Creative Constraints

​

​Creative Constraints​

One of my favourite quotes about creativity comes from The War of Art:

“Someone once asked Somerset Maugham if he wrote on a schedule or only when struck by inspiration. "I write only when inspiration strikes," he replied. "Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp.””

A life without a schedule seems desirable.

But when we get time without a schedule, it becomes clear how much our personal organization influences our output.

To create, we need time dedicated—scheduled, even—for creative work.

We need urgency because we have other things to do.

We need a routine to overcome The Resistance.

We should not avoid schedules and routines themselves.

We should avoid letting things we don't like become part of them.

Creativity is the result of the priorities we set and the time we set aside for them.

Schedule your time accordingly.

​
​