Last week I talked about The Artist Way. As one part of The Artist’s Way exercises that I use to stay so creative and productive all the time is Journaling.

It’s a pretty simple tool. I’ve been journaling pretty much every morning now for … I don’t know …. maybe ten years now. In that time I have written countless blog posts, newsletters for subscriber lists, sales letters and other marketing materials for my music business. I also use it to stay fresh on stage with my improv comedy. But I am constantly writing songs, lyrics, piano pieces, for my CDs and for other artists, podcasts, plays, stories …. I mean the list goes on and on. It seems to be a never ending font of available source of creative energy.

I credit it, in major part to, writing in my journal everyday.

I think of it as ‘cleaning the pipes’, if you will. A data dump from the chatter of useless thoughts that get in the way when I am trying to write for a deadline for a corporate event or for an advertising piece.

What I do, what is suggested in Julia Cameron seminal book, The Artist’s Way, is to write 3 pages long hand in a notebook every morning right after waking up. Boom.

I can write about anything. I can write jibberish. Mukka Lukkah Whukkah Bukkah Blabber Dab fest swing set.

I can complain. “Oh my horrible hang nail.” “I need a haircut.” “When am I gonna get a new car?” Anything.

It can be dreams. Ambitions. Goals.

It can be Mantras or prayers. Or affirmations.

I think of it as transmitting to the universe. Clearing the way to work things out that I am thinking about.

Everyone talks about being positive all the time. I find that next too impossible. Sometimes I need to whine a little bit. The daily journal is a good place to do it. Plus, once I got into the routine of constantly writing every morning, I found that on the days that I didn’t get to it, I really missed it. So I would do it in the afternoon when I got a break.

It is suggested to get a notebook. But sometimes I write on my lap top or on my ipad if that’s what I have available. But its not the same. I can tell by my hand writing what kind of mood I am in or what I am feeling even if the words don’t exactly communicate it all.

I know some folks keep a really nice journal book. They maybe have a nice leather bound cover that they swap out new notebooks in as they get filled up. I like to go with the Standard College Ruled 1 Subject Notebook. Spiral bound.

Sometimes I splurge a little on nice pencils. But I prefer the mechanical pencils with the .09 lead. I press down on the page pretty hard some mornings when I get going and I’m in my zone. I like the different colors and feel of the pencils in my hand. I’ll put a link at the bottom of this page so you can see what I’m talking about.

So look at this book by Julia Cameron if you want to develop your creativity. It is excellent. It’s not just for musicians or artists necessarily. She talks in the book about people from every different occupation benefiting from these activities. Anyone can use them to enhance their creativity. Try it. I’ve had mind boggling good results. You will too.

Oh … BTW … this is an affiliate link. When you get your book through this link, I do get a small percentage. It won’t cost you anything extra. And since it is through Amazon, you can donate a portion of your sale price to go to a charity of your choice. Pretty cool if you ask me.

TheArtist’sWayByJuliaCameron

MechanicalPencils.09Lead

CollegeRuledNotebook

LeatherCoveredJournal

To learn more about how I can provide unique and memorable music and comedy at your event, call Amber at (773) 527-7417.

Check out some of my other projects.