I think the most important thing to remember about creating-and life itself-is that you have to be out in the world. Creating occurs with people, through people; sharing and being of service. If you’re constantly in your head thinking creativity looks a certain way or you have to get to some magical “place” before you can create, you’ll keep missing the mark. Life is constantly giving us opportunities. The question is: Do we shut down to them or participate?
1. You can’t go it alone. We need each other. Sometimes creativity occurs not the way you think it will. What seems, at first, to be a total disaster can reveal wonderful insights about moving beyond our egos and staying connected. Remember that the things we make a big drama of, often have a way of working themselves out. And if you stay open, you’ll see that other people want to help you in ways you generally assume they don’t.
2. Be nice. Seems obvious, but why is it we often aren’t? I think sometimes this business rewards bad behavior and people get a free pass even when they’re acting like 2-year-olds. But science has proven that we’re our most creative when we work from a place of generosity, open-heartedness, fun and joy. You get more done. You’re more hard-wired to insights and “Ah-ha’s”. And you’re just simply creating more optimally. So exchange the fear for forgiveness and freedom and get playing.
3. You’re not at your most creative constantly thinking you have “something” to work on. This is an old acting-class narrative from the 1980s we have to change. It’s a myth. Sure, we have things we need to improve. Sure, we have to develop parts of ourselves and learn. But the simple process of showing up to life is enough. We don’t have to add to that by constantly beating ourselves up with self-defeating dialogues that perpetuate this myth that we’re lacking or flawed or messed up to such a degree that our work isn’t perfect. Perfection doesn’t exist, and that’s the real disease that needs to be eradicated. The assumption that if we’re not picking apart our work at the minutest detail, then we aren’t working hard is not only a lie, it fosters neurosis. Life will give you plenty of stuff to look at. Don’t worry. That’s the nature of living. But if it’s not broken why do we assume it must be fixed? It doesn’t. So stop doing that.
4. Do. The. Work. Why is auditioning constantly processed through this blender of nerves and inadequacy and fear and dread? Why can’t we just change the paradigm? Isn’t it actually, in fact, just you coming into a room and showing someone how you choose to create? It’s not right or wrong. It’s just you showing us you. There’s nothing to fear, because there’s nothing wrong with you. They may like it or they may not. But if you just focus on your work, the experience changes from “What do I need to show them?” to “What can I experience?” That’s a paradigm shift right there.
5. The real work happens right now. In this moment, what’s one thing you can change that’s holding you back? If you don’t want to fess up to what you know you could be doing differently, call your best friend and ask him/her the same question. You won’t like what they tell you, but if you listen to them they’ll show you how you keep getting in your own way. But roadblocks can be removed. So thank your friend and now do it.
*First published on Backstage*