Motivation and Self-Discipline Tips for Every Artist

There is no doubt that this year took a toll on many of us and impacted our financial state and well-being. Our daily lives resemble the movie Groundhog Day, as it seems like we’re reliving the same day over and over again.

Such monotony, of course, impacts creativity as well. There is nothing to draw inspiration from, and it’s very hard to motivate and self-discipline yourself to continue creating art that will also inspire others. 

If you’re an artist and find yourself in a similar situation, we would like to share some useful motivation and self-discipline tips that will help you get back on track and find the will to continue working and creating outstanding art pieces.

1. Start Waking Up Early

It’s been proven a long time that the early bird does get the worm. 

A study published by the Harvard Business Review almost ten years ago asked over 350 students to share their sleeping habits and how they thought these habits impacted their quality of life. 

Those who had a habit of waking up early said they felt more motivated and in charge of making things happen. As a result, this study concluded that getting the habit of waking up early can help you become more proactive, motivated, and self-organized.

How to spend your mornings correctly?

First and foremost, don’t get right into waking up too early because you’re going to exhaust your body. Change your routine gradually. Go to sleep one hour earlier every day, it will help you wake up earlier the next day without feeling too tired. 

Once your body gets used to the new routine, you can start planning your mornings. Before the whole world wakes up, you can dedicate some time to yourself, work on improving your basic Spanish level, read a book, or create a schedule for the day. 

Make sure that you incorporate some form of exercise in your morning routine. It will help you tune into a productive mood and discipline your mind for the day ahead.

2. Get Rid of Distractions

Since the beginning of the pandemic, as many of us are stuck at home, fighting distractions has been one of the biggest struggles so far. Distractions cause procrastination, destroy motivation, and hinder self-discipline. 

For an artist, getting rid of distractions can also help restore the creative flow and get into the necessary mindset. But eliminating distractions isn’t an easy thing to do, and you should be well-aware of your environment and things that usually lead to procrastination.

How to create a creative environment free from distractions?

First of all, don’t try to abuse your willpower in the hopes that it will last forever. Willpower can be entirely used up, so instead of relying on it, try a more systematic approach. 

For example, break your schedule into periods of intense work followed by 15-20-minute breaks. Such disciplined scheduling will help you feel more motivated, and regular breaks work as instant gratification for the hard work you’ve been doing. 

Once you have a well-planned schedule, you can start working on eliminating the distractions around you. For instance, smartphones and other devices can be the source of procrastination and instantly kill your creative mood. If you often find yourself distracted by your devices, you can benefit from the apps that can motivate you not to use them. Here are some suggestions:

• Forest App – in this app, you set the timer by planting the tree. If you use your phone before the time is up, you will kill the tree. 
• Cold Turkey Blocker – this app can block any website on your computer for a certain period of time. So, if you have the habit of constantly checking your social media, it can help you get rid of that distraction. 
• SelfControl – this is a great app for those who might find the previous options ineffective. Once you download it, set the timer, and launch it, it will be impossible to turn it off, even if you try to close the app. 

For a creative flow, there is nothing worse than procrastination, every artist will confirm that. So, be mindful of your environment and eliminate all possible distractions before you start working.

3. Get Motivation From Your Community

Lastly, if you are active on social media, and share your artistic work with your followers, you can interact with them to boost motivation and creativity. 

Engaging with your community can be especially helpful if you want to get inspired for your future projects or get fresh ideas. Those followers, who’ve been following you for a long time, already know your style and can help you set the right direction for your next work.

How to engage with your online community to boost motivation?

It’s always a great idea to survey your audience and ask their opinion. You can do interactive Stories on Instagram, organize a quick live chat with your community, or ask them to share their opinions in the comments under your recent post. 

For an artist, the support from the community can help significantly boost motivation, self-discipline, and productivity in general. So, maintain a close relationship with your followers online so that you could count on them in case you find yourself unmotivated.

Over to You

It’s quite hard to keep your motivation high if you’re stuck in the loop, and the monotony of everyday life in the midst of the pandemic is hindering your creativity. 

However, you can still get yourself back on track if you incorporate some useful habits. Establish the routine of waking up early to have some time for yourself and plan your day. Then, when it’s time to work, get rid of distractions, and create a productive work environment. 

Lastly, if you feel like you are stuck, engage with your followers to get some motivation. Interacting with them can help you come up with new creative ideas and inspire you for your future art projects.

Kate is a passionate writer who likes sharing her thoughts and experience with the readers. Currently, she works as an online reputation manager, you can check her website. She likes everything related to traveling and new countries.