Ups, Downs, and Overwhelms

Greetings...

As I mentioned in my May 2, 2007 post about embracing your style, many creative folks are also ADD folks and/or highly sensitive folks as well. Some aspects of these two latter traits actually help us express our creativity because we tend to notice and feel things that others may miss. They also tend to make us more intuitive, which is a great boost for our creativity!

But here's the rub...the downsides of these traits need to be managed if we are to thrive in a creative lifestyle, as some of you know all too well, I'm sure.

I believe that ADD and high sensitivity are closely related, because there are many overlapping characteristics. To read up on them, check out the work of Edward Hallowell (for ADD) and Elaine Aron (for high sensitivity). Their work is eye-opening and inspiring.

While it can be wonderful to be open to such a breadth of life's experiences and such a depth of feeling, it also makes us more vulnerable to mood swings, fatigue, anxiety, depression, overwhelm, and burn-out. If you have ADD traits that cause you difficulty in managing your environment and/or time, these issues might be compounded for you.

Feeling more deeply as a highly sensitive person can be quite painful if you have any type of trauma in your history. Depending on your relationship with your ADD or high sensitivity traits, you may need to seek the help of support groups, therapy, coaching, and/or medication.

A good coach can help you sort out the kinds of help you might need. Most importantly, she will not hesitate to let you know if your issues are outside of her area of expertise. I offer initial complimentary exploratory coaching tele-sessions during which I can help you get started making the most of your traits while mitigating the downsides. Please email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a phone session.

Also I'd suggest reading or re-reading last week's post (6/19) on saying "no," because setting boundaries can go a long way in helping you avoid anxiety, stress, overload, fatigue, depression, resentment, and burn-out! It might be helpful to check out or review my post from 5/2/07, about embracing your unique style with the help of your ADD and/or high sensitivity traits.

Please feel free to send any questions in to the comments section below.

To your health and success,
Susan

Saying "No" Benefits Your Creativity and Health

Can you say "no" clearly, firmly, kindly, and without guilt or excuses? This is a crucial survival skill for the twenty-first century, especially for those engaged in creative work or play.

Because I have a passion for life-long learning, I love the information age. But, as with anything else, we need to learn to manage the down side. People's expectations have risen along with the speed of communication and the ready access to information. Chances are it has increased distractions, requests, and demands on your time and attention. Learning to say "no" to the inner and outer pressures this creates is absolutely essential.

Here are some other areas where saying "no" is indispensable:

• Say "no" to overspending and keeping up with the Joneses, so that you have the financial freedom you need to pursue your creative interests.
• Say "no" to behaviors that make you feel out of integrity, such as agreeing to lie for a friend.
• Say "no" to perfectionism, not just in your art, but in all areas of your life.
• Say "no" to 24/7 open-door policies and letting work seep into your vacation time.
• Say "no" to clutter. (I'm still working on this one, but I'm getting better!)
• Say "no" to boundary violations involving your time, space, privacy, unwanted opinions, etc.
• Say "no" to procrastination.
• Say "no" to negative self-talk and outlooks.
• Say "no" to blaming others. It hinders your ability to change the situation.
• Say "no" to striving and trying to control everything. Go with the flow!
• Say "no" to drama...yours or that of others.
• Say "no" to busyness as a status symbol.
• Say "no" to guilt trips.

The Dangers of Not Learning to Say "No"

• Overload, or worse: burn-out
• Resentment that can lead to passive-aggressive behavior in an attempt to get out of what you grudgingly agreed to
• Compromised integrity
• Damaged self-esteem
• No room for the wonderful creative surprises that are waiting around every corner for you!

How-To Tips

• Clarify your values, goals, and priorities so it's easier to decide what you need to say "no" to.
• Remember the oxygen mask protocol: put your own on first before attempting to help others.
• Decide right now that you will no longer allow yourself to be put on the spot. If you need time to think about it, take that time. If the person needs an immediate answer, then it will have to be "no."
• Remember that we teach people how to treat us. Are you teaching "Respect 101" or "Doormat 101?" Trust me, those around you are quick learners in this regard!
• Ask yourself, "Have I made physical, mental, and energetic space for creative seeds to grow?" Say "no" now, and save yourself a lot of weeding later!

Here's to your creativity and health,

Susan

***Need help in this area? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary exploratory tele-coaching session!***

How I Created My Products Using the Law of Attraction

OK, Law of Attraction fans! On several occasions, I've suggested that you use the Law of Attraction, and I've directed you to www.thesecret.tv. Today I'm going to get specific about a few of the ways I use it in my work.

If you're not a fan of the Law of Attraction yet, come along for the ride anyway, and become one! The Law of Attraction is a natural law that causes the frequencies you are sending out with your thoughts and feelings on any subject to come back to you with manifestations that match those frequencies. This is why affirmations, rituals, and guided imagery are so effective!

About three and a half years ago, I decided that I wanted to write some kind of inspirational book. I started saving quotes and other good bits of information in what I call my "book box." At that point, I had no format or specific subject in mind.

I liked the title, "The Whispering Heart," so I made a mock-up of a book cover using collage, and I hung it in my walk-in closet where I would see it every day. I didn't struggle to move forward on the project. I just kept looking at the cover and tossing things in the book box.

After about two years of this, the idea came to me to write a guided journal using that title and quotes from the book box. I developed questions for the reader to reflect on for each quote I used, designed a format, and self-published it. Everything fell into place very easily, and soon I needed a real cover. I ended up using the mock-up cover as the basis for finished cover. Done!

That's the kind of effortless effort that your work becomes when you use the Law of Attraction to draw to you what you want!

Just recently, I finished my second product, "Food for Thought: Thirty Delicious Quotes on the Law of Attraction." A year or so ago, I knew I wanted to make some kind of inspirational card deck. I wrote the idea down in what I call my "Idea Queue." Again, I did not strive to find a theme or anything else for the project.

Soon, ideas started to bubble up, such as using business card blanks for the cards, and Chinese food take-out containers for the packaging.

One day when I was in the craft store looking for something else, I found packages of pastel take-out containers. I still had no focus for what exactly would go on the cards, but I took a leap of faith and bought several packages of the boxes. I also went to the office supply store and bought the cards. This was a way to affirm to myself that I believed that this project would come together, even if I didn't know how yet.

The Law of Attraction often delivers via synchronicity. One day about a month ago, I was looking for something in my book box, and I realized that I had a whole envelope of quotes on the Law of Attraction, and I was inspired to use them to create the product!

The take-out boxes inspired me to use a food theme, and I put the first set of finished cards in one of the boxes, along with two fortune cookies to complete my prototype. Effortless effort! (And fun, too!) The Law of Attraction is like the Law of Gravity in that if you work with it instead of against it, it makes life much easier. So lighten up, stop striving, and go with the flow!

These two products, "The Whispering Heart" guided journal and the "Food for Thought" card set, are both available for $10 US each. They both make great gifts! Please contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to order. Shipping and tax will depend on where you live.
Thanks!

I would love to hear your experiences with the Law of Attraction! Please post them in the comments section so we can all be inspired by them.

To your success,
Susan

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

Creativity 24/7

Greetings!

Creativity has been working 24/7 since long before 24/7 became the popular catch phrase it is today. Come walk with me through a typical "day off" for my fictional friend, Angie, to see what I mean.

Angie rolls over to grab her dream journal from the night table. She smiles at the scribbles on the page, remembering the great plot twist for her novel that came to her at 2:00 am. No time to revel in that now, though, or she will forget the potential title idea that came to her just as she was waking up.

In the shower, she is "showered" with three more title ideas that grew out of the first.

After breakfast, Angie starts sorting laundry, a job she finds boring. As her mind wanders, she thinks of her main character. What chores are the bane of her character's existence? Better yet, what chore is her character absolutely obsessive about? How does that quirk help to move the character development and plot along? Angie laughs as she jots down these bits of comic relief for the book.

After lunch, Angie takes her dog, Rusty, for a walk in the park. It's a beautiful day, and Angie feels a spring in her step. Soon she notices a song running repeatedly through her head to the beat of her own footsteps. One phrase jumps out at her, something about getting a second wind. "Second Wind"! Yes! Another great title idea! She stops to jot it down, and out tumble three ways that the idea could strengthen the book itself, whether she uses it as a title or not.

On the way home, Angie hears a snatch of conversation that sets off some great dialog ideas in her head.

As Angie tosses sticks for Rusty in the yard after dinner, key details for her novel's setting bubble up to the surface of her mind. Tomorrow is going to be a great writing day.

The pieces to our creative puzzles are hidden in plain sight. We just need to be open to seeing them!

To your success,
Susan

P.S. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary exploratory coaching tele-session!

Take Your Creative Cues from Nature

Hi All,

Here are some questions to ask yourself about your life and work to see what you can learn from that most prolific artist, Mother Nature!

Go with the Flow
What do you do when you come to an obstacle? Do you flow around it or slam into it? What can you do to become more spontaneous and flexible?

Have the Law of Attraction Working for You
Are you sending out the kind of vibrations that you want to receive back? See www.thesecret.tv.

Apply the Law of Gravity
What is the reference point that you want your work and life to revolve around?

Use the Law of Inertia
What can you do to build momentum for your projects?

Build a Firm Foundation
What is your "root system" comprised of? Is it strong and steady?

Notice Your Rhythms
Do you recognize the seasons and cycles of your life and work? How is your timing? Do you take adequate time to rest?

See the Value of Incremental Change
Are you patient and persistent? Do you have faith in what is yet unseen? Do you see that incremental change creates less risk and less fear (and therefore less resistance)? Do you recognize that course corrections are easier during incremental change?

See, Use, and Manage Resources
Do you allow "gentle breezes" to bring in new ideas and perspectives? What are the equivalents of sunshine and water that your projects need? How do you manage your time, energy, and money? Do you recognize the resources that are right under your nose? Do you have the enthusiasm and belief in yourself that are needed for your projects?

Play
Do you display the unselfconsciousness and playfulness of animals and small children? Do you acknowledge its value?

Create Ecosystems
Do you have balance in your life? Are there interdevelopmental relationships among your body, mind, and spirit? Do you have adequate interdevelopmental relationships with other people? If you need and accountability buddy for mutual support on projects, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

Bloom Where You're Planted
Do you acknowledge and build on your strengths?

Recycle
What ideas, materials, and experiences can you recycle?

Coaching can help in all of these areas! For a complimentary exploratory tele-session, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

To your success,

Susan

Let Your Creative Spirit Shine!

"Did you know that the best part of learning to see the spirit in all things is that it makes your world come alive and makes your heart and imagination kick into full-time creativity?" --Sonia Choquette

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Last weekend I had the privilege of attending one of Sonia Choquette's workshops. Wow! What a powerful woman! Dr. Choquette (www.soniachoquette.com) is a well-known intuitive, teacher, and author.

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Most of us in the audience were balancing notebooks on our laps with pens poised to take notes. But Sonia had a better idea. She asked us to put our notebooks away and give our intellects the day off. This workshop, she said, would be about reconnecting with our spirit! This reminded me of one of my favorite quotes (author unknown): "No matter what our attempts to inform, it is our ability to inspire that will turn the tides." So true!

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Sonia certainly fits the definition of a lightworker, as defined by fellow metaphysician Dr. Doreen Virture (www.angeltherapy.com): "A living human who feels called to help Earth and her inhabitants in a way that uses spiritual energy. For instance, a lightworker might feel called upon to engage in healing, teaching, or artistic work to help make the planet a better place." My guess is that many of you reading this are in that category, too!

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In the workshop, we used laughter, music, singing, dancing, and partner exercises that invited our spirits to shine. It was great fun and very inspiring to me in all areas of my life, and it was a quantum leap for my personal development!

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In my Reiki training, I learned that the earth's energy is shifting, causing discomfort for many of us as we adjust. Not only does reconnecting with our spirit make us more creative, but it also helps us to raise our own vibratory frequency so we can better function on our changing planet. And here's a bonus: Doing this for yourself helps others to do the same!

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If you would like some coaching around this topic, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary trial coaching tele-session.

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Plato said, "If the head and body are to be well, you must begin by curing the soul." Sonia and many other metaphysicians believe that our physical and emotional illnesses are often (if not always) a result of cutting ourselves off from our spirit, and therefore from our creativity.

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Doreen Virtue intuited the following quote from Diana of Ephesus, a Roman moon goddess: "The moon isn't afraid to shine, nor does it fear attention, ridicule, or rejection. These lower fears sink Earthlings into despair and depression because the soul knows that it's capable of so much more! The soul doesn't like to be harnessed or restrained--oh, no! Unleash yourself completely..." So let you spirit out to play!

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Shine on,

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Susan

Fast-Forward to Motivation, Passion, and Flow

Feeling Stuck? Do you know what the next step is, but you just can't seem to get there from here? We can miss a lot of great opportunities by getting bogged down in what we think "should" come next.

When possible, fast-forward to the part that ignites your passion, then go back and do that other step. You will be amazed at how much easier it will seem, if indeed it needs to be done at all!

When you feel resistance to your work, it's often a sign that you're not going with the flow. Remember Dr. Charles Emerson Winchester III from the TV series, M*A*S*H? His mantra was, "I do one thing, I do it well, and then I move on." That may have worked well for him back in Boston, but in war-torn Korea his rigidity was out of place. Despite the pleading of his co-workers, he simply refused to go with the flow, causing problems for himself and others.

Fast-Forwarding: Why You'll Love It...

Fast-forwarding to another step can help by:

• allowing incubation time for one part of your project while you move ahead to another.
• helping you flow around temporary obstacles such as fear, a creative block, procrastination, or having to wait for another person to respond in some way.
• engaging the Law of Attraction on your behalf. (See http://www.thesecret.tv/.)
• helping you get a fresh perspective on something. This may motivate you and stir the passion you need for the more difficult parts of the project. On the other hand, it may help you see that this is not a project you're passionate about, which will free you up to move on to something that really makes your heart sing.

Take Einstein for Example...

Remember, Einstein intuited the Law of Relativity, and then went back and did the math! We are in good company when we use fast-forwarding!

Suppose you are job-hunting and have been taught that updating your resume is the first step. Sounds easy enough, so why can't you seem to make yourself do it? It's because the passion isn't there. You might try fast-forwarding past that step and do some informal networking instead. If you hear of a job that stirs your passion, you will breeze through that update in no time. Also, you'll have a better idea of what experience will be most relevant to include.

Maybe you need to do some writing that requires an outline, and you've been taught that the outline must come first. But your creativity cowers in the corner at the sight of those Roman numerals! Fast-forward over that step. Write the piece and create your outline from that. It's OK, really!

When coach Winston Connor was a beginning trainee at my alma mater, Coach U, he wanted to get involved in the coaching community as quickly as possible. He ended up starting an alumni group long before he was an alumnus himself. His willingness to reach out without saying, "But first I have to graduate..." paid great dividends for him in this situation and others during his coaching career.

Suppose you want to be a potter. Maybe you're thinking, "But first I have to learn to make my pieces perfectly symmetrical." Maybe not! I attended a craft show where a clever potter was selling very wobbly-looking mugs called "Bad-Day Mugs"!

Maybe you want to write a book, but you hate to do traditional research. You could replace that step with interviews, questionnaires, and/or teaching classes about the subject.

OK, now your book is done, but you're concerned that the information will be outdated by the time it makes it way around the New York publishers' circuit. You could skip that step and self-publish, especially if you have access to your niche market. And you will if you continue to teach the class!

You Get the Idea...

Give fast-forwarding a try the next time you feel stuck, and let us know what happens by stopping by to leave a comment.

Need a lift for your fast-forward leap? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching tele-session.

May the flow be with you,

Susan