The creative process often feels rushed—society pushes us for immediate results. But creativity, like gardening, requires patience. You can’t plant seeds today and expect a harvest tomorrow.

Changemakers* face pressure to do more with less and find creative solutions quickly. However, creativity doesn’t work on demand—it follows its own rhythms, needing time and nurturing. Without proper support, it’s easy to feel stuck or lose momentum.

Recognise your season of life

If you have young children or caring responsibilities, you might not have the time or energy to focus on your creative priorities. Be kind to yourself and break down your goals into smaller chunks.

Similarly, if you’re overwhelmed at work, taking time out to focus on a big project can feel bold, but it may be the most important choice you make.

The garden of creativity

Consider your creative journey like planting a garden. Some days, you plant seeds by gathering ideas, sketching plans, or learning. Other days, it feels like nothing’s happening, but beneath the surface, roots are forming.

In my current season of life, I’m between homes, and my plants are with friends. I miss those mindful moments of tending to them, which always helped unlock creative solutions. As a replacement, I’ve taken up collaging!

Patience and gentle accountability

Long-term creative growth requires patience and a supportive community. Just as gardeners wait for seeds to sprout, you need time for your ideas to bloom. Accountability partners can help keep you on track, especially when progress isn’t visible.

Show up, but stop trying so hard

When we embrace the natural rhythms of creativity and stop pushing for immediate results, we create space for deeper, more meaningful growth. By nurturing our ideas and giving them time to develop, we lay the foundation for a vibrant creative harvest. With the right structure and feedback, those ideas continue to grow—even when it feels like nothing is happening.

Let’s grow together

What creative seeds are you planting? Do you have the support and accountability to nurture them? If you want help focusing on and finishing a project, enrol in Wonder Lab, our ten-week group coaching programme for changemakers with a work project or a personal creative priority to focus on - and finish - without burning out. Let’s grow together and set your ideas up for long-term success.

*Changemaker (n): Someone who works to improve their environment and society by identifying problems and taking creative action to solve them.

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