Contributed by Laura Rios.

Initiative: the ability to assess and initiate things independently. (Oxford Dictionary)

Ah, the ongoing struggle of anyone who works alone or pursues any creative endeavor. Make no mistake my friends, the struggle is real. Everyone has heard of writers’ block and the proverbial “dry spell”; they became stereotypical terms for a reason. We’ve all been there! So, how can we stay on track and productive without a supervisor, or assignments, or other external constructs designed to keep us moving forward?

One thing we can do is to establish that mindset for ourselves.

• Use a daily or weekly calendar or journal to assign tasks on a regular basis. If that alone is not enough to get you going, add rewards along the way to sweeten the deal. “Finish chapter one” or “start the sweater for Aunt Jane’s birthday” might earn you a chocolate bar, a spa bath, or some television time with your favorite show.
• Recruit a productivity pal so you can keep one another on task. Midweek, make a point of checking in on one another to see how things are going. Peer pressure is an actual thing, and besides, there is nothing like a gentle nudge from your bestie.
• Join a group of other creative types and meet weekly or bi-weekly, even if it’s a virtual group. If you can’t find such a group, form one yourself by drawing from your circle of acquaintances, which might include co-workers, neighbors, friends from church, other clubs or societies, and so on. You’ll find encouragement and motivation when you surround yourself with like-minded people who appreciate what you’re doing and who will celebrate one another’s accomplishments.
• Follow a Facebook group, newsletter, or blog that focuses on your particular creative interest. There are dozens (maybe hundreds!) of such entities. You do have to be a little careful with this one; joining and following too many may backfire when you allow them to occupy too much of your time. Still, there are plenty of benefits to finding a few excellent ones that truly prove to keep you inspired and motivated.
• Start and maintain an idea list. I used to keep a small pocket notebook nearby for this purpose, but for years now the Notes app in my phone has been the handiest thing for recording those random “aha moments”. When you find yourself coming up empty, choose something from your idea list and get back to creating once again.

Remember, in any creative pursuit, ultimately it’s up to us to be self-starters. That doesn’t mean we can’t benefit from helpful tips, tricks, and a little help from our friends to maintain our own initiative when the going gets rough. Keep calm and create!