Communicate with Your Subconscious to Make Your Resolutions Stick

For many of us, the most important second language to learn is the language of our own subconscious minds. Your senses, behaviors, feelings, and imagination are the best translators for communicating with your subconscious mind.

In turn, your subconscious will answer and cooperate with you through these same channels, in the form of intuition. Resolutions tend to make a quick exit when our conscious and subconscious minds are not aligned and communicating in these areas.

To invite your intuition to respond and help you keep your resolutions, find ways to communicate in these three areas:

• Auditory~ music, spoken language (affirmations, poetry), chanting, listening to nature, reading your journal out loud
• Kinesthetic~ movement, rituals, smell, taste, awareness of bodily sensations, writing in your journal
• Visual~ collage, photos, view nature, the written word (affirmations, inspiration), guided imagery, symbols

Remember that your intuition also lives in a different time zone! The answers and supportive synchronicities will come at times that will seem random to you. Just go with the flow! The responses from your intuition will come through the same three channels as listed above:

• Auditory~ a thought pops into your mind, song lyrics related to your resolution run through your head, affirmations are reflected back to you as new neural pathways are formed in your brain
• Kinesthetic~ a spontaneous nudge to take a certain action, a pleasant or unpleasant bodily sensation, writing something in your journal that you had no idea you were thinking, a taste or smell that seems to come from nowhere
• Visual~what you've been visualizing is showing up in reality, a symbol that now strengthens your resolve and helps you move forward

You get the idea...get your conscious and subconscious minds in the same "head space." :-) You'd be surprised how often they're not, due to limiting beliefs that cause inner conflict about what you consciously want.
Happy holidays,
Susan
P.S. 'Need support in this area? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching session by phone or in person.

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

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Three Inspiring Quotes from Coco Fossland

Check out www.worldchangingbusiness.com to learn more about Coco Fossland her work.

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Coco on why we don't speak up...
"...we stop asking for what we truly want, because we are secretly afraid that to want it will expose even more of our fear -- that we're unworthy, not good enough, or whatever."
Naming the obstacle makes it feel smaller to me!
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Coco on keeping the holiday spirit 365 days a year...
"Giving with an open heart is a beautiful practice that brings out [the] feelings [that are keys to manifestation]. Thus, this makes you a magnet for receiving what you want."
It all comes back to the Law of Attraction.
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Coco on success...
"Your level of self-trust equals your level of success."
This one says it all!
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For more quotes from a wide variety of wise ones, check out the alter ego to this blog! It's my complimentary (in the US), snail-mail newsletter, Susan, Unplugged.... Your "Slow-Tech" Source for Creative and Healthy Living Tips. To order, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, 610-385-3766, or P.O. Box 586, Douglassville, PA 19518-0586.

Thanks,
Susan

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

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Clutter-Zapping Update, Month Five...and More

Greetings Intrepid Clutter-Zappers,

In the past month, I've logged another 11 and 1/2 hours of decluttering, for a total of 61 and 1/2 hours since 7/10/08! My goal is to reach 100 hours.

Like many things in life, it's a two-steps-forward-and-one-back process. Life is messy! I still need/want to live and work in my home and office, so I'll just have to accept those steps back, and focus on the progress I'm making.

On Wednesday (12/3), I wrote a post called "Pave the Way Now for Your 2009 Resolutions." I was quite pleased with myself for updating my plans for two goals that are well under way already...decluttering and building a business that serves from the heart. (Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to ask about the introductory rate on my new "More Than a Tutor" program for school-aged kids!)

Then, on the next day, I learned that some numbers in my routine blood work were wonky, so my body is needing even more care than I've been giving it. Following my own advice may not be so easy after all! Back to the drawing board for a game plan for honoring all of my body's needs. Being proactive and taking responsibility for my own well-being are high on my values list, so this is not negotiable!

Please share your own goal-setting adventures by leaving a comment. Here's where the "support and accountability" part comes in that I mentioned on 12/3. :-)

Thanks,
Susan

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

Pave the Way Now for Your 2009 Resolutions

Start now to set the foundation for the success of your 2009 goals! Here are a few things you can do to put yourself in the best possible position to succeed.

~Prioritize your goals, and limit your current efforts to the top two or three so you don't spread yourself too thin.

~Line up support and accountability. Depending on your goals and situation, you may need the help of a friend, family member, coach, therapist, doctor, personal trainer, dietitian, etc.

~Note the obstacles you may encounter so you are prepared to flow around them.

~Start taking excellent care of yourself physically and emotionally so you'll be up to the challenges. Set boundaries with others and eliminate at least one obligation from your schedule that is draining you.

~Prepare your mind with affirmations, imagery, and intentions related to your goals now so they will be firmly set in your mind by the New Year.

Following these suggestions will be one of the best holiday gifts you've ever given yourself!

Please let us all know how it goes by leaving a comment. We can all learn from each other!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. Ask me about my Anti-Hibernation Coaching Special that will be in effect for January and February 2009! Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766.

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

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Dr. Amen's ANT's

I reviewed the book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, by Daniel G. Amen, M.D., in my October 24 post. Today I'd like to focus on one of Dr. Amen's ANT's that he mentions in the book. ANT is his acronym for Automatic Negative Thought. We all have them, and we need to learn to talk back to them.

ANT's go by other names, too. Maybe you've heard them called Negative Self-Talk. In the coaching community, I've heard them called "The Itty Bitty Sh%#ty Committee in Your Head." I love that one...it's a bit longer, but equally memorable! :-)

For this post, I'd like to talk about the ANT that Dr. Amen calls "Fortune Telling." I'll use a little fiction here to convey the idea. Let's suppose there's a woman sitting in a coffee shop waiting to meet a guy she's been corresponding with by email for six weeks. He looks normal in his photo, and there have been no red flags in his daily emails. In fact, he seems to be quite funny and bright.

But as she waits for him to arrive, she gets nervous, and she starts into a downward spiral of Fortune Telling.... Maybe he used someone else's photo. Maybe he's a knuckle-dragging neanderthal male chauvinist pig! Maybe he lied about not owning any reptiles. Who knows what else he'll lie about?? Yikes! That scuzzy guy who just walked in must be him! Thank goodness this place has a back door. I'm outta here!

As you can guess, this woman isn't going to meet many men with her negative predictions for the future!

Check in with yourself. Are you harboring negative predictions for the future? Dr. Amen suggests countering the ANT's with thoughts of the opposite. So our fictional friend might try.... Maybe he's even better-looking in person! In six weeks' worth of emails, he always sounded like a good, honest guy. That's why I agreed to meet him here in the first place. Wow! Here he comes now. I'm glad I got up the nerve to do this!

You get the idea.... :-)

As I mentioned in the book review (10/24 post), be sure to check out Dr. Amen's site at http://www.amenclinics.com to see some amazing functional brain scans!

How do YOU keep the Fortune-Telling ANT's at bay? Please stop by the comments section and let us know!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. 'Looking for some reasonably priced holiday gifts? Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com or 610-385-3766 to inquire about my two products, The Whispering Heart: A Guided Journal for Body, Mind, and Spirit, and Food for Thought: Delicious Quotes on the Law of Attraction [gift-boxed in a pastel Chinese take-out box; includes two fortune cookies; NO ANT's! :-) ].

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

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What We Gain from Losing Our Clutter

My Latest Decluttering Report and Two Resources for You

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I'm Half-Way to My Goal of 100 Clutter-Zapping Hours! I logged 11 hours since my last check-in for a total of 50 hours in 4 months. I've done most of this in 30-minute segments and even some 15-minutes segments (when I'm feeling tired, overwhelmed, or under motivated). Using small blocks of time is key for my success. 50 hours is the equivalent of one work week of 10-hour days. I can confidently say I would not have had success with that format!

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Here's What I'm Gaining as I Lose My Clutter:

~More space to create.

~Visual calm.

~A feeling of being on top of things.

~Order.

~Space for new things to come into my life; room to grow as a person.

~Better organizing habits.

~An opportunity to be a better role model.

~Better energy...for my space and for me. (Four months ago, the bamboo plant on my desk was languishing, despite having adequate sunlight and water. Now it has three new sprouts of growth on it!)

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Check Out These Two Great Sources of Info and Inspiration!

~When Organizing Isn't Enough: SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life, by Julie Morgenstern (hardcover or audiobook). This book is a valuable resource for folks in transition, whether the change is welcome or unwelcome.

~www.RealSimpleRealLife.com This site features inspiring before-and-after photos and practical tips.

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Please drop by the comments section and share your organizing success stories!

Thanks,

Susan

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P.S. This blog has an alter ego! It's my light and inspiring bimonthly snail-mail newsletter, "Susan, Unplugged....Your 'Slow-Tech' Source for Creative and Healthy Living Tips." It's complimentary within the US. To request it, contact me by email, snail-mail, or phone: scleaver@dejazzd.com, P.O. Box 586, Douglassville, PA 19518-0586, USA, or 610-385-3766.

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

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Get the "How" Out of There!

Are you interested in deliberately applying the Law of Attraction, but confused by experts saying that you must let go of "how" you think your intention will manifest? I found a news story that illustrates this point perfectly.

A man named Bobby Guffey from Indiana had been buying state lottery tickets since 1989. From then up until this past August, he had only won about $5,000 in all that time. He clearly had an intention to win, and his "how" was to use the exact same sequence of numbers that had personal meaning to him every time he bought a ticket.

Up to that point, the question, "So, how's that workin' for ya?" may have been met with a scowl from Mr. Guffey! However, one day last August, he forgot his glasses, and he accidentally let go of his "how" by entering one of the digits wrong while buying his ticket.

When he saw his "mistake" later, he went back and bought another ticket for his usual number.

The results? His usual number won him $1,000 that day. Not a bad haul. But the "wrong" ticket won him three million dollars!

Moral of the story: Let go. Trust. And get the "how" out of there!

If you know a story that also illustrates this point, please share it with my readers and me in the comments section. Thanks!

My best to you,
Susan

P.S. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching session by phone or in person. Your responsibilities? Show up or call in on time and bring an open mind!

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

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Removing Creative Brain Blocks: A Book Review

Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Anger, and Impulsiveness by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

Any of the problems listed in the subtitle above can put your creativity out of reach. It's extremely frustrating. You know you have been able to use your creativity in the past, but now you have lost access to that "file" in your brain. This book/audiobook can help.

So, you might ask, how can Dr. Amen deliver on the huge promise that the full title implies? All of these problems can have strong roots in the structure, function, and/or chemical imbalances in the brain. Injuries, such as concussions, or intruders, such as cysts or toxic substances, also play a major role.

Dr. Amen is a clinical neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist. He's an expert on
ADD and the relationship between the brain and the body, and these topics are addressed as well.

The book discusses the use of functional brain scans, medication, therapy, and self-help tips...all potentially helpful to a brain in trouble...that is, a brain that may be getting you into trouble in your work and relationships. Rare among the cases discussed are those that require surgery, such as a cyst in the brain.

To benefit from this book:

*You don't necessarily need a functional brain scan.
*You don't necessarily need to travel to one of Dr. Amen's clinics.
*It's very unlikely that you'll need surgery.
*You won't necessarily need medication...but keep an open mind about the possibility.
*You may not need therapy...but again, don't dismiss the possibility too quickly.
*You might not need a coach, if you're able to benefit from the self-help tips on your own and/or are seeing improvement from one of the other avenues. However, a coach can help with related lifestyle changes. She can also help you decide if you need more help than she can offer, such as therapy and/or evaluation by a psychiatrist.

Amazing functional brain scans can be seen at http://www.amenclinics.com/!

When looking at these scans, keep in mind that they are functional, not structural. The "holes" you'll see on the surface scans are areas where the activity of those parts of the brain was not enough to register on the scan. Prepare to be amazed!

To your creativity,
Susan

P.S. to local folks: email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for info on my Nov. 8 workshop where we'll be making collage crafts for holidays or any days!

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

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My Clutter-Zapping Check-In, Month 3

Well, I'm over a third of the way to my goal of 100 decluttering hours! I have a total of 39 hours since I started on July 10, 2008, and I did 12 of them since my last update on Sept. 9.

I'll keep zapping and checking in monthly till I get those 100 hours! If it's true that "slow and steady wins the race," then I'll be getting a huge trophy when I'm done! :-)

At this rate, that could take another 6 months. That sounds so far away! But I'll just keep focusing on one 30-minute clutter-zapping session at a time...one foot in front of the other, and I'll get there! The Feng Shui in my home and office will be the envy of the neighborhood. :-)

Is anyone out there dealing with this issue, too? Please leave a comment to tell us all what's working for you!

Taking the scenic route,
Susan

P.S. To receive this blog's alter ego, "Susan, Unplugged...Your 'Slow-Tech' Source for Creative and Healthy Living Tips," send your snail-mail address to me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, or by snail-mail at P.O. Box 586, Douglassville, PA 19518-0586. It's complimentary within the US. Outside the states, I'll ask you to pay the postage only. I think you'll find it to be light-hearted and inspiring!

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

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A Coach's-Eye View of "The Opus" Movie

Attention, Law of Attraction Fans! Have you seen the film called, "The Opus: From Vision to Plan to Performance," by Douglas Vermeeren? It's designed to pick up where "The Secret" movie, by Rhonda Byrne, left off...with more detail about the inspired action steps that Dr. Joe Vitali talks about in "The Secret."

Although with fewer details about quantum physics than were in the "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" (by Mark Vicente, Betsy Chasse, and William Arntz), "The Opus" covers some of the same ideas in its own way. "The Opus" also uses a similar structure, with a story line weaving together the practical meaning of the advice and stories of the experts shown in the film.

The Experts: Here's a list of some of my favorite experts from "The Opus." (Most of these folks were also in "The Secret," but there are many in "The Opus" that were new to me, also.)

• Jack Canfield
• Dr. Joe Vitali
• Morris Goodman
• Dr. John Dimartini
• Bob Doyle
• Mark Victor Hansen

Where "The Opus" Shines: Some critics of "The Secret" said that it seemed to be directed to a self-centered and materialistic audience. I have to agree, but I looked past that because I think it's very important to get the message of the Law of Attraction (like attracts like in our lives) out there.

"The Opus," however, has avoided that pitfall. It focuses more on the altruistic side of manifestation, including intentionally reaching out to others and giving them the nudge they need to reach their own highest goals.

"Tell Me More!" Go to http://www.owntheopus.com/ for more info. Enjoy!

Contact Me for Assistance with the Development of Your Life's "Opus." You can reach me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to set up a complimentary trial coaching session (by phone or in person). I look forward to talking with you!

Be well,

Susan

P.S. for local folks: Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for more info on my two October workshops....

• Vision and Discovery Boards ~~ Thursday, October 16, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• Put Off Procrastination ~~ Saturday, October 25, 10:00 am to 12 noon

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

Featured Artist: Wilfriede Axsmith, Silk Painter

I love wearable art! So every spring when I head to a local craft show in Chester County, PA, I always look forward to visiting the booth of The Silken Garb and its creator, silk painter Wilfriede Axsmith!

In her warm and helpful way, Wilfriede has helped me pick out at least four pieces of her art for my wardrobe. The breezy style of her painting and the flowing nature of the garments make me feel like a free spirit!

Wilfriede's pieces always garner compliments, and her pieces are so distinctive that those who know her work can recognize it immediately.

I can certainly relate to Wilfriede's style of working. She says, "In my work I create my own safe haven. I love texture, color, and unexpected designs...." She follows these elements to the completion of the piece without imposing a particular structure on it.

Wilfriede and I also share several values: life-long learning, reading, self-care, experimenting, and loving our work!

Wilfriede says, "Germany in those days was a different world," when she left it to come to the US in 1963. Even though her father was an artist, Wilfriede was busy dealing with culture shock and working as a tailor to help put her three daughters through college. She didn't see herself as an artist during that time.

Designing one-of-a-kind dolls after 20 years as a tailor sparked her transition into art. Several years later, Wilfriede went on to become a silk painter, which required much study to learn about using the dyes and other techniques.

Finally she had found her true calling! Wilfriede then took "...advanced classes with nationally known silk painters and artists...." Today she is a juried member of the Reading-Berks Chapter of the PA Guild of Craftsmen.

Wilfriede's techniques include Batik (a wax resist process), Shibori, a special folding and pleating technique, or using the Gutta Serti technique, which involves steam-setting of the dyes. For her "canvas" she uses light-weight China Silk, Silk-Rayon Velvet, or something in between, depending on the character of the piece she's creating.

Wilfriede faces the same challenges as many other artists: pressure, deadlines, and fear of losing her creativity. "Being discouraged at times is part of the process," she reassures us. "I have also come to realize and accept that it is okay to have my work rejected at times. I often learn and try a different approach and always try to remember what is really important in my life."

Wilfriede's upcoming shows are at: Peters Valley, NJ, on Sept. 27 and 28; PA Guild of Craftsmen at Montgomery County Community College, Oct. 18 and 19; Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen on Nov. 1 and 2; North Penn, Lansdale, PA, Nov. 22.

For Wilfriede's contact info, please see www.rbcrafts.org/listings/axsmith.htm. Many thanks to Wilfriede for being willing to be my latest featured artist!

Sincerely,
Susan

P.S. Feel free to suggest future featured artists!

P.P.S. Please let me know by tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 19, if you're interested in the Fall Sweep Dig-In Tele-Party. Just go to http://www.seminarannouncer.com/ for more info and a convenient place to sign up. Thanks!

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

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Month Two: Clutter-Zapping Report

Here's my progress since my last clutter-busting update on August 11. Yikes! I only did 13 more hours! Add that to my total for Month One, and I have a total of 27 hours. But since I set my goal at 100 hours in three months (starting July 10), I'd need to have about twice this many hours done in order to be keeping pace with that commitment!

I'll do my best to make good on my commitment. If I don't reach 100 hours by my next report on October 11, I will continue to make monthly reports until I do!

I have been keeping the task in front of me in writing every day. I don't feel that I've gotten distracted or that I've lost my motivation. But I do know one place I went wrong: I over-promised! Realistically, with everything else I have going on, 100 hours in 3 months might not work. It's starting to look like 50 hours would have been a worthy challenge but more doable.

Do you have trouble getting real about how long something will take or how much time you'll have to fit it in? Optimism is great, but leave a margin for error in your calculations, especially if you have someone chomping at the bit for your results. I'm trying to remember to under-promise and over-deliver. You can reduce your stress greatly if you work on developing this habit, too!

Not all is lost, though. There's a lot to be said for incremental improvement. And the simple fact is that I'm getting more hours in than I would have if I hadn't made this public commitment. Also, setting up this sort of step-by-step challenge for myself drives home the point for me that these hours do add up over time, and my office and home look better for it. And I feel better!

Do I have any fellow clutter-zappers out there? Please fill us all in on your progress and/or obstacles!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. To receive the alter ego to this blog, called "Susan, Unplugged...Your 'Slow-Tech' Source for Creative and Healthy Living Tips," with my compliments, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, by phone (610-385-3766), or by snail-mail (Susan Cleaver, P.O. Box 586, Douglassville, PA, USA, 19518-0586) with your snail-mail address. If you live outside the continental US, I'll ask you to cover the cost of the postage. Thanks! I think you'll enjoy the light and inspiring tone of the newsletter.

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

Be Aware of the Influence of Others on Your Life and Creativity

Book Review: The Power of People: Four Kinds of People Who Can Change Your Life (c), by Verna Cornelia Price, PhD., JCAMA Publishers (c), http://www.jcama.com/.


I'll start with a quote from another reviewer of this book, Dr. Myles Munroe, who says it's "...for anyone who desires to navigate safely and effectively through the sea of human personalities on their way to their destiny." I agree, and I find it particularly helpful for those of us who have, are, or want to become creative mentors.


Dr. Price discusses two types of people that can affect you very positively, how to recognize them, how to relate to them, and how you can develop these traits in yourself to have a meaningful effect on others. She also discusses two types who can have a very negative affect on you, how to recognize and handle them, and how to avoid developing similar unsavory traits in yourself. Dr. Price calls the four types Adders, Subtracters, Dividers, and Multipliers.


What You'll Want to Know about Adders


*Adders are sincere and altruistic cheerleaders for you and your goals.

*They see your potential and help you reach it, if you let them.

*They're essential to our growth!

*Always show your appreciation to the Adders in your life.

*Adders know the power of words and carefully use them to affect you positively.

*They take goals, habits, and visions seriously (yours and theirs), and so they budget their time carefully.

*They won't waste time on a resistant benefactor; instead, they will move on to someone more likely to seize the moment for being helped.

*They're life-long learners who are looking to help other life-long learners.

*Being around adders will help you become one yourself!


Subtracters: "Misery Loves Company"


*Subtracters seek to level the playing field by dragging you down to what they perceive as their level.

*They attempt to plant doubt in your mind about your own abilities.

*They come to you for help over and over as their thoughts and behaviors attract more problems to them.

*If you want to see a blank stare from a Subtracter, ask: "Who would you be without your problems?" Chances are they have no clue and are afraid to find out!

*They use guilt to manipulate others.

*Subtracters are like "black holes," sucking away your energy and focus.

*They can poison your outlook on life.

*Subtracters are threatened by your good habits, and will attempt to dismantle them.

*They may pose as a resource while they are actually draining you of your personal power.

*You must protect yourself by calling them on their antics or "run like the wind"!

*Don't underestimate the damage that a Subtracter can do to your life and your dreams!

*In short, Subtracters are users who feel like losers!


Dangerous Dividers


*A Divider is a toxic mix of user and control freak.

*Dividers use distraction as a way to strip you of your vision.

*They are acting out of their own insecurities.

*Dividers step way out of line with what they think they are entitled to, including the right to dismantle your life for their own benefit!

*They are two-faced and provide you with only the information they want you to know.

*Dividers are very difficult to disentangle yourself from; they may even lash out in some way.

*They come between you and your friends and mentors, especially the ones who are Adders or Multipliers.

*Dividers want to design your life and take credit for your progress. (If you're lucky enough to make any progress when enmeshed with a Divider!)

Multipliers: Turbo-Charged Adders!


*Multipliers are comfortable in their own skin and with their own accomplishments.

*They make amazing coaches and mentors!

*Multipliers can come from any walk of life, and they are not concerned about what positions you hold. Rather, they are looking at your attitude and potential.

*Multipliers will, like teachers, "work themselves out of a job." Don't be surprised if they proudly send you off on your own and look for another to help.

*They know intuitively who they can best help. If you feel passed by, wait patiently for the Multiplier who is the right fit for you.

*Multipliers believe in you enough to stick their necks out for you.

*Dr. Price has named the Multipliers who help you along one step at a time "Escalator Multipliers." On the other hand, "Elevator Multipliers" are looking for those who are ready and able to ascend now, and who will know how to conduct themselves when they get there.

In this book, Dr. Price will show you how to be comfortable with your own personal power!

Sincerely,

Susan

P.S. Upcoming Tele-Party: Monday, Sept. 22, 7 to 9 pm Eastern, "Fall Sweep Dig-In." See http://www.seminarannouncer.com for details or email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

Local Events: "Reiki for Rookies," Sept. 20, 10 am to noon Eastern; email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. Come experience and learn about this amazingly simple and relaxing energy practice!

Contact me at the same email for details about the " "Stress-Less Evening" on Sept. 26, 7 to 9 pm Eastern. Kick back and relax as I provide Reiki, soothing music, nurturing snacks, guided imagery, and more!

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

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The Foundation of Patience

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks,
Susan

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

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

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My 100-Hour Clutter-Zapping Report, Month One

As I promised in my June 10 post, here's an update on my first month of my 100-hour clearing and organizing challenge! I've worked 14 hours on it so far...not too bad considering I was gone for a week, but I will need to pick up the pace for the next two months.

Shortly after I got into the project, I realized that I needed to tweak the details slightly. It still adds up to 100 hours of work in three months, but it's a simpler, clearer, more practical way to state the goal. It's more motivating and flexible to say, "I'll do 100 hours in 3 months," rather than "2 hours per day on 50 days out of the next three months."

You'll probably find this to be true when you set a challenge for yourself, too, if you haven't already. Plans are great; they get us moving and motivated and offer structure. As you get into action, though, you may need to make some modifications.

Also in setting up the details on July 10, I mentioned that I need to develop an easy way to maintain the systems and level of order I'm creating. I think the easiest way for me is to figure in 6 hours a week of the same thing I'm doing now as a maintenance schedule that I'll start as soon as I'm done this challenge on October 10.

As with dieting, this maintenance schedule will have to be a permanent lifestyle change for me. I believe it'll be worth it! And by then it'll be a habit, and it will seem easy compared to doing 100 hours in three months!

When I hosted my last Dig-In Tele-Party on June 28, I cleaned out my office, and I'm happy to say that this 100-hour challenge has helped me keep it neat for 1 and 1/2 months now while I'm also working on other areas of my home. (See the P.S. below for info on the next Dig-In Tele-Party.)

Generally I've been working on the challenge in 30-minute segments so I don't feel overwhelmed. This has helped me in other ways, too. It's easier to set aside time for a 30-minute sweep, so when I see a messy area, it doesn't drag me down so much. I know I'll probably have a chance to work on it soon, probably that same day, for at least a little while.

I set a timer for these 30-minute clutter-zapping sessions, and that helps me reframe the task. Instead of seeing clutter, turning my head, and saying "Ugh!", I'm actually looking for areas to tackle, and it becomes more like a game and provides focus!

What does all of this have to do with our creativity? More than you might think! We clean up for other visitors, so why not for our Muses...and ourselves?

If you like the idea of improving the Feng Shui in your home, office, and/or studio, clutter-zapping is a great place to start! Clutter causes stagnant energy that zaps your energy and tends to keep your Muse away.

What about you? Have you committed to a plan that will move you forward in some area of your life? Please leave a comment about your progress so we can cheer you on!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. I have two tele-parties slated! The first one is the "Do What You Love" Tele-Party on August 15. See my August 4 post for details or contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

The second tele-party is the "Fall Sweep Dig-In Tele-Party" for zapping clutter or other tasks that you want to get off your plate. It's on the first day of fall, September 22, from 7:00 to 9:00 Eastern. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com by September 19, and I'll make sure you get the phone number and the access code.

For both tele-parties, your only expense is your long-distances charges for the brief check-in calls. My hosting of the tele-parties is complimentary!

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

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The Synergy of Your Personal Resources

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


Apply this list of personal resources to your situation:


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

Time

Space (mental and physical)

Energy (mental and physical)

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

Money

Earning Potential

Creativity

Intuition

Inspiration

Information

Education

Training

Talents

Strengths

Experience

Health

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

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

Thanks,
Susan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your soul will thank you!

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

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

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Why Working from Home Works for Sensitive Creatives

Creative folks often fall into the category of high sensitivity. I've mentioned it in other posts, but to get the whole story, see The Highly Sensitive Person, by Elaine Aron, PhD.

Meanwhile, here are my reasons, as a highly sensitive person, that I find having my "headquarters" at home to be good for my head...and the rest of me, too!

Environment
Highly Sensitive People usually experience their sensitivity in just about any way you can think of it. This includes sound, weather, indoor temperature, good or bad Feng Shui, energy coming from others, sights, textures, emotions, physical sensations, information overload, interaction overload, smells, tastes, and the effects of hunger or pushing themselves too hard.

Working mostly from home gives us much more control over these issues. This really helps, because most people in the more common sensory mode do not understand why we even have these issues. How can they, until the concept of high sensitivity is explained to them? It's simply not in their experience. So don't hold it against them. Just do what you need to do for your self-care.

Pace
Because sensitive people take things in at such a deep level, we have a lot more processing to do. This can cause us to respond, adjust, and/or work more slowly than others.

Remember those standardized, timed tests we took in school? I never saw the end of any of them! I simply can't sort that much info that fast, not to mention simultaneously handling random data coming in through my thoughts or senses! I do not have a "standardized" mind! That was in the 60's and 70's, when accommodations for differences were in their infancy.

By working from home I can make my own accommodations and set my own pace, even if it means it'll take me longer to get done. Rushing only compounds the problem, so I plan ahead to avoid that as much as possible.

Solitude
If sensitive people can work in reasonable solitude at home, so much the better. Not everyone has that luxury, but maybe you can arrange some time for solitude by asking for help from supportive family members or friends.

Flexibility
As you can see, the flexibility of working from home can help with all three of the issues I've mentioned above. Just be sure that you keep your trait of high sensitivity in mind when you are your own boss. Don't fall into the trap of making working from home just as difficult for yourself (or even more so) than working elsewhere. You can have better control over your environment, pace, and amount of solitude, so use your flexibility to make sure you do!

One way that I'm doing this is by controlling the level of clutter and disarray in my environment, as I wrote about in my last post, on July 10. If you missed it, please check it out!

Thanks,
Susan

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

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

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Structure and Accountability Trump Will Power!

I know that my creativity needs elbow room, and that keeping my home and office environments in an organized state that is pleasing to me is good Feng Shui. But maintaining the level of organization that I want has always been a challenge for me. I'm doing better, but I still have times when I get really frustrated with myself around this.

Not only will I have a better chance of succeeding if I report my project and progress here on the blog, but you can use it for an example for creating your own way to accomplish what you want to do.

So here's my plan. I know that structure and accountability trump will power. So here's where you come in. I've set forth a three-month challenge for myself and I'm "going public" with it here for accountability. I'll report my progress on this blog once a month during the project: Monday, August 11, Wednesday, Sept. 10, and, finally, Friday, Oct. 11. There! Now I've put myself on the hook, but in a good way! :-) I trust you'll post nudging comments if I slip up!

Here are the details of my plan: For 50 days out of those three months, I'll invest 2 hours daily on the clearing, organizing, and optimizing of my immediate indoor environments (home and office). I also need to find ways to easily maintain the systems/environments I create. Please come back to cheer on my efforts (or to frown upon my slip-ups)!

What are you not moving along steadily/quickly enough that you could use some accountability, structure, and support around? I invite you to make a plan and write it in the comments section so that we can all be there for you! We'll all learn from it!

Thanks,
Susan

P.S. To receive the alter ego to this blog, "Susan, Unplugged...Your 'Slow-Tech' Source for Creative and Healthy Living Tips," with my compliments, just send your snail-mail address to me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. If you live outside the continental US, I'll ask you to cover the cost of the postage.

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

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The Way of the Creative...Terrier?

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

She is...

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

Her joyful way of living is her art form!

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

Thanks,

Susan

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

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

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Talking to Volleyballs and Beyond

This post ties into my last topic (June 2), about imagination and journaling, even though I didn't plan it that way. So much the better! I credit my subconscious with much of what ends up here on my blog, anyway. :-)

Remember Tom Hanks' character in the movie "Cast Away," who was stranded alone on a deserted island? Taking on an imaginary friend (in his case it was a volleyball, animated only by his imagination) was probably the sanest thing he could have done! Refer back to my June 2 post for more about imaginary friends and how this helpful psychological tool grows with us and shows up in different forms at different stages of our lives.

If you remember the details of the movie, you'll recall one conversation in particular that Hanks' character, Chuck, had with the volleyball that saved his life. Chuck was preparing to commit suicide, when he imagined the ball (whom he named Wilson) advising him to test his method of demise first. He did so, and after the test clearly failed, Chuck had a change of heart and decided to focus on staying alive instead.

On the movie site, http://www.imdb.com/, Wilson the Volleyball is listed as a character, played by himself. :-) He even has a short bio on the site! He's also mentioned in the awards list for the film. The Broadcast Film Critics Association named him "Best Inanimate Object" for 2001, while the Teen Choice Awards recognized Wilson and Tom Hanks for their on-screen "chemistry"! MTV Movie Awards nominated Hanks and Wilson for "Best On-Screen Team."

Most of us who have had imaginary friends in some form have had ones without movie credits, but they may have served an important function in our personal lives, as they did for Chuck.

The whole concept reminds me of Gestalt Therapy (see my June 2 post), but Chuck didn't have a name for it. He just developed his relationship with Wilson in a seemingly spontaneous way that his instincts led him toward to safeguard his sanity and clarify his thinking. He even had arguments with Wilson, and complained to him about the "laxative effect" of coconut milk! :-)

Maybe your "Wilson" is your journal or what you call your Muse. In any case, never underestimate the power of the imagination. As Einstein said, it's "more important than knowledge." And Einstein did all right for himself!

Imagining the best for you,
Susan

P.S. Two quick reminders:

*'Didn't quite get to your spring cleaning before spring slipped away? Join us in tele-space for the complimentary Summer Cleaning Dig-In Tele-Party this Saturday, June 28, from 9 am to noon Eastern. Contact me by Friday at scleaver@dejazzd.com for the call-in codes and more info.

*This blog now has an alter ego! No, I don't call it Wilson! :-) It's my snail-mail newsletter called "Susan, Unplugged...Your 'Slow-Tech' Source for Creative and Healthy Living Tips." It's complimentary in the continental US; elsewhere I'll ask you to pay for the postage only. Contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com and give me your snail-mail address to receive this light and informative newsletter. Thanks for being part of my self-development and learning community!

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

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A Sign of Creativity That's Often Overlooked

Did you have imaginary friends as a child? If so, chances are you've grown into an intelligent, creative adult! Imaginary friends are not a prerequisite for high IQ and creativity, but they are one way that children express these traits.

We use imaginary friends to help us navigate our unfamiliar worlds: the one inside our heads and the one around us. As we get older, the friends sometimes show up as entities such as "Kitty", to whom Anne Frank wrote her journal.

I often use journaling as a way to dialogue with my subpersonalities, or "masks." It's amazingly effective! In Gestalt therapy, a similar technique is employed orally, with the client changing seats each time the speaker changes. It gets to information that we can't can't access while thinking in our everyday patterns, which is why we go into therapy in the first place!

Also as adults, we tend to pick role models that we haven't even met, and ask ourselves, "What would Oprah do?" or "What would Bill Gates do?" Writers of fiction know they've hit the mark in character development when the characters start to take on what seems like lives and minds of their own. My guess is that this is made possible by our subpersonalities, too.

The ability to imagine others and/or others' responses in given situations should be celebrated! It's a wonderful gift from the muse and from our inner healer that can serve us well throughout life!

Be well,

Susan

P.S. Whether you live around the globe or around the corner, you can email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for a complimentary trial tele-coaching session!

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

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Finding a Great Coach

Many coaches offer complimentary trial sessions. Here are some things to listen for when deciding if the coach is competent and if he/she is the right fit for you.

• He walks his talk. Is he displaying the qualities that you wish to develop in yourself?
• She is a life-long learner and is constantly developing herself further.
• Do you feel a rapport with the coach?
• A great coach will constructively help you see your blind spots.
• He will help you figure out who you need to become in order to reach your goal.
• She will point out when your tone of voice, etc., do not match what you are saying.
• He will help you see signs in yourself that are coming from unrecognized sources, ie., signs of burn-out or a life that's not in line with your values.
• A great coach does not do the work for you. She can guide, inspire, and encourage you, but the goals, strategies, and action plans must come from you in order to be right for you.
• She understands the holistic nature of life and will help you work through the obstacles in the other areas that are blocking you from your goals.
• He will propose challenges for you to accept, reject, or modify.

You may not see all of these displayed in one session, but this list can help you clarify what you're looking for in a coach, whether for creativity coaching or coaching in other areas.

If you'd like to try a complimentary session with me, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com, and we can set up a tele-coaching session about creativity or most anything else!

Be well,

Susan

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

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You've Come a Long Way, Baby Boomer!

Calling all baby boomers whose teachers told you to be seen and not heard as kids...it's time to be seen and heard and to use your talents and creativity to make a positive difference for yourselves and others!

Go for it! Step up to the metaphorical (and/or real) microphone and boom it out, baby! :-)

Please keep us up to date and inspired with field reports of your booming adventures in the comments section. Thanks!

A fellow boomer,

Susan

P.S. Last call for the Spring Cleaning Dig-In Tele-Party! Email me today at scleaver@dejazzd.com for the access numbers. See my May 8 post for details!

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

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Take Pride in Your Creative Quirks

Below are eight phrases that have been used to describe me. They all come from family, friends, and professionals who hold me in high esteem despite my quirks!

• "refreshingly not normal"
• "an imp"
• "a rebel"
• "not exactly demure and submissive"
• "a dreamer"
• "easily distracted"
• "ornery as cat sh#@"
• "hard headed"

I appreciate the fact that the important people in my life honor me with these descriptors. These are some of the characteristics that make me who I am as an actively creative person and coach!

I encourage you to take pride in your quirks, too! Please share them with us in the comments section. And remember, I'm the only one who's allowed to swear on this site! :-)

Proudly,

Susan

Around the Globe and Around the Corner.... Upcoming Events

Spring Cleaning Dig-In Tele-Party ~~ Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

It's time to roll up our sleeves and clear decks before the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer," as the song says. (Yes, I'm old enough to remember that song!)

Call in from your home or office, wherever that may be! Brief check-ins via teleconference technology will take place at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Savings Time). During the calls we will share our clean-out goals and progress for each hour. The 9:00 call is for celebrating!

Your only expense is your long-distance charges for calling into the teleconference service. I'm facilitating the tele-party free of charge! Just email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com by Tuesday, May 13, 2008, and I'll make sure you get the access numbers.

Even if it's not spring in your part of the world, join us anyway. Clearing out the old to make room for the new feels great at any season of the year!

Stress-Less Evening ~~ Friday, May 30, 2008, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Eastern DST

For those of you in the greater Philadelphia and Reading, PA, areas....

Kick back and relax while I provide Reiki, soothing music, guided imagery, pampering snacks, and more!

Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com soon for details, because you'll need to get your registration fee of $20 US to me by Wednesday, May 21, 2008. I hope you can join us!

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

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Networking for Creative Folks

Do you hate networking meetings? Do they feel forced and unnatural to you? Would you rather spend your time coming up with five leads for yourself instead of your leads group?

I think that creative types in particular often don't find these groups to be a good fit for them. So, what other avenues are open to us? We can try...

*Cultivating our patrons as cheerleaders, and giving them lots of value in return.

*Blogging regularly.

*Commenting on the blogs of others that genuinely interest us.

*Teaching workshops.

*Writing a newsletter.

*Starting a website, and writing articles for other websites.

*Alerting friend, students, and colleagues that we are looking for connections.

*Building a community around a common interest (on the web and/or locally).

*Volunteering in related fields.

*Providing referral incentives.

*Writing ebooks.

*Providing truly helpful freebies and resources.


Please add to the list by leaving a comment!

Thanks,

Susan

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

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

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Great Leadership Resources!

You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader: How Anyone, Anywhere, Can Make a Positive Difference, by Mark Sanborn

Don't get hung up on labels and official titles. It just takes some thinking outside the box to be the kind of leader you want to be to make the positive change you want to make. (See my April 18, 2008, post on creative leadership.)

As I mentioned last week, a title will not sustain you if do not have the true heart of a leader. This book will help you get past the window dressing of leadership and into its core meaning for you. Sanborn has modeled this beautifully for us by writing this book!


The Leadership Resources of Steven R. Covey

Here are the ones I'm most familiar with:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (book or audio)

In last week's post, I talked about building a strong foundation for your leadership. This is an excellent resource for doing that.


Beyond the 7 Habits (audio of a live workshop; includes a CD-ROM video with stories to drive home the important messages)

This audio expands on the 7 Habits in an engaging format.


The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness (audio or book)

I recommend that you get the full-length version of the book or CD. The short version doesn't do justice to Covey's ideas.

This book is about two very important aspects of leadership: developing your voice as a leader, and showing others how to develop theirs!

Happy reading and listening,
Susan

P.S. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com with your US snail-mail address to receive Susan, Unplugged, my new complimentary newsletter that will brighten your day the old-fashioned way...via snail-back!

For those of you already on my mailing list, Susan, Unplugged will come crawling to you automatically!

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

Creative Leadership Is...

Vision Driven

As a visionary, you are aiming at a target that others don't see yet, so you'll need to be inner directed, patient, and persistent. Also, you'll need to create a scene of the vision in the hearts and minds of your early adopters. (I prefer that term over the word "followers.") Be sure they can see, hear, and feel it in their imaginations. This is the basis for creative leadership that is...

Integrative

Genuine holistic concern for your early adopters is essential in order for them to be 100% "there" (i.e. "whole") for you. Get their minds, bodies, spirits, and emotions on board. Offer them access to coaching, and hire one for yourself. You may even consider coach training for yourself and/or others. Coaching skills are wonderful tools for the creative leader!

Give your early adopters compelling reasons to develop their own intrinsic motivation to stay with you in body, mind, and spirit. If you try to lean on just your credentials or, worse yet, just a title, these crutches will snap like dry twigs and leave you sitting in the dust! Help your early adopters grow, and they will return the favor, because creative leadership is...

Inter-Developmental

Through working with your early adopters, you will change and benefit from the synergy of the group. See them as your partners. Model behaviors for them that they can take out into the world on behalf of your vision.

Positive regard, support, and affirmation should be allowed to flow freely from you and to you within the group. Seek out the valuable resources of your early adopters for manifesting your vision.

Learn to read the energy of your team in action, and use this information for morale maintenance. Tune in so you'll know when the energy of the group is dragging. Change the pace or tone of the group's activity accordingly, and reframe vague or uninspiring aspects of the project at hand.

Encourage buy-in from your early adopters by getting them involved in the development of goals, strategies, mission statements, and the like. If you've empowered your team sufficiently, you won't fall into the trap of micro-managing. Save your shepherding for the...

Sacred Stewardship of Your Vision

Your early adopters will help you with this stewardship if you let them. You and your team are a collective, protective vessel for your precious, embryonic vision!

Keep the vessel sound by maintaining and encouraging impeccable integrity (yes, "wholeness" again) and authenticity. Nurture your vision by providing it with a firm foundation for the collective vessel...physically, emotionally, spiritually, and environmentally. Coaching can help tremendously with this, too. Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for details about a complimentary session!

Once this foundation is in place, you are free to be...

Flexible

You'll be ready to turn on a dime when you need to. (See my April 1, 2008 post.)

If you and your team act on your inspired ideas at the point of 75% certainty, you'll need to be ready for rapid course adjustments as the actions bring you closer and closer to 100% manifestation. It will also keep you out of the trap of waiting around for 100% certainty, which is a much bigger risk, because you just can't get there from here without inspired action. So go ahead and follow your intuition to the fullest manifestation of your vision!

My best to you,
Susan

P.S. To those in the greater Philly, PA, area: Registration closes on Monday, April 28, for my Advanced Journaling Workshop that will be taking place on Sunday, May 4. Please email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for details.

If you're a journaling fanatic like me, but you can't be at the workshop, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for details about ordering my guided journal, "The Whispering Heart." Thanks!

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

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When Opportunity Knocks....

Will you have the flexibility to turn on a dime when opportunity knocks? Check your supplies of these resources:

• Time
• Space
• Energy
• Attention
• Enthusiasm
• Clear-Headedness
• Money
• Personal Boundaries
• Self-Confidence
• Self-Esteem
• Willingness to Move Forward Through Fear
• Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Health
• Tolerance for Ambiguity
• Environmental Support Systems, Including People
• Awareness of Opportunities
• Patience
• Inner-Directedness, for Deflecting Nay-Sayers and Stereotypes

I suggest that you print this list out and review it often, so you are always prepared when great opportunities come along. If you can think of more resources that I missed, please add them in the comments section!

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. To those in the greater Philadelphia, PA, area: I'll be leading an Advanced Journaling Workshop on Sunday, May 4, from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Please email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com for more details.

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

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What's Holding You Back?

Check out these creativity squashers and their corresponding remedies:

Creativity Squashers-----------------Creativity Accelerators

"Yeah, but...."--------------------------"What if...."

"It hasn't been done before...."-------"Then I'll have to be first!"

"It's all been done before."-----------------"I'll find a new twist!"

Motivation from outside you.--------------Motivation from inside.

Too much or too little structure.-----------Just enough structure to-----------------------------------------------------hang your thoughts on.

Depression.-------------------------------Strong emotional health.

Anger or resentment.---------------------Forgiveness and letting go.

Fear.-------------------------------------Do it anyway.

Trying to please everyone.------------Being authentic.

Hidden pay-offs for staying stuck.-----Expose them and weigh them------------------------------------------------against the pay-offs-----------------------------------------------------------for letting yourself be creative.

Burn-out.--------------------------------Self-care.

Ignore your intuition.-------------------Invite your intuition.

Standard outlining.---------------------Tony Buzan's Mind Maps (R).

Perfectionism.--------------------------Self-acceptance.

Striving.---------------------------------Playfulness.

Having something to prove.-----------Having something to discover.


So go out and discover! What if...?

Please keep my other readers and me posted on your progress!

Be well,
Susan

P.S. To those in the greater Philadelphia, PA, area:

On Saturday, April 12, I'll be exhibiting and offering free Reiki samples at the Boyertown Community Health and Wellness Fair from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The fair will be held at the Boyertown Area Sr. High School, 120 Monroe Street. And there is no charge to attend! Stop by my table to chat, pick up some info on "stressing less," and try some Reiki!

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

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Two Great Books for the Creativity in All of Us

Both of these books remind us, right on their back covers, that you don't have to be an Artist with a capital "A" to benefit from these books. I'm pleased to recommend them here because I feel the same way about this blog!

Living Your Life Out Loud: How to Unlock Your Creativity and Unleash Your Joy by Salli Rasberry and Padi Selwyn

Specifically, the back cover says, "Creativity is not just for artists--it's everyone's birthright." I agree!

Who could resist a book with such chapter subtitles as, "Write Yourself a Play Prescription Today," and "The Thirty-Minute Breakation"? Here's my favorite quote from the book:

"The path to joy comes from creative expression. When you make the time and space to harness the energy in your life, you can begin to express your unique creativity. Your joy will increase. Your confidence will grow. Your life will be transformed. You will be living your life out loud."

Marry Your Muse: Making a Lasting Commitment to Your Creativity by Jan Phillips

The back cover says, "...everyone who wants to live life as a work of art will find inspiration and practical suggestions in this joyous book."

Here are a few of the inspiring chapter titles:

• You Are Worth the Time
• Giving the Artist Within Half a Chance
• Start Anyway
• The Little Wise Ones
• The Art of Activism
• Pass the Stardust, Please

And from this book, my favorite quote:

"To live creatively is to live from the soul, to shape our circumstances out of our deepest desires instead of conforming our dreams to the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Once we experience the joy and power of creating our own lives, we find that creating in other arenas comes naturally, an outflow of the abundant energy that comes with being true to our essence."

Please comment on your experiences with these books, with living creatively, or with other relevant resources you have found useful. Thanks!

Happy reading,

Susan

P.S. I offer complimentary trial tele-coaching sessions by phone, one per person. To set one up, contact me at scleaver@dejazzd.com. Creativity is my specialty, but most other topics are welcome, too, such as dealing with transitions, starting a new project, etc.

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

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Remember "Max Headroom"?

Max was a computer-generated TV character who sounded like he needed a defrag. Sometimes I feel like my head needs a defrag! How can we restore our "maximum headroom" with all that's going on up there?

May I suggest some recycling? For example, process:

• worry into actionable concern
• anger into corrective action
• guilt into remediation
• doubt into reasonable risk
• judgments into observations
• willy-nilly distractions into a queue to be handled during your lower-energy times of the day
• low-priority tasks into delegatable, delayable, or deletable tasks

Please leave us a comment if you're making "headway" with your "headroom", and how that creates space for your creativity to flourish!

Thanks,

Susan

P.S. to folks in Southeastern PA: My workshop topics for the next two weeks are "Simplifying Your Life, "Making Discovery Boards," and "Embracing Imperfection." Follow this link to the Boyertown Arts & Activities Alliance: http://www.boyertownpa.org/News/1-23.AAA-Activities-nwMFT_37.aspx for details!

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

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A Valentine's Gift for Your Creativity

Well, Intrepid Creators, February is here ... the month of hearts and flowers and turning our attention to our romantic relationship if we have one. If so, I hope this relationship supports your creativity. But what if it doesn't, or what if you're between relationships at the moment?

Regardless of your relationship status with another, when it comes to supporting your creativity, how you relate to yourself is always of utmost importance. Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have clarity around my values? Are those values reflected in how I live and what I create?

Do I feel and display a sense of authenticity? If not, why not? Is it because of a fear of criticism? Is it because your persona has hardened into a mask, making difficult for even you to recognize your true self?

Do you allow yourself some solitude each week, when you can meditate, journal, collage, or just stare out the window?

I know these are tough questions, and the needed changes that may be implied by some of your answers could take some work. Hang in there anyway, just as you would with a romantic relationship that's important to you. Your creativity will thank you in ways that will long outlast candy and flowers!

My best to you,
Susan

P.S. to those of you in Southeastern PA: Please check out this site for details about several workshops I'll be teaching in February and March for the Boyertown Arts & Activities Alliance: http://www.boyertownpa.org/News/1-23.AAA-Activities-nwMFT_37.aspx!

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

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The Amazing Dr. Maisel!

Who are the role models for your creative role models? Chances are, one of them is Eric Maisel, Ph.D. He's a creativity coach with a psychotherapist's background who has written over 30 books (fiction and nonfiction). How does he do it? I suspect it has to do with what he calls his "innate wackiness"!

I'll give you a quick look at just three of his many books on creativity. All three of these include great exercises.

The Creativity Book: A Year's Worth of Inspiration and Guidance

For me, following the weekly format of the book would be like eating only one corn chip a week. I gobbled up the whole book within a few weeks!

Here's one of my favorite quotes from the closing paragraph of the book: "I pray that you couple your creative efforts with the other elements of a life worth living: intimate relating and compassionate action in the world."

A Life in the Arts: Practical Guidance and Inspiration for Creative and Performing Artists

This workbook addresses practical considerations that you might see in other creativity books, such as combining art and business, but Maisel also covers the grittier topics that we don't like to think about. These are topics such as depression, anxiety, isolation, and rage. I can tell you from personal experience how grateful many artists will be to see these issues covered so openly!

In this book, Maisel also covers a topic that I haven't seen anywhere else, and that is, how does a person leave (or scale back on) the arts if needed or desired. The reason could be physical, as with an injured dancer, or emotional, as with a case of burn-out. Whatever the reason, Maisel spells out a plan for easing your way out and dealing with the feelings of loss that go with it.

Fearless Creating: A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting and Completing Your Work of Art

The coach in me found Maisel's explanation of appropriate and inappropriate clarity to be of particular interest.

If you've been actively creative for any length of time, you know that anxiety can't be ignored; it must be dealt with. The Appendix on "Anxiety Management Strategies" in this book provides many useful techniques for dealing with anxiety before, during, and after the creative process.

Check Out Dr. Maisel's site at http://www.ericmaisel.com/!

My best to you,
Susan

P.S. Last call for complimentary email support (once a week for four weeks) for your 2008 resolutions! Email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com to get started.

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

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Check Out This Beautiful New Site!

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about a very talented and savvy photographer, Kylene Cleaver. (Yes, she is related to me!) I've been saving it to post upon the launch of her new site, www.leaveittomephotography.com. And now is the time!

Blogger puts my posts in the order I write them rather than the order that I post them. So please go back a few weeks to my January 8 post called, "Featured Artist: Kylene Cleaver."

Emerging artists of every stripe will find both Kylene's story and her site to be inspiring!

Congratulations, Kylene!

My best to all of you,

Susan

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

More Inspiring Resources

Check these out:

Falter-Barns, Suzanne: "How Much Joy Can You Stand? A Creative Guide to Facing Your Fears and Making Your Dreams Come True"

I love seeing the word "joy" in the title of a book about creativity! Thank goodness the "no pain, no gain" myth around creativity has been replaced by not only the possibility of joy, but the very real benefits of it in the creative process.

Falter-Barnes includes many exercises in the book. One of my favorites poses some very thought-provoking topics for the reader to make lists about, including "What I'm Afraid of Finding Out about My Dream," and "What Will Change If I Succeed at My Dream."

One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "Most failure is not an end in itself but a beginning disguised as an end."


Goleman, Daniel; Kaufman, Paul; Ray, Michael: "The Creative Spirit"

This book covers the inner workings of creativity, creativity in children and at work, and how creativity builds and benefits communities.

My favorite quotes from the book: "When both managers and workers adopt a creative outlook, a subtle but powerful change begins to occur in the workplace," and "Ultimately, a renaissance in creativity will depend on the actions of individuals." (That's us!)


The Imagineers: "The Imagineering Way: Ideas to Ignite Your Creativity"

Who better to learn about creativity from than the team that conceives and creates rides and displays that thousands enjoy at the Disney parks? Even the design of the book is exceptionally creative, inspiring, and fun!

Contributor Michael Sprout cuts to the chase about what we need to be creative: enthusiasm and faith. Another contributor, Bruce Vaughn, advises us to clearly define the creative challenge, and then to "...let go of all the possible solutions you are considering." This way we are not limited by pre-conceived ideas.


McMeekin, Gail: "Twelve Secrets of Highly Creative Women: A Portable Mentor"

McMeekin has divided her book into three "gateways:" "Engaging Your Creativity," "Mastering Your Challenges as a Creative Woman," and "Actualizing Creative Results: The Power of Positive Priorities." In the section on results, she provides two helpful worksheets. The first one is for planning, and the second is for curing procrastination.

The author has interviewed 45 well-known creative women for this book. No wonder she calls it "A Portable Mentor." And this mentor is on call 24/7!


To your success,

Susan

P.S. Slots are still available for my personalized complimentary email support, once a week for four weeks. So if you'd like assistance with staying on track with your resolutions, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com!

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

Resolution Check-In

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery." --James Joyce

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Sweet Victories or Sour Grapes?

Are you on your way to manifesting your resolutions, or is your enthusiasm sagging? Either way, I'd suggest that you go back to my December 11 post and brush up on the basics of carrying out creative resolutions. Then check out the common pitfalls discussed below.

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Pitfall #1: Trying to Swim Upstream

Have you ever seen the ads for a space-saving exercise pool? They are only about 8 ft. long, 5 ft. wide, and operate on the principle that if you try to swim upstream, you will likely end up staying in the same place. The pool sends a current of water forward and you swim against it.

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This is fine for space-saving exercise, but I don't think it's what you had in mind for your resolutions! The Universe can't help us if we are struggling to go the other way. We've heard it a million times because it's true: go with the flow.

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You'll have to decide what this means for you in relation to your own resolutions, but here's an example. Did you set up a resolution that forces you to focus on your weaknesses and fix them? Instead, rework it so that you are building on your strengths. It's easier, it makes you feel better about yourself, and it attracts more strengths, because that's what you're focusing on!

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Pitfall #2: Believing It Has to Be Difficult

We've been trying to swim upstream for so long, we've come to believe that where there's no pain there's no gain. Sure, you need to take action, but check in with your intuition first for help with your decisions and timing. It'll help you sail right around those pesky boulders in the river of life.

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Pitfall #3: Blaming Others

So, are you going to sail around the boulder, or are you going to blame nature for putting it in your way? Blaming others or blaming institutions or circumstances puts us in a powerless mindset, because it follows that we think there's nothing we can do to change the situation.

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This doesn't mean we have to blame ourselves, it just means that we have to accept responsibility for doing what is needed to get our resolutions back on the right track.

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Pitfall #4: Lack of a Support Structure on Which to Build Your Goal

Can your current life circumstances support the personal growth it'll take to get to your goal? How are your finances, health, relationships, etc.? Do you have accountability and moral support in place?

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I'm offering personalized complimentary email support, once a week for four weeks to the first ten people who request it. If you're interested, email me at scleaver@dejazzd.com.

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To your success,

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Susan

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

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