Does Your Creativity Need a Carburetor?

When was the last time you looked under your hood and checked your carburetor — that odd-looking device that mixes your fuel with air so your creativity doesn't stall or run too rich?  Creativity doesn't need much gasoline to get great results.  It does need the correct amount of pressure to get your work in motion.  For me, it means setting up daily and weekly deadlines.  When the right amount of pressure is applied to my creativity, I get steady output.  If you're not happy with your results, try these pointers:

1. Give your creativity some more air.  Maybe you're working trying too hard and you're forcing too much work through your pipes.  You need to breathe.  The key is to be efficient.  Take breaks.  Avoid burnout.
2. Apply enough pressure to your work to give you some spark.  No deadlines = no output.  You know best how much pressure to apply to your projects to move them forward.  Just make sure you are in motion.  Experiment with your deadlines to find out what works best for you.
3. Don't be afraid of the mountains.  I remember how I chugged along at some pretty slow speeds when climbing the mountains of California and Arizona in my rental truck while towing our family car.  The mountains were a part of the course, just like writing a novel is necessary if I'm ever going to master the art of writing.  Anyone attempting to create something eventually experiences a mountain climb that appears impossible.  All it takes is some adjusting when the outside air gets thin and the mountains are steep.
4. Don't worry about the other drivers.  Everyone has their own pace.  Even the best writers started out sputtering.  If they are racing past you while you are still searching for the right mixture of fuel and air for your work, let them pass.  Work within your own limits and go at your own speed.
5. Recognize your creativity is one-of-a-kind.  No one else in the world is capable of doing what you can do.  All you have to do is figure out how to maximize your output according to the specific gifts you have inside you.  Learn to be your own mechanic and experiment with your internal carburetor until you get it running properly.

What steps are you going to take to improve your creativity?  Please share your own ideas in the comments section below.  Thanks for making a pit stop today at my blog and for taking the time to help the other drivers by adding to the conversation.