As artists, we ourselves are creators. We create our stories, our books, our poems and we share them with the world.
But, we are also consumers. We read, watch television, listen to podcasts. We fill our well with knowledge and inspiration to fuel our creator sides.
One of the challenges I have faced is finding the balance between consuming and creating. When I’m not feeling as confident in my work, I want to consume, consume, consume. The opportunity though is to stick with the work.
Take in inspiration and then create, give, move the words onto the page. Are you ready to do more creating? Read on!
The Difference Between Being a Consumer and a Creator
The truth is that we are all both a consumer AND a creator simultaneously. You cannot have one without the other.
Being in consumer mode is invaluable and ultimately pays off in the long run because this is the time we spend learning, educating ourselves, and expanding our minds. Equally, being in creator mode is extremely rewarding because your creative juices are flowing, and you are creating something that is in tune with what makes sense to you at this moment.
But, the question is, are you showing up as strongly in the one that matters the most to you right now, without judgment?
What it means to be in consumer mode
Many people jump to the conclusion that being in “consumer mode” is when you are out buying things when that is not the form of consumerism I mean here.
Being in consumer mode is when you consume valuable ideas, literature, and thought-provoking leadership, so when you are ready to switch into creator mode, you have a wealth of knowledge and inspiration supporting you.
If you are spending most of your time taking in podcasts, articles, books, poetry collections, and documentaries to learn and expand your mind, ensure you are giving equal or more time, depending on your goals, creating.
Consuming is an essential part of the creative process because you’re learning from someone who has done the work for you. It’s like having someone cook a meal for you, and your only job is to enjoy it.
But, you need to consciously consume the material that will help you when you are in your creative mode.
When you are in creative mode, you must commit to the process
A question I ask my clients when discussing the creative mode is, are you genuinely bringing forth the music that is inside you at the level you feel your soul, heart, or life is asking you to?
If the answer is no, then it is time to reevaluate your “why” and take a deeper dive into the content you are consuming. Is that content fueling your creative fire?
A great exercise to observe how much time you are consuming versus creating is drawing a pie graph. Draw a circle on a piece of paper and draw lines to estimate how much time you spend consuming and receiving, versus how much time you are producing, creating, and contributing.
This exercise intends not to shame, yet to just check in with yourself to make sure that you are on track to achieve everything you want with the rest of this year.
For example, I am currently working on a new book with a very robust, rigorous timeline that I’ve set in place for myself. And if I consume 75% of the time and only create 25% of the time, I won’t finish my book before the end of the year.
So, just be honest with yourself. Are you creating and contributing to the extent that you feel your soul wants you to or aligns with your goals?