Creative Katrina

Photo by Mydass

With just about a month left in 2011, people are all a flurry making holiday plans, buying gifts and finishing up year end projects. It’s the proverbial “crunch time” — busting ass to fit in every possible thing you pledged with your heart and soul to do before year end, but some how fell to the wayside. Creative mojo is replaced with a sense of obligation, and attitudes quickly shift to grouchy, irritated and rushed.
 
Throw in family obligations, year end commitments and the looming thoughts of how to plan for the best year EVAH next year, and no wonder people go a bit batty.

Pressure! But where is the pressure really coming from?

Personal expectations, internal judgments and comparing ourselves to others. The should, could and didn’t (s) all pile on, pushing you into over drive, triggering old fears of not being enough, right now. And these thought patterns are not something you picked up last week, they are life long ways of thinking and being. With each coming year there’s pressure to outdo ourselves in a way that is better, more spectacular and amazing than ever before.

And these long-term, out dated ideas play out time and time again – UNTIL you notice the cycle.

The reality is, you need to get a handle on what works for you now, at this point in your life, in this moment. If you are spending time “wishing” things were and could be different, you are squelching creativity at its very source. You are denying the very mother of invention – NECESSITY! It’s the ability and desire for change that is the true inspiration for creativity in the first place.

I think the bravest thing anyone can do is look at their business and themselves with complete honesty and decide to make a change. Is it simple? Maybe. Could also be the most terrifying, gut-wrenching, ball busting thing you ever do. But if you aren’t willing to change the game, what do you really have left worth living for anyway?

The idea of the perfect “whatever” doesn’t exist in the way you expect because that would be predicting the future. The beauty is in being present, open and embracing what’s true in the moment, no “stories” attached, and transforming it into something amazing – in real time.

So if you really want inspiring, creative, on-fire mojo for next year, be willing to be vulnerable. Change your attitude. Open up. Let go. Surrender those ideas that drag behind you like stones, rolling over and crushing the green buds of new ideas in it’s wake. Give yourself the freedom to change, and your creative fire will walk up to greet you.

Photo by dprevite on Flickr

Just as so many others have declared before this post, I’m going to affirm yet again that we live in a busy world that is face-paced and dense with information overload. And yes, I’m well aware that I’m stating the obvious.

But as the world continues to whiz on by and change at hyper-speed, we form habits to deal with all the “noise.” Some of us need a routine to help keep us on track, others just become complacent in the barrage of input, and choose to hollow out a niche where we feel comfortable. Although it feels safe, it can also keep us from challenging ourselves and growing personally and professionally.

When you really think about it, what is the difference between showing up in a consistent way, and becoming complacent by ALWAYS showing up in the same way? Hmmm…

Bring it to the Mat, Baby

I took a new yoga class this week (yay for me!), and I was inspired by the instructor’s perspective on consistency. It turned out to be a fast-paced, more aerobic-type yoga class, and she needed to school us class newbies on one thing – to be consistent in our breath and effort. She guided us to show up for every pose with the same energy, persistence and determination, whether it was our favorite pose or something we felt was simply impossible to manage. As we flung our arms and legs about with an increasing intensity in the second half of class, she continued to bring us back to that same simple point – are you ready and willing to show up with the same care and intensity for the next pose?

The instructor’s simple insight reminded me of how people often forget the act of consistency in their daily lives. By doing your best to show up in a strong, positive way even when things are hardest, is what builds character and inspires growth in all areas of life.

The only difference is that in yoga it’s only you and the mat – so there IS no where else to go but within and show up for yourself. It strips away the ability to point the finger or make excuses, or distract yourself from showing up truthfully, facades stripped away.
 
When Comfy Equals Consistency

Now on the flip side, there are many people who get into a consistent routine and let it take over for months on end. This set way of doing things does not inspire them to grow and they cling to the routine to feel good, as fear of change creeps in along the sides of their life. Soon they do nothing but focus on the routine, because changing the game at this point feels too risky. If this all sounds familiar, it may mean you’ve entered the “comfy trap.”

When things feel too safe and predictable, it may be time to reevaluate. Are you really happy? Is there something missing from your life that could make you happier? Are you just afraid to rock the boat and try something new? It happens to us all – we get in a rut for any number of reasons. We make excuses to ourselves and for ourselves as to why action is not right at this time, but being aware is the first step to shifting it.

Now don’t confuse being comfy or stuck with creating a routine. A routine is a helpful tool to keep you on track and make sure there are important core, self-care things in your life to keep you grounded and feeling mentally clear. Routines are also good for things you NEED to do, but don’t particularly enjoy, because it provides a way for you to mentally commit to getting them done with consistency.

At the end of the day, you are only really accountable for yourself and to yourself. Unless, of course, you have children. In that case you need to feed and water them – oh wait…that’s plants! But you get the idea.

You can’t fight the inevitable, and change is really the only constant you can count on. Show up to your own “yoga mat” ready to take on what you can, confident you are willing to give all aspects of your life the same energy, space and awareness.

Photo by AlicePopkorn

What truly moves you at your core? This simple question stirs up a range of layers and answers so dynamic, unique and inspiring, it’s possibly one of the most loaded questions a person can contemplate. But when you truly feel it in your soul, the experience of it beelines you to the heart of what makes you tick, acting as a window to directly connect you with your creative source. It’s an amazing thing to witness in yourself or others, and the end destination is always a surprise.

I can instantly dig in deep creatively through music. It’s raw connection gets me inspired in seconds. The words, a beat, a melody –they all work for different reasons. I fall in love with a certain song for a week and then it fades away, almost as if it has served its purpose and I’ve learned and grown. I’m partial to acoustic guitar, mandolin and unique voices of both sexes, as much as I get drawn instantly into the flow of Trance and Electronica or fall into the nostalgia of Classic Rock.

As a writer I drift towards lyrics with meaning as much as I connect with silly, pointless rhymes that get me giggling. I see the words as tool for healing, learning, laughing, sharing and connecting to others as much as the individual parts of myself– and the lyrics show up how I need them to in the moment. Paired with music, they create a unique expression that fills my soul in a way that just doesn’t measure up when I experience them independently.

The most inspiring element of the music for me is the crescendo, no matter the genre of music. As I follow the slow build up, connect to the intense feeling and pounding of the beat, jump inside the intensity of the wave of notes crashing down, I feel it in my core. It’s part of me for that moment – it fills my cells and helps me forget every last thought in my mind. I release everything and remain riveted in the present moment – feeling, connecting and showing up as a free soul.

We all need more moments of intense passion, creative inspiration and divine connection in our lives. Find out what gets you there and do it often. You will see how this consistent connection begins to reshape how you look at all elements of your life, and how easily you can celebrate the beauty of the fleeting present moment.

Photo by NortoriousJEN on Flickr

The holidays are gone and you are once again alone with your thoughts. Are you racing to start a million new projects? Tweeting your heart out? Or have your copious 2011 goals combusted into oblivion already? Maybe you are stalled at the starting gate as your ideas run amok like M&M’s on crack?

What ever your reasons (or excuses), I think one very important thing is usually missing in people’s big ol’ life plans – daily fun.

Sure, you can write all about that amazing fantasy trip you want to take some day in your notebook. Maybe you will actually take it when all the details are in order and the wind is blowing out of the northeast at 10 miles per hour. OR you can think of ways to build fun into your life every day.

Bite Size Fun Resets the Creativity Button

Find a way to enjoy that cup of coffee sans whining from anyone, or a day free of scooping the litter box. Maybe even a nice walk, with no purpose other than to wander around and look at the beauty that surrounds you. Perhaps wallowing in raunchy trash television while jamming your stomach full of cupcakes is more your idea of indulgence. Whatever works! I don’t judge! Just honor yourself enough to actually THINK about what would be fun, responsibilities be damned. Then sprinkle in a little in each day. Well, everything but the glutenous eating of cupcakes anyway.

I encourage you all to do this because I am in rehab myself. Creativity is part of my work and I love using it to enhance my business and help my clients and friends. Its fun and rewarding to be able to use your passion to help others. But the tank has to get refilled, too. Without a way to pause and get re-inspired, I am no good to my clients or effectively supporting my creative soul.

Leave Room For the Dance Party

That is why having fun is one of my main priorities this year. And yes, that might sound like a goal in terms of how its worded, but what I mean is I am READY to leave more of the business of business behind to open up to a more well-rounded life. Fun can’t fit if its just getting pushed up against the door of a stuffed closet.

And as I was thinking of what I want more of in my life, the conga line seemed like perfect illustration. They are fun and silly, but the best part is that you aren’t sure what or who you are going to get hooked up with in the moment. It a chance affair that can lead to surprise and requires minimal commitment and no planning. Sounds pretty kickass to me!