Tailor Your Resolutions to Your Lifestyle

Here's my recipe for Creative Resolutions:

C
Create mental imagery of what your life will be like after the goal is completed.
Example: My goal is to write a book, so I'm imagining good questions and supportive comments from comments via email, on this blog, and in person! I also have an image of the cover of the book, of which I'm going to make a mock-up so can I see and touch it every day.

R
Revise your plan when it's truly needed, but be honest with yourself here.
Example: I'm estimating that it will take two years to write my book, but books often take on a life of their own. I may have to adjust that expectation.


E
Set your intention each day for the next step in the process.
Example: A typical daily intention for my book might be to work on it for a minimum of 30 minutes. I often do more, but this way it moves forward, and still feels doable.


A
Set up an accountability system for yourself.
Example: I'm doing this right now by saying here that I'm writing a book. If a reader asks me in 6 months, "How's the book coming along?", I want to be proud of my answer! I also have a one-on-one buddy, who, like me, is writing a book while she has lots of other things going on. When I know I have to give her an update in an hour, it really helps me stay focused!

T
"The work will teach you how to do it." --Estonian Proverb
Example: As I mentioned above, projects do tend to take on lives of their own. I'm just following my book down the rabbit hole. I'm not concerned about how it's going to come together. I just trust that it will.

I
List the improvements that your project will make in your life and the lives of others.
Example: This list will keep me motivated for the long haul, and it will also serve as a list of intentions for the book.


V
Track your goals visually.
Example: I keep a chart of how many hours a day (and week) that I spend on the book. When the chapter titles start to take shape, I can also track which ones are complete. This may sound too simple to help, but it does!

E
Evaluate obstacles and make plans for overcoming them.
Example: One of my obstacles might be feeling overwhelmed, so I have the 30-minute
minimum in place. Another is setting aside the time. My accountability buddy helps greatly with this!


~~~~


R
Is the timing right for your project?
Example: For my book, the timing feels right intuitively, and I've been collecting material for it for 7 years.


E
As Laura Howard West would say, it's "easy, natural, and fun"? Check this out at
http://www.joyfulmarketing.com/.
Example: My book project does feel "easy, natural, and fun." I'm letting it develop organically, and it doesn't even feel like work! (At least not yet!) :-)

S
State a specific desired outcome.
Example: Since I'm letting the book take the lead, this can be a little tricky. This is where the list of desired improvements for others and myself will come in handy. Another way around this is to state your intentions, and follow them with, "or something better!"

O
Get help from others.
Example: My accountability buddy and other friends are cheering me on. Another option for me would be to assemble an R&D team for some helpful feedback on the book.


L
Look ahead. Will this goal help to propel you toward the future you want?
Example: My book will contribute greatly to the future I'm planning. Looking at the big picture, I see that the book fits beautifully with the other things I'm developing!


U
Pick a goal that "U" really want. (No posturing or "it'll look good" goals, please!)
Example: My book topic has grown out of my own interests and not from trying to figure out what the "market" will want in a few years.


T
Set a target completion date.
Example: I've set a two-year completion date to give myself some structure, even though it may have to be changed as the book progresses.


I
What will this project do for your integrity? Will it move you closer to wholeness?
Example: I'm eager to see how my book will turn out, because it will synthesize a lot of what I've learned and experienced over the last 20 years!


O
Is your project on target with your values?
Example: The values I have around creativity and being of service will be woven securely into my book.


N
Break your project down into non-threatening small steps.
Example: For 7 years, I threw interesting bits of information and quotes into my "book box." It's a habit that has served me well, and there is almost no risk involved. (Unless you have a fear of success! ) :-) Now, my 30-minute minimum keeps my fear level down.

S
Don't forget about self-care. Creativity is a holistic process, and all aspects of your being need to be as unencumbered as possible.
Example: In the past I neglected my self-care, and my creativity packed up and left until I changed my ways. What a joy to have it flowing freely again!


Wishing you a productive year in 2008,
Susan

P.S. Being coached was a huge help in getting me to this point. Do you need some support around these topics? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary coaching tele-session!

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

Small Changes, Big Results

I once heard an anecdote about a group of listless otters in a zoo who were brought back to their usual playfulness simply by having someone dangle a piece of paper in their play area. It caught the attention of one or two of the otters, setting off a chain reaction until all the otters were lively again. The dangling piece of paper was a small change that brought about a big result.

In similar ways, we can stimulate our creativity with small changes in our routines and environments, which encourage our brains to make new connections among neurons. Here are some to try, even if for just a day.

• Do something on the spur of the moment.
• Try a new type of physical exercise.
• Try a different art form.
• Try a new spiritual practice.
• Rearrange a room.
• Type when you would normally write by hand or vice versa.
• Try a new recipe.
• Dress differently.
• Style your hair differently.
• Listen to a different kind of music.
• Set up a small meditation alter (or rearrange the one you have).
• Create in a different room, in a public place, or outside. (This is the one I'm using at the moment.)
• Try a new kind of bodywork, such as massage or Reiki.
• Change your working hours.
• Take the bus instead of the train, or vice versa.
• Travel on new routes when walking or driving.
• Shop at some different stores.
• Try different colors of paper and ink, and change the font.
• Change your usual order of tasks or steps in a process.
• If you are around kids, ask for their feedback on your project.
• If you have kids, find a babysitter for an afternoon.
• If you aren't usually around kids, borrow a friend's kid for an afternoon.
• Try some new essential oil aromas.
• Take a bath instead of a shower, or vice versa.
• Try taking more frequent breaks, and experiment with the length of your breaks.
• Take an afternoon off from technology.
• Call an optimistic friend you haven't talked to recently. No whiners, please!
• Create in the presence of a friend or a group as they work on their projects.
• Devise a mini-retreat for yourself.

My friend Mary Beth and I set aside several hours a week where we check in with each other by phone to declare what we are going to work on for the coming hour. Then we check in with our reports and encourage each other to keep going. It's great! With this small change, we've had amazing results over the past year. If you'd like to give it a try, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, and I'll do my best to set you up with a "Dig In" buddy.

Good luck experimenting with these ideas, and please let us know what happens. Remember, sometimes a change can be as good as (or even better than) a rest!

Be well,

Susan

P.S. My guided journal and inspirational card set both make great holiday gifts, especially for Law of Attraction fans! Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for details. Thanks!

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

Another Look at My Bookshelf

Here's some commentary on my Cameron collection favorites. If you're not a fan of Julia Cameron yet, take a look at these.

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

This book, which Cameron wrote with Mark Byran in the early nineties, is still in print and has become a modern classic.

Here's my history with it in a nutshell:

• 1994: I resisted it.


• 1995: I read it.


• 1996: I lived it. I loved it.


• 1997: I went to Omega Institute for a great workshop with Cameron.


• 1998 to the present: I recommend it whenever I can; it has been pivotal in my own development!

It has what was for me a whole new way of looking at creativity. It also has lots of great exercises. My favorite is called "Blasting Through Blocks," which is about how fears and resentments get in the way of our creativity.

Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance

This is a very personal account of Cameron's financial, emotional, and artistic challenges over the years, which made mine look small by comparison. At the same time, it is very instructive and inspiring. Sometimes we forget that we are not the only ones who have struggled to make our artistic lives work.

Supplies: A Pilot's Manual for Creative Flight

This is a playful book with lively illustrations by her sister, Elizabeth Cameron. It contains thought-provoking questions and warnings of pitfalls to avoid.

My only complaint is that Cameron's comments on the usefulness of therapy were somewhat one-sided. Almost by definition, creatives see and feel more deeply in this world. I feel that for the balance we need to function and feel at this level, many of us find therapy to be very helpful, and I would not want to discourage anyone from seeking the help of a skilled, compassionate therapist.

The Vein of Gold: A Journey to Your Creative Heart

Here Cameron uses the metaphor of a journey through the kingdoms of Story, Sight, Sound, Attitude, Relationship, Spirituality, and Possibility. It contains lots of activities that take you along this path.

Walking in This World: The Practical Art of Creativity

This is the sequel to The Artist's Way, and it takes you through 12 weeks of discoveries. Again, there are lots of activities to assist you with those discoveries. I especially like the one called the "Ta-Dah!" List.

Please comment on your experiences with these books or others that you love!

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. My guided journal, The Whispering Heart, makes a great holiday gift for Cameron fans or even for beginning journalers! Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for details.

Proactivity: Bubble Wrap for Your Creative Ideas

Just as Bubble Wrap is effective and versatile because it's comprised of many small bubbles, there is no one secret to preparing a nurturing environment for your creativity. Here are some of the "bubbles" you may need.

Bubbles in Your Physical Environment

"We don't accomplish anything in this world alone...and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something." --Sandra Day O'Connor

• Being a part of a community and other inter-developmental relationships.


• Having the staples consistently on hand that you need for your art, your life, and your business if you have one.


• Decluttering your environment to make space, literally and energetically, for new ideas and projects.


• Cultivating and using resources. One of my favorites is collecting quotes. I use them frequently on this blog, and I've used some of them for the framework for two products so far...a guided journal and a set of inspirational cards. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for details, especially if you have a holiday gift list to fill!

Money Bubbles

• Savings, investments, retirement planning....You know the drill.


• A debt repayment plan.


• A budget and other expense controls.


• Possible employment to support you and/or your artistic dreams.


• If you are self-employed, check your rates. Are you undercharging or overcharging?


• Don't hesitate to hire professional financial planning help if you need it.

Intangible Bubbles

"If the only prayer you ever said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." Meister Eckhart

• Express gratitude for what you have and for what you believe is forthcoming.


• Build a buffer of time into all your projects, and work toward pre-target deadlines.


• Do what you need to do to keep your health and energy levels at their best.

Bubbles in Your Psychological Environment

"The 'silly' question is the first intimation of some totally new development." --Alfred North Whitehead

• Ask silly questions, especially when you're brainstorming.


• Seek clarity around your values, and plan your actions around them.


• Defrag your mental hard drive by spending time in nature, meditating, taking time off, or getting a massage. (Shiatsu is my favorite!)

Bubbles for Your Emotional Stability

"Self-image sets the boundaries of individual accomplishment." --Maxwell Maltz

• Steady self-confidence.


• High self-esteem.


• Flexibility.


• Acceptance


• A sense of humor.


• Optimism.


• A "Plan B."

The Benefits of Bubble Wrap for Your Creative Ideas

"Creativity can be described as letting go of certainties." --Gail Sheehy

• Improved risk tolerance. It's a lot easier to take risks and experiment if you know you have, well...all your bubbles in a row. :-)


• It frees your mind to create. Remember Maslow? Bubble wrap reduces the number of small stressors that fly around your head like gnats. These gnats hinder you in reaching what Maslow called "self-actualization," by keeping your mind busy dealing with the more basic needs of life.


• Readiness. You'll easily be able to recognize opportunities, and you'll be ready to turn on a dime when they knock. As Louis Pasteur said, "Where observation is concerned, chance favors only the prepared mind." And you'll even handle unwelcome changes more effectively; you'll be able to respond rather than react.


• The Law of Attraction can assist you more readily because you won't be so caught up the "how" and "when" of things.

"...the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred." --W.H. Murray

"Easier said than done," you may be thinking about all this. And you would be right. Be patient with yourself. And know that you are worth it.

My best to you,

Susan

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

"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...."

Here are some of my favorite books that inspire creativity, along with my commentary:

Ayan, Jordan: Aha! Ten Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas
This small but comprehensive book has short and to-the-point subsections with lots of exercises called "mini workshops."

Badonsky, Jill: The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard): Ten Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers, and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence
Who could resist a playful title like that?! And why the bodyguard? (Whose name is Arnold, by the way!) The author says it's "to unleash your best defense: your arsenal of passion and desire for your creative dream."

Bayles, David and Orland, Ted: Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
This is such an important topic, and the authors cover it skillfully. I believe that fear is often what is behind procrastination, creative blocks, and the temptation to trade our authenticity for conformity.

Carbonetti, Jeanne: Making Pearls: Living the Creative Life
The author has created this book around the creative cycle and how to flow with it. The phases of the cycle are waiting, opening, closing, holding, releasing, emptying, and sitting. The book is bursting with her beautiful watercolor paintings, too.

Ealy, C. Diane: The Woman's Book of Creativity
Women tend to approach creativity with a more holistic, process-oriented approach than do men, who tend to be more linear and product-oriented. There is much to be said for both approaches, but women do need to be aware that historically our educational system has been out of balance in this regard. (Remember outlining? It was a restrictive tool for many holistic thinkers.)

Fortunately, it's starting to balance out now. I'm thrilled to see a lot of teachers teaching Mind Mapping, etc., along with more linear techniques. But those of us who have been out of school a while need to give ourselves permission to use the approaches that work best for us.

Feel free to add your favorite creativity books in the comments section, along with why you love them! Thanks.

Have an inspired day,
Susan

P.S. I have recently joined the Creativity Coaching Association. Please check out my profile at http://www.creativitycoachingassociation.com!

Try an Art Marathon

National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, is not for the faint of heart. If you dare, check it out at www.nanowrimo.org. The object of the game is to write a 50,000-word novel between November 1 and November 30.

Why would anyone do this to himself?? The folks at NaNoWriMo say, "By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create."

You may think there's a madness to their "method," but take a closer look, and you'll see the method to their "madness."

"NaNoWriMo is all about the magical power of deadlines," say the NaNoWriMo folks. "...the glow from creating big, messy art...lasts for a long, long time. The act of sustained creation does bizarre and wonderful things to you....And changes, a little bit, your sense of self."

Here's what I'd like to propose. Scale this idea down to what's manageable for you and apply it to any art form you choose. It's a great way to get rid of that nagging editor or art critic, etc., that chatters in your head. You simply outrun him.

Then dig through the rubble to find the chunks of gold hidden within!

To your success,

Susan

P.S. Do you have a deep thinker on your holiday list? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to order my guided journal, The Whispering Heart. ($10 US; plus tax and shipping depending on where you live.) See the sample exercise below:

Treasures

"Life is a spiritual treasure hunt--when we are paying attention, we see that there are clues everywhere we look." --Sandra C. Brossman

.

.

What treasures are you finding in your daily life?

.

.

P.P.S. A big thanks to my son, Dave, for telling me about NaNoWriMo!

Give Your Ego a Clear Job Description

Here's mine:

TO: My Ego
FROM: Susan
RE: Your Job Description

Position: Reality Coordinator; Your job responsibilities fall into three categories to ensure your successful collaboration with my creative side:

1. Support my creativity by collaborating with it on:

-my self-care.
-my marketing plans.


2. Back off and defer to my creativity while it's:

-brainstorming.
-daydreaming.
-interpreting dreams.
-cross-training in other artistic areas.
-journaling.
-working on projects in the early stages of development.


3. Take the wheel in your areas of expertise, including:

-logistics and technical considerations.
-handling rejection.
-pricing and other financial matters.


In Summary: Please hang this prayer over your desk.

The Ego's Effectiveness Prayer

Please help me to enhance Susan's creativity where I can,

Back off where I can't,

And have the discernment to know the difference.

.

*****************

.

Readers,

.

Please comment on the role of your ego in your creative work so we all can compare notes!

.

A complimentary trial coaching tele-session is available to you on this topic or most others. Set yours up by emailing me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. With the holidays coming, you may also want to inquire about my gift-boxed set of inspirational quote cards on the Law of Attraction ($10 US plus tax and shipping that will depend on where you live).

.

Sample Quote:

"What we need is more people who specialize in the impossible."

--Theodore Roethke

.

Happy Halloween,

Susan

Shaping Our Lives, Imperfections and All

Being human is like throwing pots...very messy. A beautifully shaped piece on the wheel can turn into a wobbly mess in the blink of an eye. And glazing pots is like getting dressed in the dark. Until they're fired, you don't see the true colors and how they'll blend.

A potter's wisdom is in his body and results from lots of trial and error (on resumes we call it "experience.") We can't learn to throw pots by just reading about it or watching a demo. You have to do it. And at first, you have to do it badly.

As time goes on, the potter will surprise herself with what comes through her, because she has prepared herself as a vessel in order to create amazing vessels on the wheel! She's been shaping herself as she shaped the pots, just as we all shape ourselves through our art and the art of living.

Will others resonate with the art and life you have shaped for yourself? Some will and some won't, of course. But hold your self-styled art and life dearly to your heart anyway! The right companions will find you, and the right patrons will find your art. Love your life and live it to its fullest, imperfections and all.

Imperfectly yours,
Susan

P.S. To sign up for a complimentary trial coaching tele-session or to order my guided journal, The Whispering Heart, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

Tune Into Your Muse

Have you ever felt that you and your muse are on different wavelengths, resulting in a frustrating creative block? From a metaphysical perspective, that's exactly what happens.

The conditions in and around us during a creative breakthrough are those that foster a higher vibration that closely matches what we call the muse...that special blend of creativity and intuition that we've been wanting to tap into. So here are some ways to raise your vibration and that of your environment to reduce the mind static between you and your muse.

• Apply basic Feng Shui principles to your work area and to the area between your ears. Clear out physical, mental, and emotional clutter. If you can do this on your own, great! Go for it. If not, get a friend, coach, or personal organizer to help you with the physical clutter. For the mental clutter (long to-do lists, too much debt, etc.), set aside time to attend to each item, ditch it, or delegate it, as appropriate. If the issue or item looms large, you may need to put a system in place for step-by-step progress. For emotional clutter, try journaling or writing an imagined dialog between you and the issue. If you need help, do yourself a huge favor and find a good therapist to help you sort things out.
• Hug a tree! Communing with nature raises our vibration gently and pleasantly.
• Listen to energizing music. If your energy is really down, start with music that is slightly livelier, then move to progressively more energizing pieces.
• Clear out internal energy bottlenecks with Reiki and/or massage.
• Eat light meals consisting of fresh foods that haven't had the life force energy processed out of them. Bless the meal and express gratitude for it.

If you'd like to explore this idea of rising to meet the muse's frequency further, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching tele-session.

As you experiment with these ideas, please post your experiences in the comments section!

Thanks,

Susan

Good News About Creativity and Aging

Here are 12 reasons why creativity and aging make great partners:

1. You may have more time to create after raising kids and/or retiring.
2. If you're a grandparent, this wakes up your creativity as you see it in the little ones and as you use it yourself to entertain and communicate with them.
3. You are clearer about your wants, needs, values, and preferences and how you want to express them in your art.
4. Your self-esteem may be stronger and can hold up better to criticism and stereotypes.
5. You probably feel more free to be who you really are, and that will come through in your work.
6. You may be in a better financial position to support the launch into the creative field of your choice.
7. You may have a clearer mission (see last week's post) about how you want your art to serve the world.
8. You may have more time for fun and relaxation, both of which open you up to the creative process!
9. Wonderful technology to support your creative and marketing efforts is available now that was not around when you were younger.
10. Mentoring and/or being a role model for younger people can be very rewarding. Even others in your age group may be inspired to follow your lead.
11. Being creative is a great way to keep your mind active and healthy as you age.
12. Your experiences and personal growth have enriched your potential for creative output.

So don't say, "Oh, I'm too old to start painting (or writing, throwing pots, etc.). Instead, say "My age is adding a whole new dimension to my work!" Plant your creative seeds in the rich soil of your life experience, and see what emerges!

Still not convinced? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial tele-coaching session so we can apply these points to your specific situation.

Wishing you fulfillment always,

Susan

Mission and Motivation

Tying your art to a mission will liven up your motivation and creativity. It'll add a whole new depth to what you're doing, no matter what form your art takes!

Rafael Bejarano, Multi-Cultural Ritualist and Educator, Musician, Artist, and Healer

I saw this amazing guy perform last spring. His mission is to help with the care and feeding of the sacred music traditions and instruments of the indigenous cultures of the world. He has won the respect of those cultures through his sincere interest, and they have taught him what he needs to know to carry out this mission. What a new world this has opened up for him and his audiences, both children and adults alike!

Here's a quote from Rafael's brochure: "Through the use of indigenous instruments from around the world, I feel I become an 'instrument' myself...a messenger for the ancient ones....Together we can co-create a better world for ourselves and our future generations." What an inspiration for the rest of us who are holding missions close to our hearts! You can check out his website at www.soundsofcreation.org.

And What About You?

Of course only you can decide what mission you are passionate about. But for the sake of an example, let's say your mission is to keep the arts alive and fun in the schools. Maybe you win a grant that allows you to run a program in your local schools. You've added another dimension to your work by becoming an important role model for young people!

With that example in mind, take a look at your passions and clarify a mission that will expand the world for yourself and others. If you already have a mission that feeds your creative motivation, please tell us about it in the comments section!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. Need help clarifying your mission? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching tele-session, and I'll help you get started sorting it out.

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

Closed Hearts Shut Out Creativity

When Do We Close Our Hearts?
We close our hearts in order to prevent further pain when we have been emotionally injured. But like denial, closing the heart is meant to be only a temporary arrangement while we set up the healing process.

Why Does A Closed Heart Block Creativity?
Over time, a closed heart robs us of our enjoyment of life, our playfulness, our ability to trust, our creativity and our intuition. It leaves us in a state of disconnection from Spirit, other people, and ourselves. We feel empty and tired. It can even lead to depression.

Walling off our hearts is an all-or-nothing deal, like general anesthesia. All welcome sensations are blocked out along with the unwelcome ones. Joy, creativity, and even colors are muted. Negative emotions, which are designed to stay in motion, get stuck. Instead of being the useful messengers they are meant to be, they overstay their welcome and can even make us sick.

How Can We Tear Down The Wall, Open Our Hearts, and Start Feeling Again?
Usually we have to do this brick by brick. Even in the case of a sudden catharsis, it takes time to integrate a new way of being. Coaching can often help with this, but if the problem is deeply entrenched, do yourself a favor and find a great therapist. If you're not sure what kind of help you need, I can help you sort it out in a complimentary trial coaching tele-session; email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

Part of opening our hearts is learning to forgive ourselves and others. Forgiveness has been given a bad name because people think it means that we have given in and are going back for more bad treatment. But forgiveness means releasing ourselves from the energy-draining situation in our own minds. It does not always mean reconciliation with the difficult person.

Placing blame leaves us powerless when it leads to feelings of resignation and victimization. We must take responsibility for our responses and for whatever we can do to improve the situation, whether we are to blame or not. As for our own mistakes, we can use the energy they stir up to learn from them and correct them instead of wasting it on beating ourselves up.

As we open our hearts, we can test the creative waters now and then to measure our progress. Here's the good news: Just as the closing off process affects us holistically, so will the opening process! Our general outlooks will improve, along with our energy and creative output levels. Unexplained physical problems may bow out, as well, once we "get" the messages they were sending!

Closing our hearts means closing ourselves off to a full life. What will you do for yourself today to let your heart help you express all of who you are? I'd love to see your answers in the comments section!

To your happiness,
Susan

Wanted: Consultant, Therapist, or Coach?

Confused about who does what? Read on:

You'll Benefit from Hiring a Great Consultant If:

• You want someone to step in and tell you what needs to be done and then to step back and let you do it.

You'll Benefit from Hiring a Great Therapist If:

• The weight of your emotional concerns is preventing you from taking action, being creative, and/or enjoying life. Call one today; you have suffered long enough!

You'll Benefit from Hiring a Great Coach If:

• Aside from the stress of your current situation (transitioning, feeling stuck, etc.), you are in reasonable emotional and physical health so that you can carry out the goals (creative or otherwise) you'll be setting with the guidance of a coach.
• You're not sure what/who you need. A coach can help you sort it out.

If I Can Help...

• Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching tele-session!

To your success,

Susan

P.S. From time to time, I would like to feature some great role models for the creative life on this blog. To nominate someone, please check with them first, and then email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. Thanks!

Authenticity Invites Creativity, Joy, and Like-Minded Patrons

The Ease of Authenticity

Signs and symptoms of authenticity:

• You attract the right projects and ideas because your authenticity makes you a worthy steward or vessel for them.
• Your need for self-expression is satisfied because you're creating what you love, not just what a fickle market supposedly wants.
• You're using less energy and causing less stress for yourself because you are going with the flow of the Law of Attraction (see http://www.thesecret.tv/).
• You attract the patrons who are aligned with the "real you."
• You definitely enjoy your work and even your marketing and networking more!

...But It Takes Practice

I'm a big fan of the intuitive Belleruth Naparstek (http://www.healthjourneys.com/) About ten years ago, I attended one of her workshops. She had lots of great stories, including this one about authenticity.

Belleruth said that she was at a conference listening to an inspiring speaker encouraging the group to be more authentic by aligning everything they think, feel, say, and do. Belleruth thought this was a great idea and adopted it on the spot. Or so she thought.

The next speaker at the conference did not appeal to her at all, and she was planning her escape when the person next to her said, "Isn't she wonderful?!" Belleruth whispered back, "Yes!"

As she was relating the story to us, she said, "I lasted three minutes!" So don't beat yourself up if your efforts to become more authentic take some time.

Our Many Masks

How do we get off track so easily, as Belleruth did above? Why is it so hard to just be ourselves?

I believe our cultural programing and coping mechanisms have a lot to do with it. Here are some of the masks we commonly see:

• The People-Pleaser
• The Intimidator
• The "Nothing Bothers Me" Mask
• The Brick Wall
• The Tough Guy or Gal
• The Perfectionist

Do whatever you need to do to get rid of these masks. As a coach I may be able to help you drop the ones you have. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to try out an introductory session with my compliments by phone.

If the problem is deeply entrenched and/or was brought on by a trauma, you may need to find a good therapist to help.

Sweat Happens

There are lots of so-called "resources" out there that tell you exactly how to "get ahead" by being inauthentic. "Never let 'em see you sweat!" they say. Well, I have sweated buckets, and if someone else can learn from my mistakes, I would rather share them than hide them!

I saw an article the other day about the so-called "correct posturing" when decorating your office. They suggested putting books on the shelf that will give the impression that you are studying your way to the top. And heaven forbid (heavy sarcasm is mine), don't let it show that you're a well-rounded human being by having too many family photos around! I think these folks need to join...

Chameleons Anonymous

Authentic work is not one-size-fits-all. You risk turning (even ticking) some people off, but it's a risk you must take. (It's not easy for a recovering people-pleaser like me!) But how can anyone resonate with the "real you" they never see it? There will always be those who don't "get" your work. Let it be OK.

People can sense insincerity and insecurity (from working too hard to hide your "true colors") a mile away. Chameleons are cool-looking creatures, but it doesn't serve us to act like them in our creative work, networking, or marketing!

Recommended Sites for Authentic Marketing

• http://www.authenticpromotion.com/
• http://www.joyfulmarketing.com/
• http://www.marketingontheplayground.com/

Here's hoping you'll see the "real you" in all your work!

All my best,

Susan

Games Creatives Play...and Win!

Time and project management can be very tricky for creatives. In fact, it's just about impossible to manage your work in the way that more conventional workers do.

As a creative, you can't just plow through your inbox, attend to correspondence, attend a few meetings and call it a day. Conventional work is not necessarily easier, but at least you have a clearer view of the road ahead. A task has been selected, by you or for you, and you typically have some idea how when you're going to get from A to B to C.

For many who have tried to apply this linear approach to creative work do not find it sustainable or rewarding, and they end up burned out. (I speak from experience on this one!)

Aligning with the Law of Attraction (see www.thesecret.tv) is the most harmonious and effortless way for anyone to achieve their goals. For many creatives, however, it is the only sustainable way to go.

The Law of Attraction is all about setting intentions and going with the flow, forgetting about "how," and waiting for inspired action. This is great, but the flow doesn't operate on a 9 to 5 schedule. Actually, the flow works on a 24/7 schedule. The catch is that you don't know which of those hours or even days it's going to have the next piece of synchronicity or inspired action ready for you.

So how can you work with the flow instead of against it? The best way I've found around it is to have multiple projects going at once. It's like the old shell game, only you get to look under each shell and see where your inspiration is today! This can help in several ways:

• While you're waiting for the inspiration or bit of synchronicity you need for one project, you can be working on another. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest. (Staring at a blank page or canvas isn't very restful, anyway! Nor does it invite the Law of Attraction to operate on your behalf.)
• If you're one of the many creatives with ADD traits, this way of working will be likely to fit your style and help keep you engaged in your projects.
• It takes the pressure off you regarding any one project, relieving you of much stress that could have easily blocked your creativity. Missteps are less painful when you have two or three projects going.
• It makes it easier and less scary to finish any given project, because you've already got some others underway.

Also, be sure you have some way of recording inspirations 24/7, the office hours of the creative process. These don't have to be your office hours, but you are on call to at least jot the ideas down for later.

The expression "once begun, half done" is never truer than when you are going with the flow of the Law of Attraction. You have set an intention, and the universe will meet you half way!

To Your Success,

Susan

P.S. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary trial coaching tele-session on this topic or most others!

Yin, Yang, and Your Creativity

It's All About Balance

I'm sure you've all seen the perfect natural balance that's depicted by the yin/yang symbol. I would guess that none of us maintain this degree of balance all the time, but the more you reach toward it, the easier it will be for your creativity to flow.

A Quick Refresher Course on Yin and Yang

• Yin, shown as black on the symbol, represents the receiving, feminine energy. The white dot within it represents the smaller amount of yang, or action-oriented male energy, that is needed to balance yin and make it whole.
• Yang (again, the action-oriented, male energy) is shown as white with a black dot, in reverse proportions to the yin side. When we say a man is "in touch with his feminine side," it's that black dot that represents it.
• Each side is shaped sort of like a fish, and they interlock to form a circle.

It's 2007. Do you know where your energy is?

Cultural influences, for better or worse, affect how we express our energy. In the 1950's, I feel that women were expected to be overly yin, and men were expected to be overly yang. So creative men were often criticized for using their talent, and creative woman were often not accessing enough yang energy to get out there and market their work.

Then the pendulum swung the other way for my generation as young adults in the 1970's, especially for women. We took on lots of yang behaviors and created the "superwoman" syndrome. At the same time, men were not only encouraged to express more yin energy, but they they were pressured to do so.

Presently I feel that we have a much better balance of energy for men and women alike. For example, our nursing shortage is being addressed by many more men going into the profession.

Women have much more cultural freedom around the way they want to spend their child-bearing years. If they choose to have children, they may elect to continue working, either from home or not. Where finances permit, many moms are choosing to take their child-bearing years off from additional types of work.

Running a home business is a creative act in itself, as is being a stay-at-home mom or dad. And women are finding their voices in the marketplace while learning to maintain a higher level of self-care. (Need coaching around this? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary trial tele-session on this topic or most others.)

Please comment below about how you maintain yin/yang balance in your own life. What a great time in history to be a creative soul!

To your success,

Susan

FAQ's About the Creative Process

"Is everyone creative, or is it just a lucky few?"

I believe that everyone is creative. The catch is that there are blocks that stop people from accessing it or recognizing it, such as:

• fear of failure, success, responsibility, looking foolish, or being rejected.
• unconscious programing that may sound something like this: "I'm too left-brained to be creative," or "It would be arrogant to assume I'm creative."
• overlooking the creative things we do every day at work and at home. A former client of mine who didn't see himself as creative is actually an outstanding creative problem solver!
• depression. Even a mild case can shut your creativity down. Please seek help if you need it! Depression is a messenger, and you may need help deciphering the message. If you try to ignore it, the messenger may start knocking so loud that you can't hear anything else.
• limiting cultural stereotypes about creatives, which often include words like "flake," "drunk," or "starving." If I believed these descriptions, I wouldn't want rush up to join the club, either!

"What about those who start out creating but then seem to lose touch with it?"

Here are a few possibilities:

• the onset of depression (see above).
• pushing and striving instead of going with the flow.
• getting lax about self-care and balance.
• resentment toward those who have criticized or rejected their work.
• other unfinished emotional business.

"What are the relationships among creativity, intuition, and spirituality?"

If I took a poll of actively creative folks, I believe the responses would fall into three categories:

• Some might say something like, "I have no interest in intuition or spirituality, and I do just fine creating."
• The second group may not use the exact terms, but may report things such as "I get lost in my creative work," "I'm surprised by the results of my own work," or "The work seems to come through me instead of from me."
• The third group might be those who actively cultivate their intuition and spirituality and feel strongly that these inform, inspire, and shape their work. While I respect the experiences and preferences of others, I find myself in this group.

"O.K., Susan, please tell me why I keep putting off the work I would most like to be doing!"

Here are some possibilities:

• fear (see the first question again).
• guilt ("I should be spending my time doing something else.")
• ADD or culture-induced ADD-like behavior. See the work of Edward Hallowell.
• failing to break the project down into approachable pieces.
• lack of accountability. Set up a mutual accountability plan with a friend or email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. I can always use an additional accountability buddy! I'd also be glad to coach you on this topic during a complimentary trial tele-coaching session.

Please ask any additional questions on the creative process in the comments section so I can address them in future posts. Thanks!

To your success,

Susan

Castles in the Air

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." --Henry David Thoreau

This is one of the greatest lessons I learned in my coach training! I wish I'd known it when I was a freelance children's writer. From my viewpoint now as a coach and Reiki Master, I can see how I failed to provide a solid foundation for myself. I did well in terms of learning the ropes and staying up with changes in the field. I knew the foundational stuff for my sole proprietorship, but I forgot to take care of the proprietor!

Soon I became the weakest link in my own chain, often dealing with creative blocks and stress-related illnesses that led me away from being the "principal" of my business and toward being the "principle" reason it failed!

I did not take care of myself physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or energetically! It was like walking on stilts, which was certainly not a firm foundation for my "castle"!

Even if your creative activity is a hobby rather than a business, if you've been walking on stilts, where are you going to find the energy and inspiration to create? Keeping your values in mind, take a look at these three areas:

Simplify

• What routines can you institute to lessen your stress?
• What positive energy resources can you cultivate for yourself? Maybe a walk in nature?
• What boundaries do you need to set with others to lessen your stress?

Clarify

• What strengths can you leverage?
• What kind of people do you want to surround yourself with?

Amplify

• What is your vision or mission for your life, and how does your art fit in?
• What goals support your vision or mission?
• What's one small step you can take today to start building a firm foundation?

Please share your comments on the step you choose and your results to inspire the rest of us!

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary introductory tele-coaching session for more help on this topic or most others!

Creative Community

Diversity and Choice

I'd like to start with a few things that creative community is NOT. First of all, it is not limited to what we normally consider the "arts." Putting together a rewarding life for yourself is the creative framework for all else that you do! This can include the arts, but could also include many other things such as parenting or running a business.

Secondly, creative community is not limited to traditional networking at breakfast meetings, etc. Some folks love these and find them very helpful. Others find them to be an unnatural fit for their style.

Technology's Role

If you found your way to this blog, you probably already know what a boon the Internet has been for networking and support communities of all types. And you can often enter into joint ventures with no concern for your JV partner's geographic location!

Modern phone technology, which allows for inexpensive conference calling, can be used for all sorts of group experiences, including brainstorming, classes, Q and A, interviews, and demonstrations.

The Right Fit

Having fun loosens you up and opens the door to your creativity, so be sure to choose a community that provides this for you. Forget about what you've heard you "should" be doing, and involve yourself with others in ways that you feel enthusiastic about.

What I love about community is the amazing synergy that comes out of a group in which the individuals have moved past "What's in it for me?" and have shifted as a group to "What's in it for us and for those we serve?"

Other Things to Love About Creative Community

• companionship
• advice and mentoring
• circulation of information, methods, ideas, and techniques
• feedback
• encouragement
• inspiration
• intuitive input from others
• a safety net
• a venue for beta testing
• sounding boards

Dig-In Days

My friend and fellow entrepreneur, Mary Beth Krawchuk and I set several hours a week aside to "dig in" to our work while supplying structure, accountability, focus, and support for each other by phone at the beginning and end of each work hour. Many months ago when we first began, Mary Beth said, "I got more done on this project in this hour than I have in the past month!"

Give it a try with a friend or email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. I can always use another accountability buddy!

Start Our Own Community? Why Not?!

Please scan this post again to see what kinds of support you need and how you might support others. Please leave a comment or email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com with your ideas, questions, quandaries, etc. My goal is to have creative4life become a nurturing community for those of us in any creative arena. (That is, just about all of us!)

Thank you,

Susan

Why Do We Resist Creating Our Art?

See if you recognize any of these culprits:

Confusion
We have a lack of clarity about what we really want from our work. This can be the result of conflicts between what we consciously want and what our limiting paradymes and beliefs are telling us unconsciously. These limitations are passed down from many aspects of society, and as kids we take them right in without a thought. We need to clean out our mental closets of such phrases as "starving artists," "artists are flakes," etc., and replace them with positive beliefs that will better serve us. Which brings us to the next culprit....

Lack of Knowledge of the Law of Attraction
Please check out my 6/11/07 post on how I created my products using this law. With a little faith, combined with positive thinking and inspired action, we can use the Law of Attraction to get into the creative flow. If you haven't seen the movie "The Secret" yet, check it out at www.thesecret.tv.

Fear
This is big one for all of us. Author Susan Jeffers tells us to "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway," because if we wait for it to go away before we start anything...well, we simply won't start anything! Our fears can include stage fright, fear of change, risk, criticism, and/or jealousy. And the fear of jealousy can lead to feelings of...

Guilt
Even if others don't act negatively out of jealousy, we may still feel guilty about outshining our peers. But if we all felt that way, who would be our mentors...and how might we inspire others by our examples? Mature individuals will learn from us rather than despise us for the trails we are blazing.

Perfectionism
I have heard that glamour is a function of distance. We are all out there putting our best foot forward, so sometimes we forget that other people's paths have been just as curvy and messy as ours have been. This can even make us feel like frauds at times. But we're not; we're just human! What's more, perfectionism leads to...

Overthinking
We want to cover all the bases (not to mention our butts!). Overthinking is time-consuming, exhausting, confusing, and very unwelcoming to our creativity and intuition. When we get used to using the Law of Attraction, we find it easier to let go of overthinking, so don't forget to check that out, as I mentioned above.

To your productivity and success,
Susan

P.S. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary exploratory coaching tele-session on this topic or most any other!

Giving What You Love, Loving What You Give

To my mind, it's the highest of honors to be able to help others using my creativity. The best jobs I've had in my life have allowed me to do this, and it's certainly true for the creativity coaching I'm doing now. Even more general personal coaching, which I also do, is greatly enhanced by using my creativity.

Have you ever come to this wonderful intersection where the world benefits from what you love to do? If so, please tell us about it in the comments section!

Perhaps you contribute in this way as a gardener, parent, teacher, writer, artist, therapist, designer, or creative problem solver. Even toddlers and kids brighten our world with their amazing creativity!

Do you see a need that's calling to be filled? What solutions are you uniquely prepared to provide? What help and resources will you need? Do you recognize the resources that are right under your nose? What other questions do you need to ask for your particular situation?

If you are contributing or planning to contribute in this way, I want to say this to you: thank you! The world is changing very rapidly, and the old quick-fix solutions to many of our issues just don't cut it anymore. We need you! This is not marketing hype; it is our reality. Look and see for yourself.

Your creativity is a sacred trust. If you would like guidance on delivering on that trust in a way that will be fulfilling to you, please email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up an initial complimentary coaching tele-session.

To your success,
Susan

P.S. Looking for an accountability buddy to work with as you share your gifts with the world? Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com so we can nudge each other along by phone. Coaches have been using this method with each other for years...because it works! :-)

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

Embrace Your Unique Way of Seeing the World

"Rely on yourself,

and be true to who you are.

What's unique about you

is what will take you far."

--from the children's book, Unstoppable Me!, by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, with Kristina Tracy

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I agree. Please stop trying to fit in! We need your unique perspective and thought processes. Yes, even if your perspective has been pathologized as ADD, dyslexia or some other label.

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Our educational system and work culture are designed to fit the majority. Just because these institutions have not fully learned how to bring out our best doesn't mean there's something wrong with us! So if the mainstream "operating system" doesn't help you to be your best, create your own.

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This requires the courage and self-confidence to dance to your own drummer. Divergent perception and thinking styles often show up in the most creative among us. Therefore, we don't want to root them out and eliminate them. Rather, we need to learn to mitigate the downsides and leverage the upsides of these styles.

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This process may sometimes include the help of an M.D., therapist, family member, employer, friend, and/or coach. To set up a free trial coaching tele-session, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

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Here I'll be specifically discussing the traits associated with high sensitivity and ADD as examples, because they're the ones I've had personal experience with and have studied the most about. For an expert's view, check out the resources I'm including for each.

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High Sensitivity: Brilliance or Burn-Out?

See the work of expert Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person. She explains the trait (which is present in 15 to 20% of humans and animals) and offers great tips for living well with it.

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Fortunately, this trait has not been officially pathologized, although those of us who grew up with it may have been labeled by peers as "worry warts," "scaredy-cats," "namby-pambies," "cream puffs," or "shy loners."

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Highly sensitive people (HSP's) feel things very deeply, take in more details, and tend to be highly intuitive. The upside is that these characteristics put us easily in touch with our creativity.

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To others, however, we look like we are processing more slowly than they are, but actually we are processing more deeply. This also makes us look even more hesitant and easily alarmed than we really are. You might say that non-HSP's are skiing along the surface of the water while HSP's are scuba diving.

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The deep processing of HSP's leaves us vulnerable to sensory overload. It's essential for HSP's to set ample boundaries, to take extremely good care of ourselves, and to speak up for our needs. For me, this includes rarely watching TV or reading newspapers. I have to be careful about the amount of stimulation coming through, or I end up with burn-out.

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ADD It Up: Pathology or Purpose?

For excellent coverage of ADD, see the work of Edward Hallowell, co-author of Driven to Distraction.

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For better or worse, ADD has been officially pathologized, but not all experts agree on this.

Maybe folks with ADD seem to be "all over the place" because that's where the creative ideas are! There's a time and place for linear thinking, but when you're trying to be creative, it's more likely to just get in the way.

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I like to think of the ADD mind as a kaleidoscope, reaching out in all directions to form new patterns. The lateral thinking that comes so easily to those with ADD has been written about extensively by Edward De Bono for anyone to apply. However, I have seen resistance to his methods from highly linear thinkers. This doesn't make him or them wrong; it just points again to the natural differences in thinking and perceptual styles that add to the richness of mankind's accomplishments.

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If you have ADD, take a look at what kinds of structure, support, and accountability work best for you and implement those into your daily life. I find the structure of doing these weekly posts helpful for me. And in preparing the material for the posts, it helps me to use large index cards so that I can freely change the order of my points or add to them.

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It's also helpful to team up with an accountability buddy. This works great for me. If you're interested in mutual support by phone as we each tackle our projects, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a time.

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High Sensitivity and ADD: Kissing Cousins?

The more I learn about these two perceptual styles, the more overlap I see. As research continues in these areas, I would not be surprised to hear that they are closely linked.

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In any event, I believe that perceptual styles that deviate from the norm and the extra effort it takes to function in our culture with them result in a lot of "late bloomers." However, those of us who learn to compensate without attempting to conform are richly rewarded!

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Happy blooming,

Susan

How to Fail Successfully

Greetings Intrepid Creators!

Here's my holistic approach to making the most of our failed attempts at just about anything:

Practical Steps to Take
First, think through the risks involved before you embark on the project. What reserves will you need in order to bounce back if things don't work out as you planned? Money, energy, time, self-confidence, flexibility? What is your Plan B?

Also consider your timing...by this I mean your personal timing and rhythms as much as any external timing factors. Is this the best time to start from both of these perspectives?

If indeed you do need to resort to Plan B, don't put it off. Let go of Plan A, and trust that if it is meant to come back, it will, in its own way and time.

In the meantime, apply whatever you learned from the experience to Plan B. It's possible that what you thought was Plan B was the plan after all, so don't be too quick to shrug it off as a mere consolation prize. Make the necessary course adjustments and lead with your heart.

Also, review my post on transitions from April 12. A failed attempt, properly managed, results in a transition, not a dead end.

Reframe the Failed Attempt for Yourself Emotionally
Put your own vision ahead of worrying about what others will think of your tumble. Give yourself permission to fail without labeling yourself a "failure." It's just trial and error on a larger, more frightening scale.

Also, remind yourself what good company you are in! We often hear stories of successful people who built their successes on the foundations of what they learned from their failures. Edison is perhaps the most frequently mentioned because of the many, many ways he discovered for making a light bulb that didn't work.

Transform Your Failed Attempts Into Service for Others
Use the experience you gained from your mistakes to help others find a smoother path. You can do this through writing, teaching, speaking, mentoring, and other ways. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success."

Coaching can help in all three of these areas. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary trial tele-coaching session.

To your success,
Susan

P.S. Last call for Saturday's Dig-In project day via teleconferencing technology, from 8:00am to 10:10am Eastern. To register for this complimentary gathering, email me by noon Eastern this Friday at scleaver@dejazzd.com. Dig-In Days are fun and effective!