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Why Do YOU Create? Finding Your North Star Motivation

By Dan Goodwin

Everything we do in our creative lives is motivated by something or other. Without any motivation of any kind, we would simply not exist. Even when we are not creating, it is likely because the motivation to NOT create is stronger than the motivation TO create.

There are essentially two kinds of motivation. “Towards motivation” is positive and is when we move towards some form of pleasure and fulfillment. The opposite is “Away Motivation”, when we move away from a source of pain or discomfort.

Most creative people tend to experience a combination of motivations, essentially the reasons why they create (and why they don’t create). This combination can include a number of both “away” and “towards” motivations.

However, there also usually tends to be one overriding ultimate motivation — our guiding light, our North Star — that keeps us focused on moving along the creative paths that bring us most enjoyment, fulfillment and peace.

By finding our North Star and always keeping it in sight, everything we create moves us in one unified direction, the direction that serves our lives and our creativity best.

Here are some possible North Star Motivations, see which ones resonate most strongly for you:

North Star Motivations: Why do YOU Create?

1. To understand yourself better. Each piece you create helps you to know yourself and understand yourself a little better, and get closer to being your true self, being contented and happy. Sometimes it’s only through the physical experience of creating we can reach this.
   
   
2. To connect with others. Whether it’s directly connecting with others in a form such as dancing or acting, or through a more passive form such as release a record or publishing a book, the urge to share and connect with other people like us can be a huge motivating force.
   
   
3. To find a sense of peace. Sometimes it feels like there’s no option other than to create, and to offload all the ideas, emotions and creative energy we have inside and bring ourselves a kind of calm and peace. It’s the main reason why journaling (and its Internet cousin blogging) are on such an increase.
   
   
4. To feel valued. Creating, and having people appreciate your work and let you know its positive effect on their lives, enables you to feel more valued and that your work — and your creative life — is worthwhile and has a purpose.
   
   
5. To relax and unwind. One of the most natural and readily available ways to relax is to simply create in a spontaneous and free flowing way, which can only have positive benefits for your health and creative life. This type of creating is all about the enjoyment and the letting go, and rarely concerned with any end “product”.
   
   
6. To make the world a better place. You don’t have to be a politician or campaigner to change the world. Everything we create and share has the potential to touch and inspire people, and by creating in your unique way you can make the world around you a better place.
   
   
7. Because you know no other way. Creating is simply what you do and who you are. It’s a core part of your personality and make up, as essential as breathing, eating and sleeping, and like those things, something you must do regularly to survive.

It’s likely your creativity has been motivated by many of these at some stage, and by any number of other motivations. Remember though that finding and understanding your major overriding North Star motivation, the ultimate reason why you create, will help you stay true to yourself in everything you create, and bring you most enjoyment and fulfillment in your creative life. •

© Copyright 2006 Dan Goodwin

About the Author | More by Dan Goodwin
Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin is the author of “Create Create!”, a FREE twice monthly ezine for people who want simple and powerful articles, tips and exercises to help them unleash their creative talents. Sign up right now and get your FREE “Explode Your Creativity!” Action Workbook, at www.CoachCreative.com.

09/12/06