Four Steps To Get into the content Creation mindset In 2024
4 Steps To Get Into The Content Creation Mindset In 2024
So many of us start the new year off with a burst of energy and motivation to stay consistent with our content creation. Whether you have a podcast, a YouTube channel, or even a TikTok or IG that need attention, I guarantee you’ve felt lost and overwhelmed at some point in your creation journey. I know this because I’ve been there too. Over the past 17 years of producing and writing content I have discovered that creating consistently is a mindset, not just an action. That’s why I came up with five mindset strategies that have helped me stay more consistent and creative. These strategies have also helped many of my clients, and now I’m sharing them with you! But first, let’s talk about that dreaded “C” word that so often makes people break into a cold sweat… CREATIVITY.
I should charge a buck every time I catch someone insisting, "Creativity isn't really my thing".
Creativity is one of those words that gets lumped into the bag with every “creative” field out there from video production all the way to advertising. But don’t you think it takes creativity to come up with better hiring solutions at a manufacturing company? Or a healthier lunch schedule at a daycare center? Does creativity not live inside the walls of a church where motivational messages are shared? Or in a meeting between politicians deciding on their next platform?
I believe everyone has a the ability to create and be creative, you just have to understand what helps and hurts your ability do spark this creative energy.
First, I think it’s important to understand that creating and creativity are not the same thing. Creativity is a noun and create is a verb, which is the beginning of why we apply these words differently. To create is to bring (something) into existence. THAT’S IT! Super simple, right? You made a sandwich for lunch today, guess what? YOU CREATED!
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines creativity as “the ability to create, and the quality of being creative”. If we dive deeper and define “creative” we can make sense of some people’s hesitancy around adopting the adjective, since it’s defined as “the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.” DING! This is probably why people get so caught up in rejecting their creativity, because they don’t consider their work to be “artistic”. A fair assumption, because not everything out there is artistic, right?
Maybe. I believe art is a very subjective work and what I find artistic, you could describe as moronic. But I digress. The point here is that before you can get into the creative mindset and make more space for creativity, you might want to remind yourself of what these words mean, because I personally found this reminder to be liberating!
Lately I feel more at ease about creating consistently because I understand that to create is simply to bring something into existence and this makes it much easier to put my work out there.
How do you create consistently? That’s why you came here right? We begin by laying the foundation to our creative space. These are the steps I recommend taking to get you ready to create consistently this new year.
Find a creation location
There should be a place in your life where you feel completely encouraged to create. This might be your home office, but it could also be your living room, spare bedroom, a balcony, your attic, etc... You don’t need a ton of space to make video content for social media, write a blog post or record a podcast episode, even a closet could work. If you’re making videos, the most important part is that you have access to light, either through a window, a ring light or a couple LEDs. You can’t make engaging video content in the dark. Believe me, I’ve tried.
Invite creativity into your space
This will be super easy if your content is mostly written, I recommend finding a space that brings you peace and joy and avoiding a space that reminds you of work. For example, when i started writing my romance novel last year, I realized that the energy in my office was too distracting and serious for the type of book I’m writing, so instead I write in my bedroom or at the kitchen table.
For video and podcasting content you need an inviting surrounding. A couple of years ago, I realized that my office space was not helping me create more social media content because every time I felt a rush to make a quick video I had to start by moving things out of my background, cleaning off my desk and finding an angle that worked. When I realized that all of this prep work cut 30 minutes into my creation time, I had all the motivation I needed to change my layout and re-decorate. I moved my desk, painted the walls, hung pictures up and re-arranged some of the other furniture, so now when I feel an urge to press record, I just turn on the ring light, plug in my wireless microphone and go! This takes five minutes by the way, not thirty. I also know what height my chair should be to make sure I’m looking directly at the camera lens, so I don’t have to think about that either. All of these things are making it easier for me to just jump in when I’m ready to record a video, without having to overthink my surroundings.
Prepare your headspace
It is nearly impossible to create consistent video content if you don’t have the mental space for it. Another reason why I changed up my office layout and organized it was so I wouldn’t be thinking about the “cleaning” I needed to do while I was supposed to be creating content. “I want to write this blog post, but I should clean my desk first,” was my favorite procrastination excuse. Now I still don’t always have my space in perfect order, but I can handle ignoring it while I’m busy creating because my mind understands this is just a cognitive distortion. You see, I like to use “should” as a way to get out from creating. My coach used to say it’s my mind’s manifestation of my soul being afraid to put my work out. So I started writing down the things that scared me about devoting time to create and it was surprisingly freeing. It didn’t require years of therapy to erase all my doubts and fears, in fact they’re still around, but I’m now aware enough to realize I can create in spite of them. Which is why I suggest you take a moment to write all the things that hold you back from creating content consistently, then proceed to the next suggestion.
Find time to create
This is not going to be a paragraph about time management. I’m not going to remind you of the benefits of batching or having a content calendar. Instead, ask yourself this question: “What is the number one (time-related) issue that keeps me from creating content consistently?” Be SPECIFIC. Don’t give it a vague answer like: “I’m too busy,” or “I have too many responsibilities",” even though this might be true.
Here’s how I might answer this question: “I’m too tired and busy to do my hair and makeup, and if I don’t look ‘professional’ people might not take me seriously, plus I don’t like how I currently present on camera, I need to lose this pregnancy weight.” Phew! Lot’s to unpack here, I know… but I want to show you how helpful it is to be specific about what “time-related” issue is holding you back, because in many cases your time issue can be solved if you address the underlying fears behind it.
This is how I worked through my “lack of time” excuse for creating video content. I promised myself that this year I will do my hair and makeup at least twice per week, which puts less pressure on having to do it every day. I’ve also embraced my naked skin, with a side of lip gloss and mascara, which I can do in five minutes. BOOM! Plus, I’m a big fan of normalizing the casual look in professional scenarios. I wear sneakers to events, jeans are standard in my work wardrobe and I never apologize for wearing t-shirts and hoodies. I also never apologize for my curly hair, which admittedly is not always looking fly, but that’s life.
So with this new outlook I’ve cut my getting ready time significantly and have more space to create.
For more content creation strategy tips like this, make sure you’re on my email list. Connect with me on social media and tell me, what strategies have helped you nurture your creative mindset?
HAPPY CREATING!