Dec 2nd 1-2-3: Maintaining Forward momentum
1: Maintaining Forward Momentum ( 3 minute read )
The concept of ‘Forward Momentum’ has its own differing effect in all sorts of differing contexts, but in regards to the artistic process it's a concept most of you are going to want to learn how to grasp, implement, and maintain.
Learning how to think less and do more is great for getting the ‘machine’ moving, and for putting some mileage on it.
Learning how to maintain this motion is integral to long-term output turning yourself into a ‘well oiled’, art pumping machine.
It will give you the ability to trudge along through any difficulty you run into along your artistic journey. It will teach you how to apply the concept of ‘trusting the process’.
But first.
What is ‘Forward Momentum’?
‘Forward Momentum’ is the idea that over a certain period of time, there is motion moving in a direction.
It's commonly understood that the term ‘Forward Momentum’ almost translates generally to ‘Progress towards a goal’, or within music for instance it typically means, ‘The feeling of motion from the start of a song through to its resolution’; the ‘feeling of progress’.
Generally it's used to mean either ‘evoking the feeling of moving towards a goal or end point’, or ‘actually moving towards a goal or end point’.
Its meaning can have slight variations depending on the context it's used in, though within the context of the ‘Artistic Process’ I’m referring to it in the latter meaning I gave above.
Forward Momentum is a greatly useful term and all, but it has no place if something isn’t moving to begin with, so on to the next!
How to get moving?
Within the Compendium we have talked about the concept of ‘Getting Started’ a couple of times and the ‘long in short’ I think can be summarized in a few key points.
To get going you must:
Recognize that your current ‘skill’ is no matter. No great artist began as a great artist. It took them YEARS to build their notoriety and skill within their respective craft.
Care less about what others might think about your art. Expressing of one’s self within art can sometimes fill one with anxiety, seem a bit embarrassing, or evoke a sense of immense vulnerability. Know you're not alone and get to work, or as many great artists can attest “Get your ass in the chair and get going!”
Learn how to think less and do more. Or rather, learn when to think less, and when to think more. In all forms of art there are parts of the process that you must think through with careful deliberation, and other parts you don’t have to think through and just need to be done with swift consistency. Innately identifying these differences is key.
Keep those things in mind and get going. Once you’ve got the ‘wheel’ in motion, now it's time to learn how to ‘maintain’ that momentum.
How to Maintain your Momentum ?
The art of maintaining momentum is one that I wish I had a better, clearer, and more straight forward answer for.
The reality is much more,..
How do I say?
Dissatisfying.
To maintain one’s ‘forward momentum’ is something that is deeply specific to one’s particularities and individual process.
However, I won’t leave you with nothing to work with.
Though it’s very specific to the artist, there are some key points I have noticed are a few generally common factors between most artists who have learned this.
Think in terms of ‘Longevity’. For whatever decision you’re thinking about making with your art, bounce that off of the word ‘longevity’, and if it kills that word then I’d advise you to reconsider that decision. Otherwise, proceed.
Watch out for ‘burnout’. I truly cannot stress how easy it is to burn yourself out. One day you're ‘on fire’, and seemingly nothing can stop your creativity. You find yourself feeling a bit drained, but you decide to keep going while ‘the fire is still hot’. Sooner than later your drained of all creativity, looking back on your past works through a lens of morose dissatisfaction. Which leads me right into the next point.
Expect to see your work with an eye of dissatisfaction at times, it's natural. Choose one piece of your past art that you are currently ‘satisfied’ with, then look at it everyday moving forward and I guarantee you’ll soon find something in it to not like. We as artists are not meant to be ‘satisfied’, we are meant to create!
Along with these common factors there's a general sense of nurturing yourself I’d like to encourage.
Be gentle in adjusting your process.
Nurture the artist within you, and get to work. It's a balancing act that keeps you moving forward.
As my brother likes to put it, “Be easygoing, but also be disciplined”.
And as I like to say, “I tell you this not because it's easy, but because its the most fulfilling as an artist, and It will guide you to those fairly common days where you get 1% better”
I’m sure I’ll revise this concept much more in the future, but for now, “get your ass in the chair and get going!” :)
Then learn what YOU need to balance in order to Maintain YOUR Forward Momentum.
2: Creative Prompts From Us (ex. Write a short story, a poem, a song, or draw a quick illustration of these! Let your imagination run free.)
I. A man was induced into a coma, however from his perspective he it experiencing every moment as if he weren’t in a coma. What does he see? What are those around him saying?
II. In a rural town, far from any civilization, there was an accidental murder during a very heating family argument. What happens next?
3: Inspirational Quotes From Others
I. “If I find something I like, I’ll chase it and see what comes out the other side. Once a song gets momentum and gets away from you, that’s a good sign.”
-Dave Matthews, Musician
II. “ I long so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things require effort and disappointment and perseverance. “
-Vincent Van Gogh, Dutch Painter
III. “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
-Vincent Van Gogh, Dutch Painter
Thank you so much for reading!