Mode Switch
One of our biggest creative challenges
Shifting into and out of our creative work presents one of our biggest challenges. I’ve helped hundreds of creatives develop their own ‘mode switch.’ I’ll share some of these tactics here. See which of these you have tried, experiment with any that appeal to you, and then make a short list of tactics that help you switch modes between art and other obligations.
Insertion point
You’ve heard authors say they leave some gas in the tank when they finish a session. This way they can have something to get started with.
It's helpful to have a specific place to enter. When we go to the studio to write or make art, we don’t want to be in the wide field of deciding what to do. In this space of decision-making, there’s a lot of room for fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Awash in those feelings, it’s easier to delay and stay in the place of fractured focus. This contributes to the notion that we need a lot of time to warm up. I don’t think we need as much of the warm-up as we think.
Give yourself an insertion point. This practice has been a game-changer for my clients. When you end a creative session, make a note for yourself about where you will start next. Your insertion point could be a sticky note or a note in your document. Maybe it’s a citation in your artist notebook.
Leave a trail for your artist to easily pick up the thread. This will give you a way in that drives you past indecision and splintered focus.
Reflective writing
Free writing offers a quick way to clear your mind and warm up. Write for five minutes to ‘clear’ before working. Make notes after to acknowledge your efforts and cheer yourself on. Set a timer for 5-8 minutes and let rip in a doc or your artist’s manual.
Prompts you may explore:
I’m ready to…
Leaving behind…
Today’s mode switch…
Borrow inspiration
Jump-start with someone else’s work. Read a short and inspirational passage from a book about writing or another inspiring text. Flip through a book of images that inspire you. When writing my first novel, flipping through my Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus helped me get into word mode.
Mantra magic
Chant a mantra or saying to ease you into the zone. Post this in your space or artist’s notebook. It might sound simplistic, but even saying aloud, “I’m writing now” can help you shift gears. One of my clients, Nancie, uses temporary tattoos. It’s not an audible mantra, but a visible reminder that writing is an essential part of her days.
Get in the groove
Tune in to music to train yourself to easily access the writing zone. Perhaps you have a playlist ready that signals it’s time to focus and engage with your artist. I use a playlist of music from my life in Lisbon to get emotionally into my novel writing. I also like the gentle new-agey music on Insight Timer to help hold my focus.
Embody it
Move your body. Take a walk before or after sessions. Stretch and loosen up your body. Put on your favorite song and dance it out.
Set the stage
Prepare your space ahead of time. Leave your materials and notebook out and ready. Tidying briefly can be a great transition ritual. This is not the same as reorganizing or deep-cleaning your house or creative space!
Engage your senses
Adjust lighting, illuminate a candle, put on a special scent that signals to your artist that you are ready to dive in. Do what I call ‘sensual focusing.’ Go through each sense one by one, asking what you smell, hear, taste, feel and see. This takes a few minutes and will ground you and vivify your senses.
Be still. Give yourself a minute or five minutes to get present. Perhaps a few deep breaths. Honor where you’ve just been and where you are going next.
Most importably, you have to honor the boundaries you have set up around your writing. Nothing will work if you don’t show up when you say you will.
None of this is intended to make you a prima donna with a bunch of complicated requirements. Ultimately, you want to know what works for you to mode switch without angst or procrastination.
Affirmation: I know what helps me flow in and out of the focus state and I don’t let emotions delay my creative joy.
In the comments: What mode switch helps you transition into and out of creative mode?
Mode switching is huge. Two retired people live in my house ... and it's small. There are times when we are both working ... and times when one is puttering, which invites interruptions and potential cranky/hurt feelings. I love it when we are in sync, each in our own spaces. Then I can really concentrate. Or being home alone.
To get started I often do that light desk cleaning and clean out my emails, trying hard not to get too caught up in the shiny subject lines. A writing mentor I know does a one or two minute meditation. That works when I am in a project.
The hard part for me is where I'm at now ... between projects. I finished a difficult post in early November just before our trip to Japan. Now I have a list of topics in need of sorting and finding the "story" and then the lede. There are about 10 possibilities on my list and some other obligations. I chose this path ... but ARGH! I need to switch modes and focus.
This is great. I’m working on two main projects next year. One is production mode for publication. The other is in exploration and creation mode for myself and sharing with family. I’m fortunate to be mostly retired now so I don’t have to switch from day job or parenting mode to art mode. But it’s always good to have a way to shift between different parts of life with attention and clarity. Thanks for the reminder.