Find Your Creative Niche

By J. Summer Smart

If you are not the creative type, then finding your creative niche is easier said than done. For many, a certain environment helps get the creative juices flowing. Perhaps playing your favorite music or being in the right mood does the trick. One thing is certain: you can’t force creativity. Sometimes creative moments happen when least expected, like when you’re driving or performing simple daily tasks. Regardless of your status with your creative projects or endeavors, you can find inspiration from unexpected sources and be intentional about being creatively productive.

Make Time for What You Love: It can be difficult to make time for the things you really want to do, especially if you have pressing responsibilities taking up your time. The key here is to do something on the project no matter how small. You can make progress by dedicating small amounts of time and working toward the larger goal of completion.

Take Notes: Once you start dedicating time to your creative projects, inspiration has a way of finding you. This is a good thing! Make sure you are ready to capture ideas because just as inspiration can come suddenly, it can be gone in an instant. Write down or sketch your ideas as you think of them. Use your phone, or whatever tools you prefer, to record your ideas right then and there. Use the resources at hand, and make sure you don’t let those ideas get away.

Don’t Let Your Expectations Get in the Way: You may have certain expectations of what your project should look like: expectations for quality, quantity, or a completion date. Don’t be disappointed by the progress you make compared to your expectations. Set realistic goals, and evaluate yourself on what you have accomplished in order to set checkpoints that you can live up to.

Awaken your creative groove. Make time to do the things you love, and be ready when the moment strikes you. Not every project will turn out exactly the way you want, but each one contributes to your larger creation and keeps you in the creative zone.