www.1001TopWords.com |
Trying to Create From Distorted Perceptions?
We've all met people who are "negative" ? negative thinkers who consistently see the glass as half empty. In certain situations, particularly stressful ones, even the most positive person can fall victim to this distorted thinking. As a creative artist, this kind of thinking can keep us away from our art and can keep us from enjoying it even when we manage to keep at it. Distorted Perceptions Seem Real to Us I've recently started performing at a monthly "open mic" event, and it's been a very positive experience. This is a big change from the intense stage fright I used to have. Back then, as the sign-up sheet was being passed around from table to table, I probably would have been thinking: "I just KNOW I'm going to screw up." This is an example of "predictive" thinking ? when we're sure we know how something will turn out, or what someone else is thinking. Predictive thinking tends to come true (have you heard of the term "a self-fulfilling prophecy"), so be careful about what you're consciously predicting! If that's something you can imagine yourself thinking, try this thought on instead: "I can't know exactly what will happen, so I'm going to aim to have a great time up there!" Imagine how different your performance will be with THAT thought instead of the first one. Or maybe I would have thought: "I'm so nervous ? I'm never going to be good at performing!" This is an example of black and white thinking. We're either good at something or we're bad at it. There are only two options, with nothing in between. This doesn't give us any room to learn, explore, grow, fail, try again or get better. Try this thought, instead: "I'm becoming a better and more experienced performer every time I do it." Imagine the difference to your performance! Put It Into Play Choose one of your creative goals. Now, write down all of the thoughts you have about it. Just vent everything ? whatever comes to mind (use a computer keyboard if that's easier for you). Watch for any patterns of distorted perception. Are you predicting how something will turn out? Are you using black & white thinking? When you come across an example of distorted perception, write down a more positive thought that challenges it. If you need help with this, check out my coaching program for creative artists at http://www.everydayartistcoachingstudio.com Predictive thinking and black & white thinking are just two examples of the many ways our creativity can fall victim to distorted perceptions. Watch out for these so that the true voice of your creativity can be heard. © Copyright Linda Dessau, 2005. Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. To receive her free monthly newsletter, "Everyday Artist", subscribe at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/artist-newsletter.html
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Stress VS Creativity Now when I use the term "creativity", I mean the kind of states of mind and body where thoughts and ideas flow freely; where there is a STREAM of data information that comes clearly from a very different place than one might normally inhabit and which translates smoothly and perfectly into colours, visions, sounds, patterns, movements, actions and resolutions. Attraction: What We Attract With Our Creative Choices I used to be a jazz singer. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, they were wonderful and I strived to sing like they did. But no one impressed me as much as Billie Holiday. The tragedy and the talent meshed together into a musical offering unlike any I'd heard. I was inexplicably drawn to the drama and the heartache. Creativity Management and Team Size Effective team structure is critical when managing creativity and creative output. The Elements of Creativity: Attributes Listing Method Attribute listing is one of the best ways to generate ideas, whereby there any many parts to the problem/ challenge faced. If you are asked to generate ideas or solutions to a complex challenge, the first thing you can do is to list all the attributes of your problem. 3 Clever Creative Strategies! I've got a confession to make... there are many waysleaders can be more creative, innovative and ingenious thanare presented in this article. Connect with Your Inner Artist In the "Roadblocks to Creativity" e-course, we look at the 7 most common things that block our creative expression. So, if we're "blocked" when we're facing those things, what are we like when we're free of them? Creativity and Communication Lessons from Crossing the Street Spring is in full bloom, which means it's 'get back in shape time!' For me, that means strapping on the sneakers and going for a run (well, at this stage it's more of a slow loping jog...). Creativity: Getting Out of the Box Leadership, especially in times of change, depends increasingly on the ability of managers, professionals and even front line workers to think and do things differently. In other words, to get out of the box! Internet Business: 10 Important Creative Ways To Get New Product Ideas Creativity is one of the most important keys to success in any business. Story and Screenplay Structure Structure is beneficial to creative output in a number of ways. There are at least two types of structure, work processes and frameworks: True Power: Understanding the Source of All Creation and Creativity "True Power" is a series that will focus on proven techniques to accomplish any goal. Each exercise is designed to enlarge your ability to believe what you want is possible and will actually happen. Creativity Management ? Measurement, Benchmarking, and Improvement Contrary to common perception, creativity can be made tangible, measurable and useable. In terms of measurement, benchmarking and improvement, the first step is to decide on definitions, the second is to decide on methods of measurement and finally, to monitor each measurement for improvement. A Quick Course in Creativity This quick course in creativity is designed to give you a platform to stand on as we look at the various ways you can handle home, social and workplace situations, job-search details and career-path decisions.Let's examine what creativity might look like. How You Can Improve Your Creativity - What You Need to Know Would you like to enhance your creativity? Do you think that increased creativity is something that would improve your life? Think Orange! Creativity and the Sacral Chakra Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could just flick a switch and turn on your creativity? Sadly, at times, tapping into your creativity can feel like trying to squeeze water from a stone. The good news is, there are ways of encouraging creativity and one of these ways is through balancing your sacral chakra. Creating Reality ? Discovering the Magician Within We all create our own reality each and every day, whether we are aware of the power that we possess or not. We all have a built-in mechanism that runs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three-hundred-sixty-five days a year, non-stop. How To Increase Creativity... Set Deadlines! Deadlines are something all of us face from time to time. We face deadlines whenever we set even a small goal and commit to accomplish it... that's when deadlines becomes important and valuable to us. Art, Artists and Money Practical money tips for people in the arts. Problem Solving Techniques For Business And Life Learning a few good problem solving techniques can improve your bottom line and your life. How Do You Paint New Age About once every year or so, I take a critical look at the design of my web site and now our popular newsletter and wonder what I could do to create a theme background for them. |
© Athifea Distribution LLC - 2013 |