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...]
Integrating Gut Feelings With Practical Creative Strategies
January 6, 2020 By Leave a Comment
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
November 5, 2019 By 1 Comment
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...]
Ways to Establish Inner Balance During Creative Crunch Time
August 5, 2019 By Leave a Comment
Stress is part of life, but often much more noticeable during creative crunch time. Sensations related to the bubbling up of stress are easy to ignore. We have TV and social media to help distract us, while a few drinks or a good meal also does the trick. These habits help take our mind off of focusing on all the little to-do’s and help us recharge for a bit. Yet, ultimately, they don’t address the most important element - how we cope with stress in the day to … [Read more...]
Taking External Action is Only One Part of the Creative Equation
February 4, 2019 By Leave a Comment
It’s easy to focus on taking external action as the most important part of creative expression. Our culture puts a lot of emphasis on getting moving, crossing things off the list, clearing, building, growing and having something to show for our time and efforts. The actions we take also give us a feeling of purpose and worthiness, especially when we share details in conversation with others or on social media. So when we are in a creative action lull, or more … [Read more...]
Fine Tune Observation Skills to Fire Up Creativity
January 9, 2019 By Leave a Comment
There’s something to be said for amping up quiet observation skills. To actively listen to what’s just beneath the surface, or feel into the vibe of the room or situation before even one word is spoken. Call it “spidey sense”, intuition, or gut feeling, all of these factors tie into how you observe, what you “hear”, how you relate, and subsequently, create. The way you listen also changes with each experience. What you learned, how you may or may not have gotten burned, and a little sprinkle … [Read more...]
Grieve and Make Peace Before Creating a Fresh Path
November 7, 2018 By Leave a Comment
There’s something to be said for going all in on creating a fresh path. It feels good to leave the old behind and forget how much it sucked or hurt us. To leave things we know won’t work on the side of the road for the trash collector, or to burn in a ring of fire, as Johnny Cash would croon. A catharsis point like the need to begin again can feel like it’s going to make everything better and stronger. And it can. It can also be a distraction from seeing, grieving, and … [Read more...]
Why Practicing Creative Discernment is Essential for Everyone
October 1, 2018 By Leave a Comment
There is an art to practicing creative discernment, or in other words, your personal ability to sense if something is in alignment with you and the deepest expression of your creative truth. And right now you might be asking yourself, why is creative discernment important if I already create from my heart and go for what I want? You might also say, does this matter if I don’t really see myself as “creative”? My answer is yes, it matters, and here’s the core … [Read more...]
Using Resistance as a Creative Navigation Tool
September 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment
It’s easy to notice resistance energy. Resistance energy is uncomfortable. Sticky. Unpleasant. Cumbersome. Like you are pushing against the tide and giving it all you’ve got. It can also show up as a sense of not knowing what to do next once creative efforts or “money moves” aren’t catching fire as expected. What’s NOT so easy to notice is a path to understanding and dismantling resistance into its core parts, so you can leverage it as a … [Read more...]
Courage to Create Anew
July 31, 2018 By Leave a Comment
There are times when no matter how much we try to piece things together as they are and "make it work", the time has come to create anew. To ask deeper questions. To actively honor intuitive hits and the way we really feel deep in our heart, while coming to peace with what no longer resonates and let go. Sometimes all at once. These elements are no small things for the heart and soul to consider. Attention to honoring them fully requires radical honesty with … [Read more...]