On Creative Groups

Are you in any creative groups to support your work?

For example, writing, music, art, photography?

The groups can be on Facebook, a workshop, perhaps even a Twitter feed, or even a meetup. Your job could have them, or even your church.

The groups have like-minded individuals who share a common pursuit. To produce art.

Groups are great. They are fun and encouraging to be with.

When the numbers groups get too big, it can be challenging. It runs the risk of becoming more of a social club than a group to produce art. For example, if you come to a group to be a writer, at some point, your morph into a group organizer, and your writing time has now been taken over by organizing meetings, facilitating meetings, and keeping up with other members.

You can run the risk of becoming a project manager.

Or your groups can get too small. The temptation then is to begin to think that you are doing something wrong. Then you are tempted to turn against yourself with a statement like this- “ Perhaps I can be a better host, perhaps I can invite more people.”

This, again, is the wrong road to go down. The purpose of a group is to support you in your creative work.

Rather than work on trying to figure out how to make the group better, get back to why you are in the group in the first place. Second, to work on your creative work. Creative work is lonely. Solitary. Perhaps this is a sign that you are ready to graduate. Third, to move out of the group and into a period of creativity that works for you.

Creative groups are wonderful. I owe my creative life and increased productivity to the power of groups. You must take time to monitor your thoughts and where you are at in the process.