Often the challenge of creative individuals is finding that optimal state between dreaming and doing.
My last newsletter focused on Nick Bantock,a author of Griffin & Sabine and many other gorgeous books. You can read more of his story here. He is a Creative Producer with a truly solid background and I was intrigued with his routines. Several things stuck out for me:
1) At the end of each day he leaves something simple undone. The next morning when he entered his studio it is obvious and simple to get started.
2) He experimented with his physical space, finally arriving at a circular pattern of working. He literally walks around his piece, getting different perspectives. Since he started that pattern he has not gotten blocked.
3) Finally, he is organized and disciplined. Easy to say, harder to do…or maybe I am projecting….
Nick strives to make his art, his life seamless. That notion reminded Kath F. of this video (thanks Kath!):
Over the weekend I hosted the first Creativity Spa at the John Palmer House. Once again, I was touched by the power of a group to generate energy and inspiration for all the members. From the first hour, when participants introduced themselves and their creative aspiration to the final hour when they declared a specific action they would take we all traveled an intriguing journey together. The agenda included SoulCollage(TM) and peer coaching and, oh yes, yummy snacks and wine.
SoulCollage(TM) is a consistently effective tool for tapping your intuition and letting go of your logical, linear mind for a time. Images are a mainline to the psyche. Here are a few examples from my SoulCollage(tm) deck:
The cards are so versatile and provide a wonderful window to your creative self.
Thanks again to my beautiful Winter Spa participants. If you’d like to join the Spring Creativity Spa watch this space for dates.
I wish all of you the happiest of years in 2010. Let’s have fun, do some good and take notice more often.
Ta Ta 2009
Last night we said adieu to the passing year with a yummy meal at Ned Ludd and dancing with the Fun Gals. That’s right, 80′s dancing at the Wonder Ballroom. Oh, I did love the 80′s (thanks for the disco beret K!). We walked home under a lush, full moon (a blue moon–very auspicious) and I was happy.
If you haven’t appreciated the past year I encourage you to take a couple of minutes. Good work to do.
Begin as You Mean to Go
By now you may have a good idea of what you most would like to see come true in 2010. I recommend beginning this first day with a literal or symbolic step toward each goal. For instance:
if you want to watch less TV–watch less TV
if you want to spend more time with friends and family, go spend some time with some dear
if you want world peace, say a prayer and make a contribution
if you want to be healthier take a short walk
if you want to be more organized, clean a drawer or recycle some files
if you want to draw more make a tiny drawing or order some yummy art supplies
Explore how you can fit a tiny step of each of your top ten into this day. It is a powerful gesture.
And now, I’m off to make some Hoppin’ John for good luck.
Despite the frigid temperatures (Really? Why is Portland, Oregon below freezing in the daytime??) this is one of my favorite times of year. Why?
Yuletide Traditions
Obviously, the Yuletide jolliness is enjoyable. Over the years I have learned to pace myself. The pacing began in my twenties when my poor husband begged me not to make all the gifts. Because I became a CRAZY Woman, embroidering and assembling until we left for Grandma’s house. Now I am more circumspect. What gets done gets done. If packages are late arriving to my family in Europe they will not die. They’ll have something to open during the post-holiday letdown!
Winter Stillness
This time of year is about patience. When I was a girl we lit an Advent wreath nightly and anticipated the birth of Baby Jesus. Today I still light Advent candles (so nostalgic) and I await the Return of the Light. December 21st, when the days begin to lengthen I am happy-wappy because I won’t feel like hibernating. Meanwhile, the cold, dark evenings slow me down.
Creative Planning
Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living. -Anais Nin
Above all, my excitement builds all month as I initiate my annual strategic planning. I know strategic planning can be a BIG DRAG. It can also be really thought-provoking. I enjoy facilitating strategic planning offsites because they ARE difficult. But personal strategic planning is FUN.
Every year I make a personal plan and it’s amazing to me how many of my goals come through. Despite the fact that I am not a methodical person I get a lot done. So it’s always important to seed the brain and guide it in the desired direction.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be describing my process. I invite you to come along….
Employee Engagement has become a buzzword in today’s organizations. What keeps people engaged in their work? How do we get employees to apply their ‘discretionary effort’ on behalf of the company? It’s got me thinking about Employee Disengagement as one way to heighten engagement.
I began my corporate career as an Employee Health Coordinator. It was the 80s and their was a lot of support for wellness and fitness programs. As it turned out most of my clients were those who were already well and fit but in receptive spots we had fun implementing new programs.
One memorable program had an entire department committed to taking little stretch breaks three times a day. Once in the morning and twice in the afternoon they would all stand up and do some reaches and stretches together. They laughed and, goofy as it was, they enjoyed the break from their terminals.
Just last week I spent a few days in Marrakech. What a stimulating city! There was so much to take in and the very scent of the air was spicy. Most notable to me were the calls to prayer. Several times a shopkeeper or guide excused himself and said he’d return in 5 minutes. He would then slip off to the nearby mosque or join others in a central area to focus and pray. Lovely.
Whether you work from home or in a cube it is easy to stay tethered to your work. And I’m all for focus and concentration. But there is a diminishing return.
So, this week I am practicing DISENGAGEMENT.
Every two hours or less I am stepping away from the computer and doing some office stretches. Or lying on the grass and contemplating the clouds. Or petting my dog. Anything that resets my brain and gives me perspective. Because I can return to my tasks with oxygen in my brain and a little less cortisol in my system.
Today I am delivering a program in Chicago and the air has a hint of autumn. You know that fresh, crisp air that signals the coming season?
I am also designing my AUTUMN CREATIVITY SPA. What’s this you say? Just a day-and-a-half of time for your creative self!
We’ll start Friday afternoon with a little exfoliation and shedding of the current cares.
Then we’ll peel away a few layers and get to what’s most meaningful just now for you.
Then we’ll nourish and restore your natural glow.
We’ll finish with a little gilding of the lily that is you.
You can expect: a potpourri of activities to delight you, support from kindred spirits and your own swag bag. By Saturday night you’ll feel refreshed and energized.
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.
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?
The authors of Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience suggest an exercise of taking a Daily Vacation Exercise.
