Recently I was coaching a new manager at a large corporation. The promotion was a big stretch and she was peddling hard to keep up. She and her husband were also parenting two pre-schoolers. She was alternately overwhelmed and excited. Toward the end of the session she wistfully added that it had been years since she had picked up her paintbrush. I understood her nostalgia. Flash back 15 years and that was me. I had a full-time job, I was working on my master’s degree and we were adjusting to our newly divorced family. I careened from one work project to another and one paper to another. There was barely time to feed my excellent children (they will tell you they fed themselves most of the time). There was no time for creative expression.
If this sounds familiar I extend the same words of comfort to you as I did to my young coaching client:
You can have it all…..eventually.
My wise friend, Janet, is fond of reassuring me that, “Life is long”. She doesn’t mean that I can squander my time unconsciously. She means to reassure me that there will be time for the important things. And I believe she is right.
Eventually, I did graduate and life settled down and now I have multiple creative pursuits. That young manager will return to her painting when her job is more familiar, when her children are older. Or she will find another outlet for her creativity.
I know this because it has been my privilege to find role models who are proofs of the concept. Diane Lou is one dear friend who is having the unexpected time of her life. On her blog she writes of her art and delight in learning new things.
So, please stop beating yourself up because you haven’t yet written that novel, started that blog, sewn that purse, finished that woodworking project, picked up your guitar…..
You WILL…or find something even better.
My parents were from the Old Country and devoutly religious. I was raised as a Roman Catholic and I still take opportunities to walk into a cathedral, listen to organ music and inhale the incense. Ahhh, I love the smell of Frankincense on a Feast Day. If pushed I can probably still recite the Ten Commandments. They serve as an important and enduring moral compass for a people.
(photo from mylittlepieceofcyberspace)
I like the idea of a set of Principles to guide behavior but I never liked all the ‘Thou SHALT NOTS’. So here is my own list of ‘THOU SHALTS” for my creative process.
I. I shall take my creativity seriously enough to fund it with time and money.
II. I shall seek out kindred spirits who can teach and support me.
III. I shall practice ‘respect for the newborn’ and give myself permission to be less than good as I begin a new activity.
IV. I shall cultivate habits that support my creativity.
V. I shall recognize that creating is not a linear process and appreciate that I may not always be in control.
VI. I shall enjoy myself as often as possible because happiness contributes to my creativity.
VII. I shall recognize that showing up is my work to do (not letting myself off with excuses that aren’t true).
VIII. I shall speak to myself as kindly as I would to a dear friend who is trying something new and unfamiliar.
IX. I shall allow myself to be inspired by other creative people knowing that there is an audience for everyone.
X. I shall stand in awe. Creativity is everyday. Creativity is divine.
Now, think about your own values around the Creative Process. What might be your Ten Commandments for Creating?
Dancing was an early love for me. I studied ballet, then tap and jazz, even baton twirling. For many years I made my living performing, teaching dance and choreographing. Then I ‘went corporate’ and mostly stopped dancing. Happily, in the last few years I have started moving again and especially love NIA classes. The movement is so free and expansive.
Imagine my disappointment then when I arrived at class this morning and a tiny woman walked in and announced she was our sub and we would not be doing NIA. Instead she would offer us a kind of ‘ballet barre’. Yuck. Ballet is tight, disciplined, serious. I almost left immediately as did two other women. But, dag nabbitt, I needed to work out and I reeeeelly hate the elliptical machine.
Sure enough, we did plies, tendues and other tight, controlled things. Every few minutes I thought about leaving. I haven’t done ballet in 20 years and I haven’t missed it. Hold yourself erect. Extend your arms. There is definitely a right way and a wrong way to do ballet.
Still, I stayed with it and my muscle memory responded. I used to love ballet. Performing those classic movements was nostalgic. Persisting with the class reminded me of the value of pushing through to greater skill. I was also reminded that sometimes we’re served exactly what is needed in the moment. I’ve been feeling a little untethered and the structure of the ballet steps had a grounding effect.
The discipline and structure is exactly what I need right now. To read more about the mind-body connection and how to use it for breakthrough performance, read this.
I grew up at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and trout fishing was a popular activity (not popular with me, mind you, although I do enjoy eating trout). There’s nothing yummier than fresh-caught trout fried over an open fire. Many in my family enjoy fishing and once we made it a part of a family reunion. My aunt’s ranch, south of Jackson, Wyoming, includes a little pond and stunning views of the Tetons. The pond didn’t have many fish so my aunt and uncle thoughtfully stocked the pond so that we could all enjoy fresh fried trout for dinner.
This week I was traveling for a little business and a lot of pleasure and it got me thinking about Stocking the Pond.
Deep Reflection
One morning of my trip I sat in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria hotel and spent two full hours making notes about my business:…ideas…next steps…lots of lists. The last time I meandered the hallways of my imagination like that was waaaay too long ago. That deep reflection was quite foreign. Usually, I’m just reacting. Sitting there in my comfy chair I was very patient and my Brain responded with some intriguing ideas that I hadn’t reached in my normal routine.
Stimulating the Imagination
The first night in the city I saw a cabaret show at the Algonquin Hotel and the next day I saw Blithe Spirit with Angela Lansbury. I visited the garment district–including Mood where Project Runway shops (!)–and I bought back issues of graphic design magazines at a shop across from Bryant Park. A poor understanding of the city’s address system took me the extra-long way to my intended address and I saw neighborhoods I’d never visited before. Aside from the design magazines none of these had any direct correlation to my work. Yet my Brain was firing with ideas triggered by the novelty I was encountering. “Ooh, I haven’t seen that before” said my head as I wakened her from the typical home patterns.
Overfishing Lowers Creativity
In a time of global overfishing I believe that we are also overfishing our own ponds. When was the last time you gave yourself the gift of empty space? If it’s been a long time I suggest you make a date with your Brain. Make it a surprise and don’t tell your Brain what you’ve got planned….otherwise she may try to break the date so that you can do something you should do. Take yourself someplace new. I recommend hotel lobbies, neighborhood libraries or, best of all, a coffee shop in another town. Bring a blank pad of paper and do some Deep Reflection. Take an hour. Take two! Then go for a walk on a street you don’t know. Notice what you notice. Notice what your Brain likes.
The next day you may find that dis-engaging from your routine, even for a few hours, has the net effect of greater productivity.
Oh wait. I think that’s what they used to call a ‘day off’.
Media Report on Creativity for Life. Practical Advice on the Artist’s Personality and Career from America’s Foremost Creativity Coach, by Eric Maisel, PhD.
Introduction
Maisel, a recognized authority in the field of creativity, is the author of more than twenty creativity books. This book is a holistic look at ‘lifelong creativity’. It is organized in four parts:
I. The Challenges of the Artistic Personality
II. The Challenges of the Work
III. The Challenges of Relationship
IV. Strategies and Tactics
Strengths
Maisel’s definition of creativity is one of the most useful I’ve seen: ‘People are artistically creative when they love what they are doing, know what they are doing, and actively engage in art-making. The three elements of creativity are thus loving, knowing, and doing; or heart, mind, and hands…’. Part Four is filled with thought-provoking lists for how to commit to your creativity practice. He uses many stories to illustrate his ideas and principles.
What Bugged Me
Mr. Maisel has a PhD but he plays it fast and loose with the research (there is none). Statements like, “But all creative people appear to be on the introverted side and as a rule prefer solitude to social interaction’ are made without any evidence. He goes on to link the introversion with poor social skills and the inability to form community: “we are struck by the fact that each artist will bring to the group his or her inability to relate.’ HUH?! I’m sure these things are true about some artists but Maisel seems to be stuck in the old paradigm of ‘creative people are tortured and weird’ and frequently cites Van Gogh as an example.
Bottom Line
This book is a deep dive on the creative process for artists. The earlier chapters focus on issues of Blockage and Resistance in useful ways. Maisel offers many options for understanding yourself if you feel bogged down in your creative work. The latter chapter on Transitions and Choices provides a thoughtful nine-step process to honor our creative selves and move toward a more creative life. He also includes an Artist’s Ten Commandments which may inspire you to write your set of Commandments.
The fundamental model is so simple and provides a great framework for understanding the nature of creativity. Do you love your creative work? Do you know how to do it? Are you actually creating?
Well, are you?
Monday morning I’m waking to the drone of the radio news when my attention suddenly sharpened. I heard the name of one of my clients. On NPR. There had been many rumors but this twist to the story was a surprise. Shareholders are happy and there are hard times ahead for the employees. (Raise your hand if you’ve ever been subjected to a merger or acquisition). These are the times for all men and women to come to the aid of–themselves.Last week a dear one was talking to me about the economy and that she was bracing herself for cutbacks. Revenues are down in her company and she can see the writing on the wall. I encouraged her not to offer herself up for a furlough yet (as appealing as that was). Instead I encouraged her to think creatively.
Right now organizations, yes, are cutting back, but they are also desperate for CREATIVE ideas that can GENERATE revenue.
The question is this: Are you an Idea Generator? Are you a Creative Problem Solver? If you’re on this website I am guessing your answers are ‘Yes’.
Here are some places to look for inspiration:
* Shamelessly lift an idea from another company–that means you need to talk to others in your industry, talk to others in your profession and read magazines (in addition to People magazine)
* What bugs you about your workplace? Do you have an idea for how to fix it? Can you find a sponsor with some power?
* Become an internal mercenary. Sell yourself and your skills to a new manager or department where they need something that you know how to do. If things look shaky where you are, go broker yourself to another part of the company where things look a little better.
* Know what’s hot in your market or field. Green? Natch. Generosity and philanthropy? Good. Combine things that people care about in their hearts with the other thing that people care about: profit.
There is a lot to be concerned about right now. But we learned back in the 1980s that there was no such thing as a job for life. I remember my mentor, Darrell Beck, telling me, “The only security you have is your own ability, Maggie.”
NOW is the time for all of you with creative abilities to start showing off.
A newly minted architect I know is working at a restaurant to make money. An artist in my circle is working as a counter person at a printing company to pay her bills. These young people are not feeling very creative on the job. They dream of pursuing their creative work but meanwhile…well, ya gotta eat. “That’s why they call it work” advises my dear friend, Janet.Some of you may not be working at NameTag Jobs. Some of you may be working at perfectly respectable jobs. And you’re still not doing what you want. At 32 when I surrendered my life in the theater to a job at the utility company (groan) I felt like a complete creative failure. But you know what? That job led me to a whole new career and work that I LOVE.
So as we march grimly to the jobs we don’t love let us take a moment and note the positive things about a J-O-B.
- Paycheck. We all need money to pay our obligations. It is good to get a paycheck every two weeks or every month. And it you’ve ever gotten in trouble for not paying your estimated taxes it is very nice to have taxes paid automatically through your employer’s payroll system. Believe it or not, when you are 65 years old you will be happy that you have paid into the social security system (assuming anything is left).
- Benefits. Until health care reform happens (please) we heap blessings on employers who provide health insurance. I was talking with a restaurant owner who agonized over this recently. She and her husband own a noted and successful restaurant but they are feeling the pinch in the economy and they considered elimintating health insurance for their staff. But she couldn’t do it. She knows her waitstaff and bartenders (loyal, loyal people) need it.
- Peers. Human beings are social animals and a community is as vital as a paycheck. Among your fellow workers are some real tools but every now and then you’ll meet someone worth knowing. Someone you will keep in your life longer than the sub-optimal job.
- Formal Development. Large corporations invest in their employees (do I sound like an HR person?). While you work at BigCorp it is a good idea to take advantage of anything that is remotelyconnected to your future goals.
- Deadlines. Working inside can help you practice working to a deadline. You can learn lessons about the value of structure.
- Credibility. Occasionally entrepreneurs have that whiff of Eau-de-Desperation about them. I’ve attended networking events and conferences as Owner of my own consulting firm and as Position-of-Influence at BigCorp. Somehow I had better conversations when I was internal.
- Resume Building. Future clients or employers will want to know that you’ve been doing something of worth with your time. They like to see that you have a work ethic. They will appreciate a track record.
- Learning on the Job. You are going to learn a lot while you work. You will have to play well with others. You will learn about politics and influence. You will learn what you like to do and what you don’t like to do. This helps you refine your future work life. Most of all you will learn about the kind of managers you want to avoid. [As a beloved professor once told us, "Everyone is serves a purpose. At the very least you can serve as a non-example."]
- Resilience. That which does not kill us makes us stronger. You will be better for it and develop some excellent coping skills that will serve you well in life. Even when you are doing your dream work there will still be times when you’ll need to dip into the well of persistence.
- Humanity. I do believe that everyone ought to work in a job they hate at some point in life. The depths make the high points that much sweeter. You will become more empathetic to the barrista that delivers your coffee when you are living large. You will be kinder to those who need support if you’ve been in their shoes.
News Flash: working long hours is not good for you. But you already knew that, right? Almost every time I run an Idea Camp the group chooses ‘Work/Life Balance’ as a practice challenge. Nobody thinks long work weeks are good for life balance. Now, it turns out, there are some other reasons to work differently.A new report, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found middle-aged workers clocking up more than 55 hours a week have poorer mental skills, including short-term memory and ability to recall words, than those working fewer than 41 hours. Extreme tiredness and stress could be as bad for the brain as smoking, according to the study.
The plot thickens. Not only is your brain fuzzier but you are increasing the chances for dementia. “The difference between employees working long hours and those working normal hours is similar in magnitude to that of smoking, a risk factor for dementia.” say the researchers.
As a person who plans to live a long and full life, I am definitely paying attention. But, what to do?
Here’s one idea: analyze your time and play to your strengths. Wondering how to do that? Look here. That’s one idea. But you’re a creative person….I bet you have an idea or two for how to spend your time more effectively.
