Step up Your Intuitive Development

Here are some tips for developing your intuition:

~Be open to the idea. Your relationship with your intuition can't bloom easily without your attention and respect.

~Start small. Ask yourself who's calling before you pick up the phone. What color will your friend be wearing today? What's coming in the mail for you today? Who should you call today?

~Get Feedback. By starting small, you can get lots of feedback on issues that are not emotionally loaded or parts of crucial decision-making.

~Learn more about what intuition feels like for you. Constriction of the throat may signal a "no," while a more expansive physical sensation may signal a "yes."

~Watch for the sensation of a solid "click." This is how I often experience intuition. It feels like two or more things have come together in a meaningful way. They meet, and then settle in as a new insight with a solid "click," similar to puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.

~Be aware of synchronicities. The timing and meaning of synchronicities may hold a message for you.

~Watch for "way closing." This is the Quaker concept that intuition can show you which way to go by blocking the other options.

~Become familiar with the language of your subconscious mind. It speaks to you through your senses. Intuition can be delivered in the form of an image, a phrase that pops into your head, or a bodily sensation, such as an unexplained knot in your stomach.

~Engage in activities that encourage intuition. Some examples are creative activities, walks in nature, meditation, a relaxing bath or shower, and giving or receiving Reiki.

Please share your experiences with intuition in the comments section!

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Need a fresh perspective? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching session by phone or in person.

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Thanks,

Susan

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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***Member of TriCounty Community Network, a local human services resource at http://www.TCNetwork.info.***

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"Why Is She Telling Us This?"

This is my last decluttering update; I have finally reached 100 hours! I started on July 10, 2008, so I don't get any points for speed. I'll take credit for persistence, though!

You may be wondering, "Why is she telling us this?" I had two reasons for tracking my progress on my blog:

• For accountability (A special thanks to my hubby, Stew, and my good friend Mary Beth for heading up the accountability squad!) I also wanted to show you how much accountability helps on a project like this or most any other type. Just be sure your accountability buddies are people who are going to be positive and supportive, especially if the project is a creative one.
• As a demonstration of how you might use a similar method to break down a big project. Through my monthly updates, I've hoped to give you a bird's-eye view of how this can be done, along with the foibles and doubts I had along the way.

What about sustainability?

I spent a little time toward the end of the project setting up a plan for that. I didn't want my organizing efforts to go the way of yo-yo dieting.

I'm a member of www.Coachville.com, and they have a great program called "The 100 Day Challenge." I signed up for the one that started this week to work on maintaining what I did during my own "100 Hour Challenge." The program also gives me a fresh way to approach continuing to improve my home and office environments.

When you're planning a change for yourself, remember to figure in a way to maintain the results you'll attain. We all know how frustrating it is to slip backward. So...go for it, and follow through on the follow-through! :-)

To your success,

Susan

P.S. Contact me for a complimentary exploratory coaching session by phone or in person at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766. I look forward to hearing from you!

P.P.S. Thanks to all who attended my workshop at McCormick Chiropractic in Pottstown, PA, last night. It was fun!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

Getting Your Ego and Intuition to "Play Nice"

Why is it that even when we dearly love to paint, write, dance, etc., we circle our studio or office like a plane waiting to land at a busy airport? We love our craft, we love to work on it, we love to get lost in it...so why are we sharpening every pencil in the place to a nub when we don't even plan to use any pencils?

I believe the answer lies in the phrase above, "...we love to get lost in it...." Yes, the creative and intuitive facets of our psyche love to get lost in it. They have no issue with surrendering to the mystery of the process.

The ego, on the other hand, fears "losing itself" in anything. I believe that our egos are necessary parts of our personalities. But the ego can be like a well-meaning but over-bearing friend to your creative side. He or she is afraid that if you "get lost in the process," you may never come back, or you won't want or need him or her anymore.

So it's the ego's fear that keeps us from diving into the work we love. The ego is also concerned about the end result and how it will be received.

To get our egos to "play nice," we have to remind them that they do their best work near the end of the process...in the editing, pricing, and marketing phases of a project. It's a yin-yang thing; each partner must contribute, but each must also rely on and trust the strengths of the other.

Please share a comment about your experiences with this natural law of the creative process!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. I invite you to try a one-on-one complimentary intro session by phone or in person...on this topic or most any other in the realm of life coaching! Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766 to set up your appointment. I look forward to talking with you.

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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The Foundation of Patience

Are you looking to develop more patience with yourself, others, and situations? Here are some qualities and skills to develop and a few tips that will help in creative endeavors and everyday living:


*Compassion When you must deal with someone who is trying your patience, remember that there is a good chance that they are acting out of fear and/or pain or even a temporarily muddled mind due to a chemical imbalance.

Here's what helps me remember to be compassionate: I remember that at the lowest point of my life, I would not have liked anyone to take a mental snapshot of me and then assume that that's how I am all the time! This is especially helpful when you're dealing with people you don't know.

*Flexibility A little forethought can prevent a lot of frustration. Leave extra time for possible delays such as slow lines, traffic, and puppies that piddle on the floor just as you thought you were ready to leave home.

And always have something with you to work on or to entertain yourself when you get detained. If you like to travel light, just a small tablet, a pen, and your cell phone can give you some options. Books on CD are great for in the car!

*Acceptance Cr%p happens! Puppies piddle. Traffic slows. Orders get held up. The person ahead of you in line pays with 98 pennies. Working on the other areas covered in this post will make this one come easier with time.

*Stress Management If you are committed to keeping your base-line stress level under control, the better you'll be at keeping your cool when the pressure is on. Take care of yourself and ASK for help when you need it.

Find ways to relax that work for you. It could be tai chi, Reiki, massage, meditation, or enjoying a hobby. During the "Do What You Love" evening that I mentioned near the end of my last post, I spent the whole three hours doing one 12"-by-12" collage! It was very soothing to me.

*Assertiveness You don't need to be or act angry in order to communicate what you need. It can be done calmly and politely before you lose your patience!

If you have trouble speaking up for yourself and/or saying "NO," there's lots of help out there. How deeply embedded is the problem? Would a book, CD, or coach help, or is it time to find a skilled therapist? Does seeking therapy sound extreme? Not if the problem is interfering with your life!

*Faith Try learning more about the Law of Attraction and the power of intentions, thoughts, words, and feelings. If you relax and believe that wonderful things are on their way to you, you're sending out positive energy that the Universe matches by the Law of Attraction.

*Self-Awareness When you lose patience with yourself, explore your limiting beliefs about yourself. They can lead to conflicting commitments within your own mind that make you feel stuck.

Fear of success is a great example. Maybe one facet of you wants to succeed, but another part of you is afraid you won't be able to handle the responsibilities involved. Both sides are tugging with equal strength while you're losing patience with yourself for "getting nowhere!"

Again, you need to figure out how deep-seated the problem is, and what level of assistance you'll need. If you're used to doing a lot of inner work, journaling about it may be very effective.

Feel free to offer your comments, questions, and experiences around the topic of patience!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. For details about the Fall Sweep Dig-In Tele-Party on Sept. 22, go to www.seminarannouncer.com and check the September listings for that date. A little accountability and support go a long way! I'm hosting the tele-party as a complimentary service. Questions? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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The Synergy of Your Personal Resources

Think about your personal resources in all areas. How do they work together to help you achieve your goals, creative or otherwise? For example, having lots of time is great, but you don't have the health and/or energy you need in order to use the time as you wish, you're losing out.


Apply this list of personal resources to your situation:


Structures (schedules, written goals, methods, support, accountability)

Time

Space (mental and physical)

Energy (mental and physical)

Community (connection to others, support, counsel, coaching, accountability, inter-developmental relationships)

Money

Earning Potential

Creativity

Intuition

Inspiration

Information

Education

Training

Talents

Strengths

Experience

Health

What area can you improve that will have the highest returns in other areas?

Are you willing to work on that area this week? Please give it a try! Leave a comment before you start if you'd like support and accountability. Also, let my readers and me know when you're finished so we can learn from you...and help you celebrate!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. What have you been putting off that you really love to do? Join us for the "Do What You Love" Tele-Party!

At my tele-party on August 15 (6:00pm to 9:00pm Eastern), we'll each come to the first call with the answer to this question, and the supplies we need to get started.

For me, it'll be collage. I love it, but it takes a lot of time and makes a big mess. But my soul thrives on it!

We'll be calling in at the top of each hour from our homes, offices, and studios to check in and cheer each other on.

Just contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com by Thursday, August 14 (Eastern), and I'll make sure you get the access number and code for the calls.

Your only expense is your carrier's long-distance charges for the brief calls into the teleconference line. My hosting of the tele-party is complimentary!

Your soul will thank you!

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***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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The Way of the Creative...Terrier?

Here are personality traits of my Silky Terrier pup that I would like to see all of us creative folks emulate!

She is...

• feisty
• playful
• intuitive
• brave
• always ready to speak up for herself
• never growling at herself for messing up
• sure the kibbles will follow if she does what she loves
• not about to let her short stature and 4-lb. weigh-ins keep her from being assertive
• willing to rest when she's tired and eat when she's hungry
• adding joy to the lives of those around her
• given to bouts of spontaneous and gleeful exercise
• non-judgemental
• not afraid of failure
• always radiating positive energy
• appreciative of the wonders of nature
• most comfortable as part of a supportive community

Her joyful way of living is her art form!

Please comment on what you have learned from your pets, children, grandchildren, etc., about living creatively!

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary intro tele-coaching session!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

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It's Fall. Do You Know Where Your Creativity Is?

Seasonal Affective Disorder and the Creative Mind
Our thoughts and our biochemistry are so closely entwined, it's no wonder that SAD can leave you wondering if you have a creative bone left in your body! Maybe, like me, you sometimes feel that the bears have the right idea about coping with the darker seasons.

An inability to take in enough light through your eyes during shorter, grayer days can affect your biochemistry and make you feel like a wet noodle for months if you are susceptible. And while you may be able to slog through your day job, the muse is not fond of slogging and will likely leave you feeling about as creative as a kitchen sponge.

Symptoms Are Compounded by Misconceptions and Stigmas
Common symptoms of SAD include depression, irritability, carb cravings, fatigue, sleepiness, and a lack of motivation. Friends and family who aren't affected may wonder why you don't just "snap out of it." As if you wouldn't if you could!

And then there are the stigmas around behavioral health issues and asking for help. Ugh!

Help Is Available
There are lots of resources available today to help you deal with SAD:

• Self-help tips abound.
• Specially-designed light boxes are available.
• Professional help can be very valuable. Therapy and/or medication may be called for in some instances.

In addition to using these resources, I also have an accountability buddy. We provide gentle structure for each other by setting up several hours a week when we call each other to declare what we are going to work on and then what we have completed.

The encouragement and feeling of connection that we provide for each other is very helpful, too. It keeps up our motivation, and we feel good about our accomplishments, which leads to more motivation!

Your accountability buddy need not suffer from SAD to benefit from this arrangement. This idea has been used in the coaching community for years, often in groups on conference calls.

If you're interested in having such a buddy, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, and I will make every effort to match you up with someone. If there is sufficient interest in doing this in a group, I would be glad to host the call.

Coaching can also provide accountability, motivation, and encouragement. Feel free to email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial tele-session.

I'm not willing to let SAD rob me of a full, happy, and creative life. How about you?

To your fulfillment and good health,

Susan