If you’ve ever undertaken an ambitious creative project that will take you to the Next Level, you’ll know that it can feel like a rollercoaster - sometimes it’s a slow uphill battle, whilst other times it’s a thrilling ride.

That’s because challenging yourself to tackle something new, be it learning a different technique or developing a business idea has a series of peaks and dips. You’ll go through a variety of emotions ranging from euphoria, optimism and excitement, to overwhelm, discomfort and fear during this whirlwind ride.

Developing new work is not as easy as, A: New Idea, B: Create, C: Distribute, instead there are 8 stages in a next-level creative leap. Acknowledging and understanding these phases can empower and help you to stay the course of the ride.

Read on to access the ride’s stages - no height restrictions apply!

STAGE ONE - NEW IDEA

This is the stage we all live for as artists and business owners. You see a dreamy new idea in all its glory long before you’ve even got your tools out. You’re euphoric and can’t wait to get started.

You enthusiastically jump out of bed in the morning and have a spring in your step as you excitedly plan and research all the wondrous possibilities.

STAGE TWO - MATERIALISATION

The work begins. Hours turn into days, days into weeks and the reality of what is required of you to materialise this idea starts to hit home.

It seems as though the further along you are in your plan, the more effort it takes to get the job done. The enthusiasm from Stage One begins to diminish as you hit ever more obstacles and everything feels like a real effort. Eventually, over time, this stage gets tougher and you enter:

STAGE THREE - THE MUD PIT 

If you thought Stage Two was hard and required masses of effort, you’re in for a shock.  In this stage your energy and excitement are spent, you feel overwhelmed by the obstacles ahead and begin to doubt whether it’s worth the energy required to see it through. 

It feels like you’re stuck, weighed down in deep heavy, viscous mud, slowly battling your way to the next stage. Sounds intense, but that’s because it is and it’s why so many projects, businesses or artworks are left unfinished, binned and unrealised. 

This stage presents you with a choice – fight or flee. Either you muster up your reserve energy to push through the mud pit to the next stage of your journey, or you leave in search of the next shiny idea.

STAGE FOUR - FLOW

You’ve trudged through and endured the mud. Things start to get easier again and you're rewarded with a new glorious stage called Flow. During flow, hours melt away in this absorbing and highly engaged state and it feels like the work literally flows from you.  

You 'finish' the project, but that’s not the end of the journey… 

STAGE FIVE - RESIST

Self-doubt, procrastination, fear and self-sabotage arrive in the form of  Resistance, which stems from the  Lizard Brain or the Amygdala. This part of our brain fears things outside our control and so it finds ways to stall us from putting out into the world such things that could cause us harm or danger - whether physical or emotional.

You reason with yourself, trying to find the right excuse to stay safe from potential outside harm; ‘it’s not good enough’, ‘I’m not ready' or 'I need more time!’

Sometimes the fear of the unknown, plus the safety of your comfort zone can prevent you from reaching the next stage for days, months, even years. Either your desire or curiosity for what’s on the other side transcends all, or you shelve the project and retreat back to your safe comfort zone.

STAGE SIX - SIGN OFF

You’ve pushed past doubt, decided it’s good enough, or at least as good as you can do right now, and you add your signature to the creative project, releasing it out into the world.  

You’re on a high with the achievement of ‘finishing’ your project, but shortly after this high you’re faced with, The P.P. Dip. 

STAGE SEVEN - POST PRODUCTION DIP

‘People will think it’s stupid, look at all those flaws, that bad review is right, Why has no one bought it, this was a waste of time.’

You’ve released the idea out into the world that you’ve poured hours, weeks or months into, you've put your heart on the line, wrestled with doubts and resistance but still, you second guess yourself. 

STAGE EIGHT - LIFE

The shiny red wine exhibition opening has been dismantled and there's no one left to leave any snarky reviews in the comments book. The work takes on a life of its own, continuing to reach or imprint upon people years later, without your assistance.

You've successfully completed the project and reached the Next Level. It's a place of lessons learned, experience achieved and well-deserved promotion. 

Life continues, you live with the doubts and head towards the next Stage One thrill armed with the knowledge you can see through the course of the ride. Or, perhaps you don't. 

Studio Notes

If you’d like to create more art, my bi-monthly email, Studio Notes is packed with strategies for your creativity, gives you a peek into the studio and delivers encouragement and lessons to make time for and develop your Art.