Build a Creative Habit ... in Just 15 Minutes a Day

Look familiar? I have a secret. 

I'm a lazy writer. 

But I've written several books now, in spite of this fact. How? I simply learned a strategy, set some goals and kept plugging away until I met them. It's not very sexy. It wasn't super-expensive, didn't require four weeks at a posh writer's retreat or hours of counseling. 

Just showing up to write is often the hardest part of the process. 

In my soon-to-be-released book, The 15-Minute Writer: How to Write Your First Novel in Just 15 Minutes a Day, I compare the habit of writing (because really, that's what it becomes) to any other: flossing one's teeth, refraining from swearing, or starting an exercise program.  What stops you from showing up to write (or paint, or work on your business plan)?  It's helpful when you're trying to start a new habit, to begin small. Focus on just one area , Leo Babauta of the popular blog, Zen Habits says, and you will have success.

You say that you want to write ... but you don't do it. You'd like to take up painting again ... but you've been saying that for three years and have yet to pick up a brush. 

Here are three tips that might help you get started on your creative project: 
Define it.  It's hard to begin doing something without a clear idea of what that something is. Do you want to submit your first short story? Write 10 poems? Paint a landscape by April 30th? Write these goals down and ...Choose one.   And only one. I can practically hear you right now, muttering under your breath about how I just don't get it, how it's too hard to choose, how they are all equally important. I know what you're going through because I'm constantly bombarded with ideas. I love them all and sometimes it's very, very hard to select just one. But doing so doesn't mean you are saying no to the other 20. It just means you're saying, "not right now." Start Small.  Start so small that the idea seems ridiculous. "Paint for five minutes? Why even bother?" or "Work on a story for just 10 minutes? What's the point, I'll never accomplish anything that way." Oh contraire, my friend, you will accomplish something. It might be small but you can build on it again tomorrow. And the next day, and the day after that. Also, by starting small you may find that you want to keep going. Now that's a great place to be. 
Often our resistance keeps us from starting. Don't let it. Just start. Start with five minutes or 10 or 15 but do begin. And see what happens.