Discipline is the path to freedom. As a writer without a boss leaning over my shoulder barking out orders and providing me with deadlines, the level of my productivity is left entirely up to me.
One of the most important habits I have had to develop over the years is the habit and the practice of discipline. One of my friends who works for a large government agency pointed out that it would take a tremendous amount of discipline to be a writer or musician because the motivation has to come from within. I was glad she pointed this out because I can, at times beat myself up for not getting enough done. In the past I would have blamed it on a lack of discipline when in reality the problem is probably one of perception and determining how long it really takes to accomplish any given task or project. I was happy for her kind reminder.
As a project based creative person I have to build in the structure to my days and into the projects I want to create or nothing will happen. I have more ideas than I have time to create them so I have to pick and choose; I have to plan out the work. Sometimes when I sit down to write a specific song, blog post or marketing piece I come up blank. It helps to just start with a general direction of an idea and eventually my mind and fingers will find their way. I think writers block is simply a resistance to action and a lack of action is really just a lack of discipline. I never publish the first draft of anything so what does it matter what comes out first. Every writer I know, especially songwriters continually work their writing over and over until they get it right. So start, that is the key. If you wait for inspiration you might be waiting forever so start writing and if you are lucky, inspiration will show up.
Singer Songwriter Elizabeth Edward's Blog - Creativity and Spirit
