Wandering is a Creative Practice and a Discipline

The phrase - wandering is a creative practice and a discipline - might make some people itchy, uncomfortable, or downright irritated.  I can already hear two camps in my mind; the folks who think it makes total sense, and others who are scrunching up their faces and thinking ... say what? How does that even work? Well, I used to be primarily in the camp of “say what?” Not because I didn’t understand the concept from a literal point of view, but because I simply had never … [Read more...]

Breaking Ties With Storylines You Thought You Needed to Finish

Can you tell when it’s time to start breaking ties with storylines you thought you needed to finish?  It’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately.  Like so many others, I had a creative vision and direction locked in my mind for 2020 - with an execution strategy to match. There was definitely flexibility and wiggle room to make shifts and changes on the fly, but I was not prepared for a “full stop”, prolonged break from in-person connection. I also wasn’t ready to … [Read more...]

Are you Acting Against Your Own Best Interests and Creative Desires?

Can you tell when you are acting against your own best interests and creative desires? I’m going to take a gamble and answer for you - most of the time you probably have no idea. At least not until things get REALLY uncomfortable or challenging on a personal level.  Of course you don’t do this intentionally. Your personal value system, experiences, and upbringing all inform your actions. Add in underlying fears, traumas as well as the impact of life-changing disappointments, … [Read more...]

Connection, Flexibility and Openness Help Create the Future You Actually Want

In some ways it goes against all of our instincts to allow connection, flexibility and openness drive the direction of your life overall. Where is the gumption? What about taking charge and stepping up? What about producing “something of value” so you can be seen as a useful member of society? And don’t forget the to-do list that helps keep you always moving forward and onto the next goal. You know - some of the hallmarks of “making something of yourself” and constantly expanding. Well, those … [Read more...]

Can You See, Own, and Appreciate the True You As You Transform?

  We are all in the middle of changes that have no timeline or clear outline, so how will it all define the true you as you transform?   Wow...now that’s a way to begin a blog post!   Joking aside, in some way or another we are each being asked to dig deep internally to connect with what’s true for us now, and transform externally by being flexible without forcing personal expectations. This push/pull energy is intense, and in many ways is the “face” of 2020. No … [Read more...]

Tap Into Your Core Creative Essentials to Thrive in Place

  When was the last time you made the effort to tap into your core creative essentials - the things you as a unique human being need to support your creativity, mindset, physical health, attitude and overall well-being?   Has it been a couple of months? Years? Never?   Maybe reviewing your core creative essentials is “top of mind” right now as you learn to navigate life as an individual, couple, family, creative, or business owner exclusively from home. Or you could … [Read more...]

Catching and Transforming Sneaky Habits that Silently Sabotage Creative Progress

  Raise your hand if self-doubt, fear, or outdated habits sometimes sneak in to sabotage creative progress in any area of your life.   [Pauses to raise hand, and gently returns it to the keyboard.]   As entrepreneurs and creatives we all work through various layers of naggy little self-doubt buggers along our self-growth journey. We are trying to put ourselves out there, clarify our voice and vision, and “do all the right things” to build success through our … [Read more...]

Are you Pushing a Specific Creative Agenda and Ignoring the Insight of the Moment?

  It’s nice to have plans and a clear creative agenda. It’s even more awesome when plans work out exactly as envisioned, and all the hard work and effort you invest pays off.   Then life happens. It lets you know in no uncertain terms that a key element of the creative process is being in the now - being in the true flow of life and creating in tandem with it. The ability to be flexible and open is a beautiful part of the way we all create because it invites us to explore and … [Read more...]

Integrating Gut Feelings With Practical Creative Strategies

  Any artist, creative, or entrepreneur knows gut feelings are one way you connect to the heart of inspiration, yet there's an equally invaluable piece that can get overlooked in the initial inspirational glow - practical creative strategies.   The rush of excitement that comes from an idea that pops into the mind out of nowhere but FEELS SO RIGHT is unlike anything else in the world. It’s serves as clear inner confirmation that you are a talented, creative, powerful creative … [Read more...]

Creative Friction Is The Gift You Never Knew You Wanted

  Yes, you are reading this correctly - creative friction is the gift you never knew you wanted.   I could give a speech about how every great writer, artist, and entrepreneur faces challenges or obstacles they need to overcome, but we’ve heard that one a million times. I can also share insights on the hero’s journey and the essential role it holds in making us the fully baked humans we are meant to be, but tons of other folks have already done it.   I want to … [Read more...]