I’ve been working through a book titled Coaching the Artist Within by Eric Maisel.  I have had time to reflect on what I have read and one of the statements that has stuck with me is “You must be able to create in the middle of things or you will not create.” 

When I read this I immediately thought of the Saturday Night Live character Roseanne Roseannadanna’s lament:”it’s always something if it’s not one thing it’s another”.  So if it’s always something how do you keep creating?     Here are a few steps I’ve taken to keep creating in the midst of the stress of living in a recession, the never ending stream of paperwork, sales and marketing tasks and other activities that are part of living day to day.

• I have found that if I take a broader view of creativity, my perspective changes. For example when I look at marketing as a form of creative expression instead of as task, my perspective changes, my thinking is freer, and ideas flow more easily.
• I’ve started to set priorities and a schedule for each week. This keeps me from spending too much time on admin tasks. It finally occurred to me that since the paper never ends, I can set a time limit, do as much as I can and get back to creating! I also find that setting a plan and having a structure gives me more freedom. I resisted this idea for a long time because I thought this approach would be more restrictive.
• I carry a small notebook with me wherever I go. This is place to record my observations, sketch new ideas and record any ideas for blog posts, marketing pieces or any other changes I’d like to make.
• If I start to feel overwhelmed or discouraged. I stop take a deep breath and take note of at least 10 things that I’m grateful for. This shifts my perspective and helps me to center myself, get unstuck and move forward.
• When I develop a new item for my line of glass jewelry and gifts I have an idea of where I want to head, but I don’t attach myself to a particular outcome. This no expectations approach keeps me open to how I can turn an unexpected surprise into a new product, improve my technique or set something aside and move on.

March 19th, 2009 | Category: Creative Exploration | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL