A few weeks ago I wrote about artists generating new ideas. In that blog I said most artists have a lot of ideas. Choosing one idea from many may be challenging for some. Then on the other hand, sticking with an idea and following it through to completion may be difficult for others.

Today I’ll write about choosing one idea from the many creative ideas an artist may have.

1. Recording ideas:
Hopefully you will have recorded your one hundred and one ideas. I write mine down on post-its, calendars, pieces of notepaper and in the last few years, recorded them on stickies on my laptop or in notes on my i Pad.

2. Journal:
I journal every morning. I start with Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages from The Artist’s Way. Then I proceed to organize and prioritize. Here’s where my lists come in handy. I review what I’m still interested in and I cross out what I have lost interest in or decided against. Usually this is a process where I am exploring and researching for a period of time learning what my ideas may entail.

3. Prioritize:
Actual choosing boils down to what I consider doable and realistic. That doesn’t mean giving up my dreams. It just means I need to take steps towards that dream and start at the beginning. I want to see success and accomplishment so I keep that in mind as I begin to prioritize.

First, I ask myself if I need to research or explore any of my ideas. Do I need new skills? Is there training or education involved? Are there classes or workshops I can take?

Secondly, I consider my time. What can I accomplish in a reasonable period of time? My reasonable time may be a month. That means I need to see some positive results from my choice within that time frame. Others may want a shorter period of time to see results or longer depending on the idea and your preference.

Some ideas are directly related to projects that have a built-in time structure. For example, entry dates for contests, publications, exhibitions and so on have established dead lines.

Since I am self-employed I can be flexible with some projects, rescheduling time for exploring and completion. Others with day jobs may have set limits to their free time. This all needs to be considered.

Third, start a list numbered from #1 to #10. Have more then ten? Leave those in your notes. You can always go back to them months later. More then likely, some will die out naturally and others will keep resurfacing until you give them your attention. You will see a pattern of recognizable themes and ideas that repeat themselves in various forms over time.

4. One Choice:
From the list of ten, choose one from the top three. By now, you will have researched your ideas, asked questions, and spoken to those who are experts in the subject of your ideas. Coaches, teachers, career counselors or people who work in the field (related to your idea) are good sources of qualified information.

You will also have estimated the time involved in following through on this project and know if you need additional training. Most importantly you will have reflected on your personal values, acknowledged your limitations and recognized what motivates and sustains you. You will have answered the question, “Am I willing to devote the time and energy to this idea to make it work?”
Sounds easy, but it often entails so much more!

Next time, I’ll write about developing a plan for one idea.

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