Mindset and Motivation Category - Page 3 of 4

Be Aware of Problems

Many people are not aware of the problems they face in their creative work. They just live in the day and work. That’s not bad at all. I think it’s great when people can work on their projects without any problems. But often there are problems that you don’t recognize.

Maybe you tell yourself that you are just the way you are. That you are just lazy or something else. Here we encounter the difficulty that we think a problem is simply our personality. Sure, you can be happy with yourself that way, then stay that way! But if you get angry from time to time or more often because you think you are lazy, then you have to do something about it. Or you are really just not aware of it.

For example, it can be that you are not aware that you procrastinate too much or simply don’t take enough breaks while working on your own projects. By reflecting and looking at our work system, we can clarify what exactly could be going wrong. So we can find out where the problems are and do something about it. This way we become more productive and maybe even happier than we thought at the beginning.

Therefore take an active approach and get aware of your problems. Here’s how you do it:

Evaluate yourself -> Determine problems, get aware! -> What do you want to change? -> Research and get ideas for a solution -> Implement possible solution -> Repeat cycle.

Dull Ideas

Dull Ideas Should Only be Shared With Supportive People

It’s really important to surround yourself with people who are honest and supportive! If you have cool ideas but only tell them to negative people, it won’t help you. It might make things even harder! So it’s really important to be careful about who you share your ideas and projects with.

Imagine you have this great idea, like the best idea ever. Now, if you tell it to friends or family who are always negative or kind of toxic, they might not encourage you. They might even say things that make you feel bad about your idea. That’s why it’s smart to share your ideas with people who are positive and supportive. They’ll cheer you on and give you good vibes, which will make your creative journey a lot more fun and exciting.

Simply put, if you’re excited about something and want to talk about it, make sure you choose the right people to share it with. Choose people who will be happy for you and help you make your ideas even better! Ideas that turn into dull ideas will become exciting once more.

What is Your Why?

When it comes to being creative, there’s one big question we should all be thinking about: “What is your why?”. This idea is explored in the book “Start with Why“, which is about leadership and inspiration. For creative people, this question is like a key to understanding why we do what we do. The book suggests that exploring the deeper reasons behind our creative work helps us be more authentic, connect better with our audiences, and provide a reason for motivation.

The book encourages creative people to look beyond just making things and consider why they make them. Ask yourself about your feelings and big ideas behind your creative projects. It’s not just about the final product! It’s about the values and messages you want to share with the world through your art.

“Start with Why” says that when our creative work has a clear and authentic purpose, it becomes more inspiring, both for us and for the people who see or experience it. The book challenges creatives to shift their focus from what they create and how they create it to why they create it. By understanding and embracing our “why,” we can make our creative work more meaningful, passionate, and impactful. It’s like finding the heart and soul of our creativity.

So remember this every time you are not inspired or motivated to do something. Your Why will be the reason you will do the things you love!

Physical Reminder

To change yourself for the better, you have to keep reminding yourself of the change you want with a physical reminder. Too often, goals and intentions get lost in everyday life. How to achieve these goals or overcome the obstacles along the way is also quickly forgotten. Therefore, it is important to remember these helping things with physical aids. For this, I have created stickers you can buy in my shop!

Link to my shop: https://www.markilus.com/shop/

If you don’t have the money, you can simply download the images, print them out and stick them somewhere yourself. The files to download them are down below.

You can do it - Physical Reminder Sticker — You can fucking do it!

Do your work - Physical Reminder Sticker — You can fucking do it!

Here are the files you can use, to print them out yourself for an accessible alternative to these physical reminder stickers:

Download the digital stickers and print them on a paper of your choice. Near your workplace where you are creative (or not), you can hang these physical reminders with a pin or tape and be reminded of what you want to do every day.

If you have more ideas for additional stickers, contact me via the feedback form or email. I would be happy to make more of these stickers if there is interest! Also, I would be happy about constructive criticism, if you have tried these stickers or the download variant.

Cycle of Fear

What is The Cycle of Fear?

Not Doing Enough
The cycle of fear begins with not doing enough. This can come from a lot of sources, such as self-doubt, fear of failure, or the perception that one’s efforts are not enough. As a result, creatives may be afraid to take the necessary action.
Fear
This unwillingness to take sufficient action is often driven by an underlying fear. Whether it’s the fear of failure, judgment, or not living up to expectations, this emotional barrier acts as a powerful deterrent, hindering progress and maintaining the cycle.
Lack of Results
As a result of not taking appropriate action due to fear, noticeable results may be lacking. The early hesitation or procrastination contributes to a cycle of unfulfilled potential, resulting in a noticeable lack of desired results.
Fear (again)
The cycle comes full circle as the lack of results intensifies the original fear. The lack of progress reinforces the initial fears, creating a self-perpetuating loop of not doing enough, increased fear, and continued disappointment. And so we begin again at number 1 with not doing enough.

Breaking out of this cycle means realizing that you should just do what you can. That will be enough and it is okay! Try not to judge yourself too harshly. When you begin to realize that you have your own pace and that not everything goes according to plan, you will break free from the cycle of fear.