As actively creative people, we can have any number of creative projects in progress at any one time. These can be of different types and styles, and vary in size, complexity, depth and ambition.

We all work a little differently, and finding what gives us best results, what helps us create most effectively and with most meaning, is all part of living our authentic creative life.

Sometimes we’ll be working on an epic, multi-layered novel, whilst also taking time out once a week or so to write a couple of small poems.

Or maybe we’ll be working on a series of paintings around a common theme – our childhood in Tuscany, our late father’s sudden decline, or the Great Lakes of Canada, and in between sessions, sketch a few simple pencil drawings on the bird life in our back gardens.

Whatever we’re working on, we have different levels of interest, commitment, and emotional investment in each of these projects. We need this variety to keep us motivated and stimulated, and to grow and evolve as creative people.

Sometimes though our work, our creative projects, can become a little familiar, a little too safe. Even though the same powerful themes and ideas keep appearing and speaking to us, but we tone them down or ignore them completely, instead working on projects more within our comfort zone.

In short, we all have “Projects in the Closet”, that, for whatever reason, we’re afraid of opening the door on and letting out into the world.

So what projects do you have in your closet that you’re afraid of?

Maybe there’s a novel you have a burning desire to write, but are scared about whether you can convincingly portray the authentic voice of its lead character, a 12 year old boy suffering from a debilitating illness.

Maybe, although you compose mainly classical music, you long to explore sample and beats based electronic music on your laptop, but fear you’re too old or too inexperienced?

Maybe you’re tired of traditional ballet and want to break out and bring into being the contemporary dance piece you’ve been planning on and off for the last decade and a half but still fear your parent’s disapproval. Even though your 39 years old.

All of us have these kind of “Projects in the Closet”, the meaningful, powerful and potentially life changing work we secretly long to create but don’t for some fear or other.

But what’s the cost of NOT working on these projects? How does it compromise our integrity as an artist to continue to deny and ignore these major works of great personal meaning?

If we were to pass away without having even attempted to begin work on them, how would that fit within the image we have of ourselves been honest and truthful and leading a fulfilling creative life?

The first step to facing and embracing this issue is just to admit we have such a Project in the Closet.

Write it down, outline what it is, and where you’re at with it. Just doing that one thing, taking that first step, is a brave thing to do, and will show to yourself how important it is and how committed you are to your creative life.

Go on, do it right now, just take a pen and write:

“My biggest Project in the Closet is …”

and fill in the blank.

See, don’t you feel a little better already? Now, what’s the next step you'll take..?

Dan Goodwin
http://www.CoachCreative.com