Tag: big project

How to Finish Big Projects

Motivation on big projects

My client work has slowed down a bit this first half of the year. While this is bad for my bank account, it is quite good for my long-term projects. As mentioned in my blog post about big projects, I’m working on a graphic novel. The first (crappy) layout has already been viewed and heavily judged by people, and now I’m already working on the second layout version. Hopefully a less crappy one.

Another project is a webcomic I’m preparing. It’s actually the third webcomic idea I’ve had (the second one became the graphic novel I’m working on), but I’m pretty confident about this version. It has everything: Wacky characters, a silly story, and memes! I won’t go into too much detail for now (stay tuned), but I wanted to talk to you about working on these big projects and the ups and downs that such projects can have. Especially overcoming the downs that you will face as you work on them.

We always see the finished work of creatives. Big projects like paintings, books and movies, and other works. But I think it is important to see the less positive side of these beautiful works. So I’m here to share my personal experiences and insights.

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Solutions

While it’s all fun and games in the beginning, and we’re fueled by motivation and inspiration, as soon as we hit roadblocks (or the realization that this is a lot of work), we get into some trouble. Over time, this can lead to the project being abandoned, but it is important to fight through these hard times.

When faced with these challenges, I realized the importance of seeking support and advice from friends and fellow creatives. Talk to them about your project. It will lead to more (and better) ideas for continuing the project, and the people you talk to can motivate you to keep going. Often a pep talk happens automatically when you discuss your project. Your listeners get excited about your ideas and what you have planned, and this will infect you and push you on when your motivation is low.

In addition, breaking the project down into smaller, more manageable tasks helped me face these big projects with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel. By focusing on one step at a time, I was able to make progress, even when it was slow. Leverage digital tools for this purpose: I use a project management system with Notion to break down these big projects into smaller pieces.

Another valuable lesson I learned from these projects was the power of experimentation and embracing failure. Instead of being discouraged by setbacks, I saw them as learning opportunities. The more we fail, the better we become. I discovered new ideas by iterating, exploring different approaches, and allowing myself to make mistakes.

Take Time and Push Through Big Projects

While working on my graphic novel, I faced unforeseen difficulties and moments of self-doubt. I realized that I needed more revisions of my layout, which pushed back my estimated time frame for completion of the project. To stay motivated in those moments, I tried to remind myself that it was perfectly fine to take the time I needed to make the graphic novel as good as possible (not perfect, of course). As long as I keep working on it, I will finish it. Even if it takes me a year longer than I thought it would.

I also take breaks that allow me to recharge and return to the project with renewed energy and focus. In my case, it is also good to find flaws in the visuals and story of my graphic novel and my webcomic. After a break of a few weeks, you can read your script as if you had never written it. You will see if your dialog feels natural or not. Just don’t take a break for too long. A long break will quickly turn into an abandoned project.

Finally, I developed a routine of regular reflection and self-evaluation that helped me push through lows. By evaluating my progress, identifying areas for improvement, and reaffirming my commitment to the project, I could push through moments of doubt and stay committed. Until I finish this behemoth of a project.

Conclusion

In summary, you need to overcome challenges by seeking support from others and breaking tasks into smaller parts. Accept failure and take the time necessary to complete your project. Engage in self-reflection so that you know where you are going. It is essential that you remain persistent and committed in the face of difficulties. Then you will be able to complete your big projects.

By sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others to take on ambitious projects, understanding that the journey and personal growth are just as important as the finished product. After all, you probably won’t like the finished projects anyway when you’re done.

Why You Need To Do a Big Project

My big project
My messy workspace and my new big project.

While listening to the Draftsmen Podcast, I was struck by a line from guest Flint Dille about his experience writing a novel. Despite being advised to start with a short story, Dille decided to jump into a big project by writing a book. Although the resulting novel did not sell, he gained confidence in his ability to tackle ambitious projects and never again felt intimidated by their scope.

This idea is fascinating – I had previously thought of large projects as simply opportunities to learn but had never considered their potential to reduce the anxiety they often cause. Dille’s example of writing a novel without hesitation is a reminder that anyone can take on such a challenge. And so can you!

My new project

This podcast episode was one reason I decided to start drawing a graphic novel. But mostly because it has always been a personal goal of mine. However, I never felt ready to take on such a significant project. Following the advice of others, such as Moebius, I initially focused on some wacky short stories to improve my skills. However, I now feel that I’m at a stage in my artistic life where I’m ready to tackle something bigger. The wackiest comic I’ve ever done!

Last year I started a major project that required a considerable amount of pre-work, but I recently decided not to do it because I wasn’t feeling 100% committed to it. I decided to turn another idea into a full-fledged graphic novel. It was originally intended to be a sitcom-like webcomic, but with my newfound confidence, I am excited to take it to the next level!

Will it be a masterpiece? Of course not. But one thing is for sure, I am committed to seeing this project through to completion.

I will be showing some work in progress on Instagram in the not-too-distant future. Until then, stay tuned.

Tips for your big project

Working on your big project? Or are you still thinking about it? Then do it! Here are some tips on this topic:

  1. Setting clear goals and identifying milestones is crucial when starting a big project. Celebrate these milestones when you reach them.
  2. Break your project into smaller, more manageable tasks so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Think of it like building a car; you may only see the huge car you need to make all by yourself. But you only need to look and work on the one bolt somewhere deep in the engine. Focus on the damn bolt!
  3. Creating a professional project plan and setting deadlines can also help you stay on track. With a clear plan in place, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and when. This can also help create a sense of urgency to motivate you to meet your deadlines.
  4. Remember to be okay with imperfection and avoid overwhelming yourself. Don’t strive for perfection (except your perfectionism is the good one), as this can lead to discouragement and stagnation. Accept that there may be mistakes along the way and just focus on making progress.
  5. Most importantly: start! Starting a big project can be the most challenging part, but once you see progress and your project takes shape, you’ll be more motivated to continue. So, take that first step and keep moving forward toward your goal!

Now stop surfing (and reading) and start working on your big creative projects!