Art is high cost and low benefit (at least at first)

“The majority of tasks we procrastinate on are usually high in immediate costs but low in immediate benefits, thus making them unattractive in the short run.”
–Kristen Berman, in this article

I don’t think there’s a better quote that describes why we procrastinate on our art. 

The immediate costs to creating art are high. We have to get our materials ready. We have to find inspiration. We have to face our fears and silence the invisible audience. We have to find a quiet space and time to focus. We have to say no to hundreds of easy, leisurely options. 

The immediate benefits to creating art are low. We quickly realize our skills are rusty. We see our work isn’t good. We share our work, and it gets two like (one from Mom). We hear the nasty voices of the invisible audience get louder and louder, telling us that we’re wasting our time.

This is why committing to a short-term creative challenge is the recipe that solves this problem. It gets us to commit to the work just long enough for it to mean something, but not too long that we fall into despair. The consistency helps us find rhythm and flow-state. The light at the end of the tunnel helps us overcome the immediate costs. The definite end date gives us space to reflect on the benefits that came to us, even if we didn’t see them at first. 

Eventually, if you stick with your art, and create every day, you’ll spend a sizable portion of your life in a flow-state—creating work that impacts people. 

P.S. This is exactly the process we follow in the 15-Day Creative Consistency Challenge—except the daily lessons and the supportive group make your success all the more likely. If you’re interested in creating more art in 2025, join the waitlist for the Challenge here.