What are your creative goals this year?
And how are you planning to achieve your goals?
Henry knows what his goals are. He wants to write a book. He’d like to draw more. And he wants to create his very first course.
Ambitious?
Sure, his goals are audacious, but Henry feels he’s got the motivation and willpower to make this his best year ever.
Have you ever tried to exercise your willpower?
And?
Did it work?
Research has never proven that willpower can be practiced and strengthened. Even worse, research suggests that telling ourselves we lack willpower (and that we need to strengthen it) is enough to prevent us from implementing our plans.
And even more weirdly, people who think they have a lot of self-control, rarely exercise their self-control.
Instead, they nurture the right habits to plan for success. They avoid relying on willpower.
How to plan for creative success
Creative inspiration may seem to come out of nothing.
Isn’t that what an Aha! moment is?
But Aha! moments and creative inspiration aren’t conjured up out of nothingness; they’re based on solid work. When we put in our hours diligently, our muse will turn up to reward us with a spark of inspiration.
As Kaufman and Gregoire write in their book Wired to Create, inspiration and effort feed off each other. When you’re more inspired, you put in more effort. And when you put in more effort, you feel more inspired. It’s a dynamic interplay.
So, creative habits help us write more regularly and set us up for creative success.
Want to achieve your creative goals this year?
The infographic below outlines three essential creative habits to help you plan for your success.
Grab the embed code below to display the image on your website:
Recommended reading on creative habits:
How to be a prolific writer: 6 myths
How reading feeds my writing habit
A dilly-dallier’s guide to nurturing a writing habit
Recommended course:
Write It, Don’t Fight It: A Step-by-Step Course to Become a Joyful and Prolific Writer
‘people who think they have a lot of self-control, rarely exercise their self-control.’ Haha!
This whole willpower thing might be a myth!
I agree. I, for instance, have no idea why sometimes I do not bite my nails for months and at other times I cannot seem to stop. I don’t want to do it, but how hard do I need to not want it before my willpower sets in?
I think it’s impossible to rely on willpower. So, the advice would be to (a) make it difficult to bite your nails and/or (b) find out what triggers your nail biting (stress?) and then replace the nail biting with another activity — so when you notice you notice the stress sensations in your body (or what else triggers it), use a stress ball or do a specific yoga exercise or play some music or whatever else you can do to reduce your stress and not bite your nails.
Unlearning a habit is difficult. It’s easier to replace it by another habit.
I was replying to your remark about willpower being a myth. Possibly. Because I do not care enough about not biting my fingernails. So willpower might be more about wanting something than power. Anyhow. It is a much discussed subject so it would be interesting to demythify it.
Yes, I agree about busting the willpower myth. The nail biting is just an example. It works the same for other (bad) habits.
Thank you for this post.
My hope is to write more this year.
Happy writing, Rohan!
Great post Henneke!!!! You have written an amazing colourful post I have never read this kind of blog post ever. My new year resolution is to become a writer. What do you suggest me? where should I start my writing journey?
Have you thought about who you want to write for and what you want to write about? If you want to start a blog, you may find this helpful: https://www.copyblogger.com/simple-blog-strategy/
Thanks Henneke for showing up over and over again.
You are an inspiration for me. And as Seth Godin puts it ‘I would miss you and your work if it would not show up in my inbox.’
So Thanks for your work and for showing up again and again.
And: I love your infographic. Keep going.
All the best for 2019 from Switzerland,
Urs
That’s a beautiful compliment, Urs. Thank you so much! Wishing you a creative 2019 🙂
I am 79 years old and have been reading and enjoying your writing for several years. Before I leave this earth I want to do some writing for my only grandchild. Your graphic has spoken to me so perhaps it is not too late for me to try. Thank you.
Please go for it, Marian. There’s no age limit to writing nor to starting to write. If it’s hard to get started, make the first step as small as possible. Write just one paragraph. Or imagine yourself writing a short letter or even a postcard to your grandchild. Happy writing!
It’s never too late to try Marian. What a lovely thing to do for your grandchild in 2019. I’m sure they would love it. Best wishes Marian.
The closest words that comes to mind when I read whatever you write/post are ‘simple brilliance’!
You help, encourage and entertain all in one fell swoop.
The cartoon assist is awesome as just that, a smattering in all the right places. But dear lady, I believe this time it may have been a bit over used.
if you continue the art as adornment, it works.
Over us it and it’s clutter.
In this instance, it’s not adding flavor and distinction to what you write, causing clarity and drawing attention to where you intend… it seems to me to draw attention to itself.
There’s so much of it til there’s no longer the same effect!
You have so perfected what you do, such an effective communicator. “Simple Brilliance” Henneke!
I so respect who you are and what you do!
Simply Enchanting!
Thank you so much for your feedback and compliment, James. I appreciate it.
I’m fascinated by the combination of drawings and words, and I’d like the drawings to be more than just adornment because I’ve found that it’s often the drawings that stick into people’s minds. But it’s a journey, and I’m only at the start of my explorations, so I’ll see what I can come up with next!
Wow! I love the infodrawing, Henneke. What a perfect way to convey your message today. Happy New Year to you!
Thank you for your lovely comment, Rachel. Happy New Year!
Well done Henneke. Happy New Year!
Thank you, Anita. Happy New Year!
I love this! So simple to consume and easy to understand, thank you!
I’m thrilled you like it, Pip. Thank you 🙂
Thanks, Henneke. Happy new year.
Happy New Year!
Great sketches and great use of color. Along with your solid writing you are really hitting your stride. Thanks for the post. It was inspiring.
Thank you so much, Joe, for your lovely compliment and your continued support!
that is amazing! Great job henneke!
Thank you, Tom 🙂
If I could find a frame long enough, I would hang this on the wall in my office. Thank you, Henneke, for always making learning so much fun!
It is indeed really long!
I appreciate your lovely comment, Maria. Thank you.
Wow Henneke!! That is one awesome infographic. A piece of art in every way. Love it. Such a good way to convey your message. Always nice that modern media has got plenty of room for creativity like yours. Thanks for your thoughts. Time to develop my creativity be habits!
Yes, it seems kind of weird to be hand-writing text and hand-drawing pictures on real paper in this day and age. But I love the feeling of my colored pencils on the paper. Wishing you a creative year, Mark!
Yes, many of us lose the habit of creativity that we gained when we were children. A time when you could sit with a piece of paper and an array of colouring pens, open your mind and let it wander. Since then, as far as drawing on paper is concerned, my creativity is limited to doodles. Whenever I do them, I often think of Henrietta. “I wonder…if I do a doodle everyday for two years, could they develop into proper drawings and become as good as Henrietta!!” I usually conclude – no. Haha! Confidence hey!
I started a drawing course in mid 2013, and published my first drawing on this blog in January 2014. You’ll be amazed how far you’ll get with regular practice. And I haven’t drawn every day! I learned a lot by copying simple drawings.
I love it, thank you. It’s simple, easy to read and digest and very valuable.
Thank you so much, Melody. I appreciate your compliment 🙂
This is lovely!
I loved the whole strip, what a wonderful and creative way to write a blog post. Smiled all the way through!
And it makes me happy that you’ve been smiling all the way through. Thank you!
Love this so much! And must say, that your emails in my inbox brighten my day. They’re short, creative, and always contain nuggets of wisdom. Well done!
That is a lovely compliment. Thank you so much, Erin.
Hello Henneke… I read your post and all comments — great job done by firing on all cylinders. However, I read the comment by James citing the possible overkill of the art. I don’t necessarily agree with his position, but I noticed you did not reply. I think it would be a benefit to all of us if you defended your position. Thanks and Happy New Year!
hello Tom, I went out for a walk after publishing this post, so didn’t get to answer all the comments straightaway, but I always answer all comments 🙂 Happy New Year to you, too!
What a delightful, useful, treasure of a post!
And your drawing continues to become richer!
Thank you for your compliment, Brij. I’ve also noticed that my drawings continue to evolve. This week, it’s five years since I’ve published my very first hand-drawn blog illustration. It feels like an eternity ago!
Great message, great art, great quotes.
You’re just about the only blog I follow on a regular basis these days, and this post is why. You’re the best, Henneke. Keep up the fantastic work.
Thank you so much for your lovely compliment, James. I appreciate it!
Hey Henneke, Wow! You have started the year of with a bang. The infographic makes more sense than all of the stuff I have read on this topic. Great summary of the “right habits”.
Cheers Jeanette
Wow, that’s a big compliment! Thank you so much, Jeanette.
Thoroughly enjoyed this lovely and inspiring article – quotes, steps and art worked in harmony. Tulips got ooohs and aaahs!
The tulips were an old drawing, but they fitted perfectly in this post. I love tulips 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed this one, JoAnne. Thank you for stopping by.
Thank you for your great work! Always enjoy getting my Henneke fix in my inbox. Not that you need more to do… but I would love to buy a T-shirt that has your drawings on it. So clever.
That’s an interesting idea! Did you know you can already purchase mugs with my drawings? You can find them here: https://www.enchantingmarketing.com/mugs-for-writers/
Just brilliant! A perfect mix of art and words to distill complex thoughts to something simple and memorable. Such a good job of tying a variety of voices and wisdom into one colorful and entertaining infographic. As Joe Large said: ” you are just hitting your stride” . . . keep up the great, profound, practical and fun work you do!
Thank you so much for your lovely compliment, Janet. My plan is to draw more this year!
I absolutely loved your creative use of this infographic. It had me smiling and eager for the next bit of wisdom as I scrolled through. Thank you for sharing, Henneke!
Thank you so much, Gleniece. I’m thrilled that you were smiling and eager to scroll on. Thank you for stopping by!
I love your infographic, Henneke. It combines some of my favorite ideas and your charming illustrations in a flow that makes so much sense! How did you put it all together? Was it all hand-drawn away from the computer or do you use the computer to organize your ideas and then draw? Beautiful!
Thank you, Kate 🙂
And yes, it was all hand-drawn (colored pencils) and hand-written (ink & nib) in a sketchbook, then scanned. I used PhotoShop to assemble the various drawings into the infographic. I had to do some re-drawing and re-writing to make it flow and look “right.” It was a big project!
Henneke, all I can say is AMEN. You have captured the writer’s mindset beautifully. Love the sunflowers.
Paul – sunny Sydney
Thank you, Paul. I imagine the sunflowers might be flowering in sunny Sydney? 🙂
I love your art Henneke. You should create such ‘Info-comics’ more often. I’d gladly read them.
Thanks to you, now I know how to find new ideas.
Thank you, Aditya. I wish I had the time to do this every month, but I don’t think that’s feasible. I do hope to publish more drawings more regularly, though.
very simple words with deep meanings , I liked more the quote “the worst enemy of creativity is self-doubt “. i have an opinion though in order to be brilliant writer you need to read more and more without stop until the bank of thoughts to be developed in one’s brain .
Yes, reading is useful, and living, too.
Oh, Henneke, this is such a joyous post. I love the colours, the flowers and your “perfect doesn’t exist” drawing just melted my heart. I love the quotes and ‘inner game’ subtle message woven throughout. Thank you, and I wish you a fabulous 2019 bursting full of creative and joyous connections with your favourite muse. ♡
What a lovely compliment, Joan. Thank you. Wishing you an enchanting 2019 bursting with creativity, too!
I think Henrietta might be my muse. 😉
You are amazing and talented! Thank you for sharing with us your writing, your life, your art, your gifts… I am inspired to write this year also! You are helping me get to that place of focus to make it happen. Sending you my warmest wishes.
Yay! It makes me happy, Kirstin, that you feel inspired to write this year, too. May this year be full of creative energy for you!
its an awesome infodrawing
Love it.
all aspects
<3
Thank you, Tal! 🙂
Wow, Henneke! This post was just bursting with color and fun. I imagine it was also a joy to create.
Keep inspiring us, keep writing, keep drawing! You are becoming quite a master. 😉
Happy 2019!!!
Yes, it was a lot of fun to create.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Penelope. Wishing you a joyful 2019!
Such a beautiful infographic, Henneke! Thank you for this. I’m a big believer in cross-pollination and find inspiration in the most unlikely places (and subjects).
Yes, I also find inspiration in the most unlikely places. It’s wonderful how that works.
Thank you for your lovely comment, Yolanda.
Henneke,
If you look up the word “creativity” in the dictionary, there’s a picture of you!
Thanks for all you do.
And imagine, for many years I thought I wasn’t creative!
Thank you for your beautiful compliment, Bill. I appreciate it 🙂
Happy 2019 Henneke 🙂
I loved this post and its format is unique, good job! I found myself smiling with every drawing (the details are amazing), the tips that perfectly paired with each sketch and the witty references (Dr. Seuss cat’s hat was brilliant). I enjoy reading about our self critique – something I personally struggle with too – and love that she is a solid character of your posts.
Cheers to a wonderful 2019 🙂
Henrietta impersonating the Cat in the Hat made me smile 🙂
Harsh self-critique is so common, but we can really work on it and make our critiques more productive.
Thank you for stopping by, Virginia. Good to see you again. Wishing you a wonderfully creative and productive 2019!
Love this format! It’s fun and informative at the same time. So cool! You are not just a prolific writer, Henneke, but a prolific drawer too! 🙂
Thank you, Tatyana. I find it quite hard to both draw and write a lot. Last year, I’ve written quite a lot, but in the last few weeks I’ve not written at all, but drawn a lot. This year, I’ll try to figure out a way to do both regularly!
Yes, I know what you mean Henneke. It’s almost like that left brain / right brain kind of situation, haha.
Well, it will be a treat for us (your readers) once you are writing AND drawing. It will take your storytelling to a whole new level. 🙂 And I cherish the stories you tell.
Excellent Henneke, your drawings are making me happy just to look at. I have this never give up attitude and working on my first Novel, started late last year. No more pics books just story. I have two more in the waiting line, so better keep going. Life is also quite demanding and my years in the high numbers are steadily getting higher. I hope you had a great and successful year. Best wishes lots of love for 2019.
Annamarie M.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Annamarie. I’m glad my drawings are making you happy!
And congratulations on starting your first novel. That’s fabulous. Wishing you a wonderfully creative 2019 full of writing joy.
I really love your new format Henneke! I’m more of a visual learner that’s why. Ideas stick more easily with pictures. Keep it up! 🙂
Thank you, Thom. I’m glad you like it!
I am fascinated by infographics, seeing words and images work together to enhance each other. I think you achieved that here, Henneke – I love it ?.
I have realised that having a growth mindset is a cultivation process, a decision that I make over and over as my circumstances shift.
I like the reminder to embrace constant sources of inspiration. Sometimes my inner critic uses my inspirations to highlight a lack of personal output – I will take the opportunity to reframe that in future ?
Here’s to an inspiring 2019 ?
I love your phrase cultivation process. I’ve also found that nurturing a growth mindset requires a constant reframing of our thoughts and also small actions to keep growing. When I look back on my writing or drawing over the years, I can see how I’m growing and I feel more excited about the journey ahead.
Thank you for all your support, Alison. It means a lot to me. Wishing you a creative 2019 with unexpected sources inspiration!
Hi Henneke,
What a wonderful graphic! Of course, I love the beautiful drawings–so colorful and whimsical and enchanting.
But also, I love how you summarized and collated so many different ideas on willpower and then, as if this wasn’t enough, took these ideas and offered great tips on getting the creative juices flowing.
Thank you. I am very inspired and can’t wait to play with your ideas!
Thank you so much, Julia, for your lovely compliment. It was quite a challenge to summarize the ideas and also give practical tips, and then illustrate it all. It was a great holiday project 🙂
I’m so happy this post makes you feel inspired. Happy creating!
Oh! What an excellent infographic! `love it. This post excites me to enhance my writing skill. Gracias, Henneke.
That makes me happy, Alia. Thank you. Happy writing!
Thank you for this post. I hope I can finish my first ebook this Januari.
That sounds great. Go for it!
Great post, Henneke. Reminds me of this: Genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.
Your drawings keep improving! It’s obvious that you’ve spent the time to make them a true addition to your posts.
Thank you, Robert. I’m glad you see my drawings as a true addition to my writing 🙂
It’s interesting what Scott Barry Kaufman says about that quote in his book Wired to Create: “It doesn’t make much sense to single out perspiration as important and treat inspiration as unimportant. They are jointly important!”
I have definitely done more to stifle my own creativity than anyone else in my life. It took getting older to finally realize that the inner critic is usually just being a jerk and I should ignore him.
Yes, it’s really true that we’re often our own worst enemies, isn’t it? Thank you for stopping by, Mike!
Great info-drawing!
And I love the name diffuse-mode thinking. I was already practising the One Thing as a source of my focus, and now I have a name for all that background thinking and processing.
I’m glad you like the info-drawing.
Somehow, I found that labeling this type of mind-wandering as diffuse-mode thinking may make me use this mode better. Happy thinking and happy writing, David! 🙂
absolutely adorable
Thank you, Kara 🙂
You are the epitome of creativity in this post Henneke! These are great tips.
Thank you so much for your compliment, Andrea. Happy writing!
Late to the party this week but absolutely gorgeous artwork, my friend!
Henrietta’s party never seems to stop, so you can pop in any time 🙂
I think I can write well but don’t stop thinking and start writing at once. I’ve been reading you for a year now but still I hesitate. That’s true in my case.
Writing requires a lot of thinking, so it’s quite normal to be hesitant before starting to write. It only becomes a problem when we start procrastinating—when we delay writing because we’re anxious about getting started or because we want to write a perfect sentence in one go.