The Hero's Journey, Part 3

In this post, we'll follow our hero-to-be (or heroine) as he moves through the "action" and "resolution" parts of his Quest.  To see the inner process he went through to get to this point of initiating action, please check out Part 2 of this series at my 12/22/12 post. You'll find an introduction to the topic in Part One, which is dated 11/17/12.

Step 5: Our hero steps into the unknown, along with his fears and self-doubt.  The unknown can be representing  one of many possible experiences, whether the Quest is fictional or one you may have experienced last year. Here are a few examples: dealing with illness or an injury, instead of trying to ignore it and hoping it'll go away, or maybe losing a job, and pounding the pavement every day to find a new one.

Photo (c) iStockphoto/frender

Step 6: The hero-to-be interacts with others during the Journey.  He often meets new people along the way, and they sometimes tend to be the kind of people who at first, seem like unlikely pals, or even enemies.  This is all part of the uncertainty he endures.

The friends usually play a part in helping the hero through the crises that he faces during the Quest.  As we'll see later, the hero faces the big, looming, ultimate challenge on his own.

Photo (c) iStockphoto/Stefanie Timmermann

Step 7: He's faced with a series of inner and outer obstacles along the way.  While still dealing with inner conflicts, such as fear and resistance, our hero's integrity helps him find the courage to continue confronting the outer challenges.

For example, think of a father who confronts obstacles that he never thought he could, until it comes to the welfare of his child.

"There are some things you learn best in calm,

 and some in storm." ~~Willa Cather

Step 8: The most crucial part of the mission must be faced by the hero alone.  I believe this is because Universal Wisdom wants it to be very clear that, whatever the outcome, it is the actions of the hero that have brought him to the end of his Journey.  He now feels things inside him that he did not know were there.

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/Daniel Halvorson


"A change of feeling is a change of destiny."  ~~Neville Goddard

Step 9: The successful hero returns home with a new perspective of others, himself, and of life.  The hero may not have been successful at what he thought he was supposed to do.  However, a different kind of success can emerge from the parts of the Journey where he feels he didn't do well.

I have experienced this several times!  For me, it often seems that I've wasted a lot of time and effort on something, only to find later that it was preparing me for a new, exciting part of my life. Remember this when you experience and unwanted "nub" in the tapestry of your life!

"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely."  

~~Auguste Rodin

Photo (c) iStockphoto.com/creativeye99 

Thanks for reading!

Susan   
                            

The Great-Life Advocate (TM)

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Photo (c) iStockphoto/Denise Kappa

~~Odds and Ends~~

What I Bring to Our Coaching Relationship, Part 3

You can find Parts 1 and 2 at my posts dated 11/17/12 and 12/22/12.

Today's Topic: I'm a catalyst for positive changes in you, so you can become the person you need to be to reach your goals, by providing...

*Challenge
*Accountability
*Feedback

In my next post, I'll explain how we work together to create your action plans.

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My post from 6 /21 /12, called "Enlightenment, the Sequel" is currently on my top-ten list of posts, according to my Blogger stats.  Please check it out!  

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Attention, Locals....  Save the Dates!  

Boyertown Wellness Fair, Saturday, March 23, 2013; complimentary Reiki samples at my exhibit table! 

Boyertown Continuing Education Program; Wednesday nights in April, I'll be teaching "Audacious Self-Care"!

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***All of my posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

**Member of the TriCounty Community Network, at www.tcnetwork.org**   

The Hero's Journey: How We Grow, One Quest at a Time

Scratch the surface of most books, movies, and plays, and you'll see that the story line is some form of  The Hero's (or Heroine's) Journey.  Why does this template resonate with us, and make us feel like we "just couldn't put that book down"?

We feel this resonance because we have experienced this journey in our own lives.  These quests result in changes in our level of understanding and growth. Some of us are going through this process now.  Those of us who are willing to grow and stretch will set out on more of these journeys. 

The Quest may look to be mostly inner or outer, but we as humans have a holistic nature.  The journey will change us in both ways.  Most of us don't go somewhere like Machu Picchu (pictured below)  just "because it was there."  It may look like an outer quest, but we are changed to the core when we return.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/The Power of Forever Photography

This is the first post of a series I have planned on this topic.  In this post, I'd like to give you an overview of the Quest structure, and then we'll explore the first few phases more closely in the next post.

If this post brings to mind one of your journeys, and you're willing to share it, please click "Comments" and tell us about it.  I believe that the more we use this blog to create community, the more we can enrich each other.  It's especially valuable in this time of economic sluggishness.

O.K., here's the overview of the Hero or Heroine's Quest, along with relevant photos:

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/PeskyMonkey

1) The hero-to-be  is at home, enjoying relative calm.
2) He hears the Call of the Quest.
3) He resists the Call because it has unknown risks, and he hesitates to leave his comfortable,  familiar environment.  He doubts that he can successfully complete the Quest. 
4) The Call gets too loud to resist.  Something or someone he cares about deeply is at risk.
5) The Hero accepts the Call, and he leaves his familiar environment to set out into the unknown.
6) He meets some unlikely but helpful friends along the way.
7) He's faced with a series of inner and outer obstacles along the way.
8) The most crucial part of the mission must be faced by the hero alone.
9) The successful hero returns home with a new perspective of himself and of life.  

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/DNY59

Thanks,

Susan

P.S.  I  would like to give you a clear look at what I deliver as a Coach.  I'll discuss these items in more detail in future posts.  For now, I'll share the main points with you.

What I Bring to Our Coaching Relationship

~I enrich your "thinking environment."~

~I'm a catalyst for positive changes in you, so you can become the person you need to be to reach your goals.~

~I assist you in creating action plans that will carry you forward between our sessions.~

If you have any questions, or you'd like a complimentary exploratory session (by phone or in person), you can reach me here.

P.P.S. My post from June 21, 2012, called Enlightenment, the Sequel, is on the list of my top 
ten most popular posts, according to my Blogger stats.  Please check it out!

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.***

***Member of  the TriCounty Network at www.tcnetwork.org.***

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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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.***

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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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!


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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.***

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