When faced with a large creative project, it’s easy to get bogged down in the details and let it languish for years. This is what happened to me when my daughter-in-law, Lizzie, asked me to create a T-shirt quilt out of 76 of her cherished shirts. I had all the supplies and knowledge, but I just couldn’t seem to get started. That was until I realized I had a due date – Lizzie’s planned visit to our house.
It’s a phenomenon known as ‘ghost projects’ – unfinished tasks that haunt us, making us feel like we’re not good enough. But what if I told you that having a due date can be the key to overcoming creative procrastination? It’s a concept I’ve used before, and it’s what I call the B.R.A.I.D. CompassTM.
The B.R.A.I.D. CompassTM
The B.R.A.I.D. CompassTM is a framework that helps you navigate your creative progress. The letters stand for five simple steps: begin, reflect, act, invite, and deliver. By following these steps, you can overcome your creative fears and bring your project to life.
B: Begin Before You’re Ready
When you have a creative idea, get started immediately. Don’t wait until you have all the supplies and resources. Begin before you know how to proceed, because that’s often when you discover your next step.
R: Reflect on What Matters
After you begin, take a moment to reflect on your project. Ask yourself: What am I doing? Why? Think about who will receive your product, and what it means to them. This will help you stay focused on what’s truly important.
A: Act in the Present Moment
Take an action – any action – towards progressing on your project. Set a timer for 20 minutes, and work on your project during that time. This quick sprint can be just the jumpstart you need to get the ball rolling.
I: Invite Others Into the Journey
When you invite someone to receive your work, decide on a time and a place. Be specific. This element solidifies and strengthens your efforts. Imagining an audience for your work intensifies your focus and attention and externalizes your labors.
D: Deliver the Item
We all know that feeling when we’re going to host a dinner or a party. Knowing that others will be coming into our home, we see our surroundings differently. We notice the toothpaste spatters on the mirror. We notice the crumbs on the carpet. We notice the messy kitchen counter. Sharing the due date activates all our senses to ramp up our efforts and cram as much work time as possible into our now limited schedule.
By following the B.R.A.I.D. CompassTM, you can overcome your creative fears and bring your project to life. It’s a simple yet powerful framework that can help you navigate your creative progress and achieve your goals.
So, if you’re struggling with creative procrastination, try the B.R.A.I.D. CompassTM. Choose one unfinished ‘ghost project’ from your graveyard of partially complete work and begin. Reflect on the project, the steps, and the recipient. Set a timer for 20 minutes today and take one action step. Decide a real due date and put it on your calendar, and then tell at least one person about your project and invite them to witness the finished result. Deliver the product.
