Has this ever happened to you? You make a date. You eagerly anticipate the day, maybe buying a special outfit or a new journal, and you are all pumped up to see where this will all lead.
You look up from your daydream, (your computer, your book, your taxes, whatever) and are shocked to discover that the long-awaited time has passed. You have been stood up. By yourself.
How often have we signed a contract in yet another book on creativity, only to never open the book again? Or promised to spend twenty minutes in the studio, only to fail to show up. Vowed to start an exercise program, diet, dance class on Monday, and then next Monday, and then next quarter, or maybe when the kids are back in school... Morning pages, anyone?
What should you do? You could get angry with yourself, but that won't accomplish much. I wouldn't want to spend much time with someone who was always getting angry with me, would you? Lighten up.
If this recalcitrant date were a member of the opposite sex, I'd tell you to avoid planning dates more than an hour ahead of time. This works because the spontaneous offer to do something unplanned pitches the activity into the "fun" category -- and it doesn't leave your date enough time to develop cold feet.
So, try it on yourself. Google "dance classes", "yoga workshops", "pilates", "watercolor classes", "woodworking" in your area, and see if a drop-in class is offered somewhere in the next hour. Move away from the computer. Invite yourself to an unplanned trip to a museum or art gallery. Pull out your sketch book, right now, and doodle something. So what if the clock reads "9:00pm"? Flip out the journal, and write one of those "morning pages". Be a little naughty. Tell your boss you need a one hour mental health break, right now, and run back to your studio to keep your twenty minute promise.
If you don't give yourself an opportunity to procrastinate, forget, stall, or get scared you will launch yourself into the chosen activity with all the joy that drew you to it in the first place.
And laugh like hell, because if this works for you, you really are choosing to create.
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