When you want to work but can’t seem to start episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 23, 2026 · 18 MIN

When you want to work but can’t seem to start

from The Good Ship Illustration · host The Good Ship Illustration

Ahhh this ol' chestnut. You know it. We've aaall been there. You sit down...you need to work. But you get absolutely nowt done. Instead, you do absolutely everything else... then panic-work at the last minute, or just never get round to it.You're not alone! Most illustrators we speak to will have their own weird and wonderful tricks to get into work mode.In this episode, we talk about fear, procrastination, perfectionism, and all the daft (+ useful) ways we trick ourselves into starting anyhoo.Rough timestamps for our timestamp-fans:00:00 – Bribery02:00 – Fear & perfectionism03:00 – The 20-minute rule04:00 – Drip drip drip05:00 – Warming up still counts!06:30 – Calling it “the bad version”07:30 – Drafts & sleeping on it08:30 – Why big projects feel terrifying09:30 – HAVE FUN OR ELSE11:00 – Tell the logical bit of your brain to shhhhh12:30 – Tricks for focus that work14:00 – You like drawing, remember? 😅15:00 – Keeping the life in your work16:30 – Spread yourself aboot (don't put too much pressure on one bit of work)17:30 – Your tricks - please share what helps YOU! We are nosy. We want to hear what helps you concentrate and get some creative work done.Byeeee for now!x The Good Ship Illustration (Helen, Katie & Tania) 🚢✨Come and say hello! ✏️ @thegoodshipillustration🌏 www.thegoodshipillustration.comp.s. We love answering your illustration questions. Click here to submit your question for The Good Ship Illustration Podcast 🎙

Ahhh this ol' chestnut. You know it. We've aaall been there. You sit down...you need to work. But you get absolutely nowt done. Instead, you do absolutely everything else... then panic-work at the last minute, or just never get round to it. You're not alone! Most illustrators we speak to will have their own weird and wonderful tricks to get into work mode. In this episode, we talk about fear, procrastination, perfectionism, and all the daft (+ useful) ways we trick ourselves into starti...

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When you want to work but can’t seem to start

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This episode was published on January 23, 2026.

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Ahhh this ol' chestnut. You know it. We've aaall been there. You sit down...you need to work. But you get absolutely nowt done. Instead, you do absolutely everything else... then panic-work at the last minute, or just never get round to it.You're...

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