Getting Prepared to Start?

Recently a friend told me she was frustrated as she had not had time to get prepared to start a new project. “Get prepared to start, what does that mean?” I asked. She then went on to tell me that she needed to set up some things, clear up, clean out, organize and prepare herself to do what had to be done. In other words get ready to start. It might sound like a ploy to procrastinate, yet I get it. I too feel that way. I find myself clearing up my desk before I write, or cleaning up my studio space before I get into a project. I clean up to prepare myself and my spaces for the work to come.

And yes, that means more time before actually DOING any work. Which could be perceived as a form of procrastination…I get that. I also know, like my friend, when I sit down to work and the space is ready to go, I then feel better prepared to actually work. Chaos is not part of my creative process. I feel stunted and frazzled when I have things to do and the space is not ready for me to mentally and physically work. I compare it to a house painter who has to prep the space – sand, putty, dust, wipe down, cover the floor, etc. – in order to properly get the job done.

What does this look like in your world? Do you open all the mail before you tackle each bill? Do you put your to do items in a pile first before reading each one? Do you get a hot cup of coffee, put on your favorite shirt, turn on music, adjust the fan or lighting, or even close the door? All of these things help prepare you and the space for a productive time spent doing. they also prepare your mindset to get busy and to get things done.

This quote reminded me that all the preparing to work is well and good, it is what you do from that point on that really matters. Never let the fact that you have a habit, pattern or process you implement before getting started on your next to do item prevent you from actually working. And if you DO NOT do any of this, maybe next time you feel stuck, you might try cleaning up your space or putting on your favorite song to get you prepared to work.

Because in the end, no matter how you get there, the important thing is to do the work. Somewhere, somehow, some place you just need to begin and keep going. Never let the circumstances of your work area, thoughts or ideas prevent you from tackling the work ahead. You can do it…no matter what IT is!