Saying No

Recently, a post went around the internet about creative people who said no to a researcher who wanted to ask them about their process. (If you want to read it, go here: https://medium.com/thoughts-on-creativity/bad7c34842a2). Basically the point of the post is that creative people have time to create because they say no to things like research about their process. They're too busy using their process to produce work to talk about it.

I think that the more successful artists become, the more they tend to need to say no to things.

I think that the more successful artists become, the more they tend to need to say no to things.

Say no to people who invite you to lunches in the middle your work day.

Say no to people who ask you to watch their kids during your work time, or for other favors.

Say no to answering the telephone while you are working. Or the doorbell.

Say no to people who want to come into your office space.Say no to projects that other people suggest will give you great exposure, but pay nothing.

Say no to people who want you to do something for them that you don't really want to do.

Say no to other artists who want you to get together constantly to chat. It can be great to have a social life with other creative types, but realize it is social, and should probably be done during off hours at night or on weekends. Or it should be done fairly rarely.

Say no to the temptation to go shopping or to the movies when it isn't busy because everyone else is working.

Say no to the demon in your head who tells you that taking this one day off won't matter.

Say no to the internet. I mean, really. If you are working, you are not on youtube, facebook, or twitter. You just aren't.

Say no to the dishes, the laundry, and the dirty floors. They aren't paying you to clean them during your prime work hours.

Say no to friends who stop by in the middle of your work day.

Say no to kids or a spouse who think you should run all the errands because you're at home.

Say no to the desire to read or experience other art (watch TV or movies, visit a museum) during the time you should be working. Those are great activities to rebuild your creative spirit. They just aren't work.

Say no to the idea of writer's block. It's mostly just a little kid complaining he doesn't want to do his homework. If you are having life block, that is another problem and needs serious treatment. But there's no special thing about being a writer that means that you need to just wait for the words to come because they are better that way. They aren't, trust me. The words you make come are just as likely to be good or bad as any of the other ones.

Say no to people who tell you you aren't good enough and you should give up on your dream.

Say no to a day job that drains all your creativity out of you.

Say no to perfectionism. It will kill you and all your productivity. Good enough is good enough for now.

Say no to keeping up with all the news, all the TV shows, or all the gossip in the neighborhood. Whatever your obsessions used to be before you became an artist, guess what? You don't get to have them anymore. You have only one obsession now. It's your art.

Say no to people who tell you that they have an idea they want to share with you, fifty-fifty split on the profits. They are just a waste of time.

Say no to anger. It will suck up all your time, and it will give you nothing in return.

Say no to fear of rejection. Of course you are going to hate rejection. Of course it will hurt. And then you will get over it and get better or find the right person to appreciate your work. Rejection is a massive time-saver because it helps you know where not to go again.

On ways to make your 24 hours feel like 27, try this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Hour-Day-Productive-ebook/dp/B00F8JTZ9K