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.***