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Creative Project Plan 1 
Creative Project Plan 2 
Creative Project Plan 3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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In creating, the only hard thing is to begin: a grass blade's no easier to make than an oak.

James Russell Lowell

It is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed.

Vida D. Scudder

Creative project plan: Envisioning your creation

Planning makes creating easy

This is the first phase of creative project planning. Here we will paint a virtual picture of what it is we wish to produce. For example, in your creative writing -- How to Write a Book plan, you will describe as specifically as possible what kind of book, what it will be about and any other details to make it real for you. If you're planning how to build a web site, you'll describe its function, keywords, features and so forth.

The more specific you can describe your goal, the better your plan will be.

1.  Action.  State your goal clearly.

Questions:

1. What do you wish to create?

2. What will it look, sound, or be like?

3. How will it work, specifically?

Background:

Whether your project is artistic or practical, you already have an idea of what it is. Let these questions guide you to fill in as many details as possible. You may discover things that were missing in your initial impulse. You may start getting new ideas already.

If you can give an example of how it would work when completed, that's great. What would a visitor to your web site do there? Who will buy your book? Go into the future and that will propel you forward.

2.  Action.  Explore the options.

Questions:

1. What other similar goals would excite you?

2. What goals do friends and advisers suggest?

3. What other creative projects could you pursue instead of this one?

Background:

Often people settle for creative goals that are easier for them. Sometimes they don't realize their own potential. If you don't challenge your own limitations, you will never grow.

This action broadens your horizons. Why ask how do I build a web site about gardening when your true passion is poetry? Why ask how to write a book on local history when in truth you want to write a full stage drama?

Asking others who have an objective opinion of you will help you see all of your realistic options.

3.  Action.  Commit to your goal.

Questions:

1. Of all the options, which goal gets you most excited?

2. Which goal do you feel most confident about?

3. What, then, is the goal you now commit to?

Background:

Now that you have gathered all your information, it's time to make a decision. Balancing what you desire to create with what is in your reach will point you towards a specific goal. Once you make that choice, commit to it with every fiber of your being. Go all the way through the planning phase and build your confidence.

4.  Action.  Gather your skills and materials.

Questions:

1. What skills will you need to create this project?

2. What materials will you need to create this project?

3. How will you obtain the best quality skills and materials?

Background:

For artistic work, you will need skills. For the person passionate about creative writing, how to write a book involves many skills. There is plot line, character development, use of language, pacing and so much more. The writer might plan to take a short course, or read some books on the subject. For the person asking "how do I build a web site," they will need technical skills. They will also need materials, such as software programs for their computer, graphics, and Web services.

The quality of the skills and materials directly affects the quality of what you are creating. Get the best you can afford, but don't get obsessed with equipment and such. There must be a definite time for you to start working with what you have acquired.

5.  Action.  Decide how best to use your time and energy.

Questions:

1. What parts of this goal do you control?

2. What parts of this goal do you only influence?

3. What will you do to influence the results best?

4. What things should you devote the most time and energy to?

Background:

Control and influence are very important concepts. Spending hours reading the newspaper is wasteful for most everybody. They neither control nor influence what they are reading there. Trying to influence your relative to behave in a certain fashion is better, but still not the best use of time. Changing your own behavior, which you control, is the best. And by changing your own behavior, you influence others.

Devote most of your time to that which you control, and the time will be well spent. You will gain more influence as well.

    Result.  You have begun planning your creation. You've crafted a general vision of what you wish to make. You understand what is required to create your project.

Your vision is taking shape

Now let's move on and challenge and improve your creative project plan.

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