Creating Under Pressure

Priscilla George
Nov 9, 2016
3 min read

Creating is a freeing thing, a meditative state, a therapeutic release. People tend to create during times of happiness, to make themselves happy, or to escape their current situation. What happens when creating is a job and you have to create under pressure? Does it lose it's magic and purpose? Will the ideas you always have dry up under the stress?

When I committed to being an artist as a viable career I knew that meant deadlines. What no one tells you is some times those deadlines are so fast and quick. You don't get months to plan, you don't get weeks even, sometimes you get days! Of course you can say no to any opportunity but saying yes to certain jobs can open up doors.

I find I'm a procrastinator. No matter how much time I give myself I still do all my tasks at the last moment. Why do I do this? Maybe it's because my best work comes out of time crunches and stress. Yes, this sure does sound like a bad way to manage. Tell me about it! When I start tasks early the result never comes out as great. How come? After making painting for several years on deadlines I have figured out my why. I create better art under stress and extreme time crunches because I turn off the thinking, the worrying, the fear, and just do. It's like I go on auto pilot.

I'm writing this blog post because this past week I had an extreme time crunch last minute deadline. Create original art to go up in an art exhibit in 3 days. Phew it was a crazy time but it resulted in the start of a series I'm really excited about. The paintings to me have a story because of the art exhibit theme.

Let me walk you through

how I get creating

under pressure.

1. Figure out my Idea. First things first, get your idea out. What are you creating? Why are you creating it? What are the guidelines? Brainstorm the way you do but on hyperspeed. I'm not a writer so words don't help me. I'll think of a theme of images in my head and once I feel a connection and draw to a subject then I plan out how many piece in what sizes and their compositions.

2. Plan your time. When you are on a time crunch time is important. Write out the rest of the days you have on a piece of paper. Then plan what you will need to do each day to finish on time. Don't put down the hours because you'll get stressed if you get "off time".

3. Assess what is left. Depending on your time range assess as you go. Refer to your calendar where you wrote down your tasks. If you have days at the end of the day assess what is you got to and what is left. Make any adjustments you need. When it gets down to the last day check in more regularly throughout the day.

4. A secret to getting things done fast. Here I'm going to admit something you won't want to hear. When I'm on a deadline I ignore everything else. I have my family take care of my daughter when they can, I won't make a glamorous dinner (pasta night), I'll be so intrenched in working I'll forget to eat, and often find myself staying up till the AM rounding things up.

Listen, I don't recommend doing this all the time. Don't be a glutton for punishment. Plan ahead and do your tasks with more than enough time (Ha, this isn't a perfect world). When a short deadline pops up and it's something you can't say no to, do it. Realize it'll be a tough time, you have to really put your nose to paper/canvas and work like you are possessed.

When you've reached your deadline and you are done riding on adrenaline the most important part is next. REST. Give yourself time to recuperate. Slow down, spend time with your family you have ignored, go out and enjoy the weather, treat yourself, and sleep.