.
We want some feeling of accomplishment. A feeling that we’ve moved on a little, developed as an artist, that we’re wiser in our choices, deeper in our knowledge and experience, more effective in the creative expression of ourselves.
This doesn’t mean we’re selling ourselves short, underachieving or letting ourselves down.
It means we realise that creativity is a way of life and a ongoing journey. We realise that however talented we are, we can’t go from nowhere to creating flawless masterpieces in a few weeks.
Creative evolution is a lifetime’s work. And it’s something to be enjoyed and experienced as richly, passionately and fully as possible.
So, which road are you going to choose?
The road of the pursuit of perfection, where you’ll probably soon end up in the ditch with a blown engine after pushing yourself too hard, too fast?
Or the road of the pursuit of progression, steadily travelling onwards and upwards, taking care of yourself along the way and being fully open to enjoying everything around you?
The pursuit of progression can be summed in a simple mantra.
“I will offer the best creative expression of myself I can at this time.”
Once you give yourself that permission, to give the best you can right now, instead of feeling restricted because you’re constantly in fear of failing to reach absolute perfection, you’re free to reach much further.
Then learn from each experience, take that forward to the next and reach again, this time further still.
:: Share Your Experience ::
What are your experiences of pursuing perfection, and how this has actually stopped, or severely limited your creativity?
And what ways have you learnt to overcome this pursuit of perfection?
Share your comments and experiences by just clicking on the comments link below.
It becomes, in their eyes, their flawed legacy, their ugly and imperfect offering to the world that can never be repeated.
However well their creative project was received by the outside world, the creator still feels they could’ve done better, could’ve given more, and so they feel that they've failed.
“If only that penultimate line had more emotional resonance”, says the poet.
“If only I’d have used a slighter darker shade of red”, bemoans the painter.
“If only I’d increased the shutter speed after the first few shots”, complains the photographer.
Travelling on the “If only” train is a one way ticket to disappointment, frustration and ultimately becoming less brave, experimental and creative.
Constantly trying to be perfect nearly always ends in a feeling of abject failure.
So what if we change our outlook and expectation a little?
What if instead of an obsessive pursuit of perfection – a perfection we usually can’t even describe or imagine anyway - we instead pursue progression?
What this means is that with each new project, with each fresh piece of creative work we produce, our aim is to progress our creativity.
So instead of expecting our next novel to be the most incredible piece of writing we (and anyone else in the history of human literature!) can possibly produce, we just want it to be better than the last.
We want some feeling of accomplishment. A feeling that we’ve moved on a little, developed as an artist, that we’re wiser in our choices, deeper in our knowledge and experience, more effective in the creative expression of ourselves.
This doesn’t mean we’re selling ourselves short, underachieving or letting ourselves down.
It means we realise that creativity is a way of life and a ongoing journey. We realise that however talented we are, we can’t go from nowhere to creating flawless masterpieces in a few weeks.
Creative evolution is a lifetime’s work. And it’s something to be enjoyed and experienced as richly, passionately and fully as possible.
So, which road are you going to choose?
The road of the pursuit of perfection, where you’ll probably soon end up in the ditch with a blown engine after pushing yourself too hard, too fast?
Or the road of the pursuit of progression, steadily travelling onwards and upwards, taking care of yourself along the way and being fully open to enjoying everything around you?
The pursuit of progression can be summed in a simple mantra.
“I will offer the best creative expression of myself I can at this time.”
Once you give yourself that permission, to give the best you can right now, instead of feeling restricted because you’re constantly in fear of failing to reach absolute perfection, you’re free to reach much further.
Then learn from each experience, take that forward to the next and reach again, this time further still.
:: Share Your Experience ::
What are your experiences of pursuing perfection, and how this has actually stopped, or severely limited your creativity?
And what ways have you learnt to overcome this pursuit of perfection?
Share your comments and experiences by just clicking on the comments link below.
posted by Dan at 5:52 PM
As a Creativity Coach I work with people who are frustrated that their creative talents are underused. 
5 Comments:
Terrific reminder. How often the two, though intertwined, war with each other--leaving crumbled paper scattered like abandoned land mines around my desk.
Thank You Dan! This is just what i needed to read. ~Sibylla
I've started making collages, something very different than writing, and the sense of fun it's given me is reflected in my writing.
I used to pursue perfection, too, not so long ago, although what I really longed for was to let loose and experiment, be messy and less restrained. Then I started an art journal, and I am finding it very helpful. There is none of the pressure that I often feel when staring at a sheet of high quality, expensive artist´s paper - I used to feel that if I took out such a sheet, I had to make something very artistic and perfect.
heidi
Great topic!
I'm realizing this on a deeper level that it's the IDEA or concept that matters more than the level of execution. Of course you have to do it right. But sometimes trying to chase every last detail is a waste of time.
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