Friday, March 2, 2018

Three Ways to Live Your Best Creative Life, Part 1 + A Journal Giveaway


by Cathy Baker @CathySBaker

Today, I share the first of a three-part series about specific ways to combat resistance and maximize the creative life to its fullest potential.

The word create is defined as bringing something into existence. And where creativity is at work, we usually find resistance.

Creative resistance is essentially anything and everything that prevents us from starting, developing or completing our creative projects.” - Julia McCutchen

1. Crush perfectionism. The illusion of perfection—a perfect face, body, job, or life—eventually crushes a person’s self-worth, dreams, and healthy goals. Perfectionism also has the potential to numb the creativity coursing through our veins, and yet many creatives are indeed perfectionists. So how do we crush it before it crushes us? The first step is to recognize your perfectionistic tendencies.
  • Are you editing as you go? I’m guilty of this unfortunate practice. It’s like hitting the gas pedal and brakes at the same time, making it impossible to move forward. Recently, I tried writing without stopping for a set amount of time while allowing myself the freedom to insert a blank or asterisk in places I feel will need special attention next time around. So far, so good. Give it a try!
  • Are you sharing your work with others? If not, consider joining or creating a critique group. Perfectionism has the tendency to isolate us for fear of feeling foolish. When we share our work with others for feedback, we’re kicking resistance where it hurts. Marcia Moston wrote a post on creating an online group you’re sure to find helpful. The link to her post is below.
  • Are there multiple works-in-progress paralyzed in your files, drawers, or closet? When we allow perfectionism to determine what the world will or will not read, we may be withholding the very story God wants us to share. Our responsibility as writers is to communicate to the best of our ability. It need not be perfect. Others will help the work to shine; we simply need to stay in our lane, offering ourselves the same grace we’re so quick to offer others.

“To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” - Joseph Chilton Pearce

2. Engage Child-like Curiosity. If you think curiosity is something naturally lost over time, think again. Saramego, a Portugese writer, re-sets our expectations with his quote, “Old age starts where curiosity ends.” With that in mind, let’s invite the child in all of us to come out and play. Here’s are suggestions you may want to try:
  • Commit to the wonder of curiosity. Intentionally choose to be curious. You may want to set the goal for doing this once a day, once a week, or twice a month. Planning moments to be curious may sound a little over-the-top for those who naturally engage their curious tendencies. But for others, such as myself, being intentional helps me move toward the goal of living a more creative life.
  • Is there a road you drive past every day and wonder where it leads? Make a turn to see where it takes you. Study an intriguing subject for 30 days. Purchase a magazine about a new subject or read a different genre. Register for a class on baking, pottery, or some other creative outlet. Researchers say that the brain creates new pathways when doing new things.
  • If you want to take it a step further, start a curiosity journal. Jot down ideas to try as soon as they spark, or write down what you learned as a result of your willingness to engage your child-like curiosity.

“What are the conditions of the creative attitude, of seeing and responding, of being aware and being sensitive to what one is aware of? First of all it requires the capacity to be puzzled. Children still have the capacity to be puzzled.” - Erich Fromm

Declutter, Declutter. I had to repeat this title twice to penetrate my own mind because, if truth be told, I’d much rather spend time writing than cleaning the area around my desk. Okay, I’d rather be doing pretty much anything else besides cleaning, but writing ranks in the top three. Although studies have shown that a messy desk can boost creativity (the writing world breathes a collective sigh of relief) the clutter that surrounds us mentally and physically can wreak havoc on our creative life. Imagine my delight when I recently came across Jeff Goin’s post, “Clutter is Killing Your Creativity(And What to Do About It).”

His tips are stellar. I suggest you visit his site but first, I hope you’ll take a moment to share a comment if the suggestions above resonate or if you have one of your own. In doing so, you’ll offer encouragement to others and your name will be placed in a drawing for a journal to capture your curious and creative thoughts. Thanks!

“Clutter is not just physical stuff. It's old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits. Clutter is anything that does not support your better self.” - Eleanor Brownn

TWEETABLES


Cathy Baker is an award-winning writer and author of Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Beach as well as Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Mountains. As a twenty-five year veteran Bible instructor, she's led hundreds of studies and workshops. She's also contributed to numerous anthologies and publications, including Chicken Soup for the SoulThe Upper Room, and Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family. In addition, her poetry can be found in several popular anthologies.

She and her husband, Brian, live in the foothills of the Carolinas.
Subscribe to Cathy’s blog at http://www.cathybaker.org and receive a free e-book, “Praying In Every Room of Your Home.”

18 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed your post, Cathy. Loved the various quotes but the one about old age and curiosity hit hard. I'll often be driving the back roads near my home and wonder about the lovely old homes, the history or where one of the dirt roads I don't use goes. I accept your challenge to find out!

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  2. If it helps, the same quote stung me as well, Kelly. :) Enjoy your back road adventure!

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  3. Number 2 about engaging curiosity and creativity was very helpful. I tend to be cautious about trying new things, and saying I don't have time for new things (so I can have writing time) is a common excuse. But once I make time or branch out, I'm glad I did. Not only is it fun, but like your post mentioned, new ideas start flowing.

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    1. You're not alone, David. I too struggled with balancing saying yes to new things while remaining committed to my word count. It was when I realized that God doesn't waste any of our experiences that I began making subtle but powerful changes in my daily routine. I'm learning that it's those new experiences that have actually enriched my writing time. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  4. Great tips, Cathy! Creativity seems to come naturally to some. Your post reminded us it's something we can train our brains.

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    1. Thanks, Ingmar! I always enjoy seeing your name in the comment section. You're quite the encourager, my friend. Blessings!

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  5. Thank You doesn't seem enough Ms. Cathy. I so needed to hear these words. I have my first manuscript in with a godly editor, and Satan is working overtime telling me how terrible my writing is; that's why it seems to be taking so long. It isn't, but then again we know who is the father of lies. God's blessings for sharing your heart and wisdom with others.

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    1. I'm joining you, Jim, in giving thanks to God for sharing words that encouraged you today. He knows exactly what we need -- and when we need it. Recognizing where the lies originate is the first step to standing on the truth -- and writing through it. I'm praying for you and for your first manuscript. How exciting! Keep moving forward.

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  6. WRITE LIVE DREAM
    Great Post! I Love It!

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    1. Thanks, Tonya! I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. :)

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  7. I have to fight my inner editor all the time. Just before I read this, I realized I could perfect the same five chapters, taking a large amount of time, or I could just improve them and move on.

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  8. I agree, the inner editor can wreak havoc on our work. It sounds like you're on the right track. Keep up the good work! Thanks for sharing.

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  9. I think I might just go down a different street tomorrow, to see what is down that way. Alice in Wonderland... here I come!!

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    1. Woo hoo, Jackie! Let me know what you find. :)

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  10. I needed this boost today! I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I appreciate the part about participating in other creative activities. I enjoy scrapbooking and stamping but sometimes I feel guilty doing those things when I think I should be working on my writing. Edie has been a good example for me with her photography.

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  11. I needed this today! I liked the part about exploring other creative outlets. I enjoy scrapbooking and stamping but I often feel guilty about doing those things when I should be writing.

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  12. I resonated with #2. Engaging life with a Child-like wonder has been a theme this past year. Stopping to take pictures down roads I don't normally travel has been a marvelous eye-opener for me to God's beauty as well as possible backgrounds for scipture memes.

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  13. Oh, Cathy. *sigh* Thank you for sharing such wonderful content. Your post not only flows well, but is rich in nutrients for those who seek a better writing experience.

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