There's no question that creating anything is hard to do. Here are some tips if you find yourself creatively blocked.

Set a Goal

Set a goal for yourself. For example, it could be to write onepoem, one short story, to paint two small paintings or createthree works of art. Don't make the goal too big.

Set a Time Table

Give yourself a time when you want your goal to becompleted. There is nothing like a deadline to help you getthings done. You can tell people about the deadline or keepthe information to yourself. Don't make the time table toounrealistic.

One Step at a Time

Baby steps get you to the top of the mountain. If youmanage to do one small thing towards your creative goaleach day, you will be amazed at how fast you canaccomplished it. Ask yourself what is the next step and thendo it.

If It Isn't Working Stop

If you are working on a creative project and you don't knowwhat to do, stop and do something else; it can beanything-the laundry, mow the lawn, work in the garage. When you come back to the project, you will probably havethe answer to what was blocking you.

Progress Not Perfection

If you don't expect to create the perfect project, it will take offa lot of pressure. It will make it easier to accomplish whatyou have set out to do and the process will be a lot moreenjoyable.

Easy Does It

If you don't create exactly what you've set out to do, don'tworry. Ask yourself the question "how important is it?". Itwill help you get things in perspective.

Don't Worry About the Other Guy

Don't worry about what anyone else is doing. Keep thefocus on yourself and what you want to accomplish, it willhelp you to go forward instead of getting stuck.

Just Do It

Don't talk about it, don't worry about it-just do it, one step ata time until whatever you have set out to do, gets done.

© Mary Baker 2005

Mary Baker is a contemporary realist painter, whose studiois in Newburyport, Massachusetts. This New England city,north of Boston, has inspired the artist's realistic oilpaintings. Mary Baker is a professional artist and hasshown in New York art galleries. Mary's art work haspassion, depth and beauty, capturing moments in time thatmany people pass by.

You can visit her website, Mary BakerArt, at http://www.marybakerart.com , see her paintings andread her comments on the creative journey, the creativeprocess, breaking the creative block and creativespace-the illuminating silence.