Roots and Branches

I talk a lot about the importance of starting your day with the work that matters to you. It doesn’t necessarily mean every day involves mapping out a new dream project, but just that you’re devoting some time to something that matters to you.

Why do this? Some science shows that shows the more we focus on something the more it’s in reach, because we’ve not only put the request out into the world but through the power of our attention, we’re also priming ourselves to seek out and receive what we asked for. In other words, we’re moving in aligned action to build the world and life we desire.

This is all to the good, but how does putting your creative work first actually look in practice?

Here are some simple ways I do this in my own creative practice, plus ways I’ve helped clients put their creative work first each day:

First things first, this is all part of a larger ecosystem of care for your creative work. 

When I talk about creative ecosystems, I’m talking about building an interconnected series of habits and practices that form your larger creative practice itself (as in, the day to day doing of creative things) and inform your efforts to live a creative life that puts creativity front and center.

A creative ecosystem gives us a framework for building the creative life we want now, but also to see beyond where we are to imagine something even more incredible and aligned than seemed possible in the past.

This includes a range of habits that I teach in depth, like routines, boundaries,and rituals (you can go into more depth on these here,here, and here).

In other words, the practices below are one piece of the pie. But if you’re looking for a place to start, they’re a fantastic first step.

How to decide on a creativity-first practice

As with anything, start small and choose something you’ll stick with. But most importantly, choose something FUN. Something that feels like it’s filling you up and giving you some momentum, rather than being yet another thing to check off.

These activities will shift over time as your projects evolve and your needs and interests change, so what works now may not work a week or a month or a year from now (or, it might). Just notice when your interest lags or when you’re ready to move on to a different part of your work, and keep this list handy, or write your own, so you’ve got some ideas to turn to.

The purpose of the practices below is to offer an entry point into wherever you are in your creative project. These can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 to…however long you need. 

Just play around and try different ones. There’s literally no way to mess this up, so just notice what works for you!

Practices to start your day with nourishing your creative projects: