 
|
|
By Belle Wong
One of the hardest things about being creative is learning to trust yourself. But just how do you battle that inner critic, the one who constantly questions all your creative choices? You know the one: "You want to do what? You're kidding, right?" "Just who do you think you are, to want to do something like that?" "Yeah, right. Just make sure you don't give up your day job, or we'll all starve."
I have found a number of ways to conquer my inner critic. One thing that works well for me are morning pages. Julia Cameron, in her book The Artist's Way, is a staunch advocate of morning pages, in which you write three pages of long-hand stream of consciousness every morning. These pages work for me; I find that I let my inner critic loose on these pages, and as if sated by the chance to be heard, often the day will pass without another peep out of it.
Another thing that helps is to simply continue doing what it is you're doing, concentrating on the pleasure of doing it. If you like to draw or paint but your inner critic tells you your work is terrible, concentrate on enjoying the feel of the brush or the stroke of color you're laying on the page.
I also enjoy Betty Edward's discussion, in Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain, on keeping the left brain quiet so that the right brain is free to concentrate on creative tasks like drawing. Edward's techniques are, in fact, perfect for getting into the flow of creativity, whether you are drawing, writing, or just plain thinking.
Sometimes I take an "idea break". I choose a cozy spot - usually someplace warm with sunlight - where I can curl up comfortably and let my mind roam. I keep a blank book next to me, and jot down any and all ideas that come to mind. It's a little like brainstorming, but not as structured. I'm not forcing myself to come up with a swirl of ideas, but rather creating an environment that welcomes any ideas that may pop up. I'm daydreaming ideas, and I date each session in my idea book. It's interesting to follow through on some of my ideas, and inspiring to leaf through my book when I'm going through a dry spell.
Recently I have started working with clay. A long-time "non-crafty" type, it shocked me that I could actually create something decent with clay. Finally, I'm able to think of myself working with my hands and not just with words. There's nothing like the soothing feel of wet cool clay spinning on the wheel, conforming itself to the touch of my hands. I find that a session on the wheel helps to center me and strengthen my resolve against my inner critic.
Perhaps most importantly, I continue every day to gather or create new tools to defeat my inner critic. When I pick up a book or read an article in a magazine, or simply sit and think about how I can start moving forward, my mind often suggests yet another way to elude the inner critic's crutches. It's another reminder that creativity is, at the most basic level, the swirling together of external influences and stimuli.
Belle Wong is the editor of Creativity for Life and the Altruistic Web She can be e-mailed at creativityforlife@zenliving.net
Welcome to the place where you can finally get to work on your dream!
HowMuchJoy.com
|
Workplace Toolbox Newsletters Quotes |
|
|
 |
| Expect the Unexpected (Or You Won't Find It): A Creativity Tool Based on the Ancient Wisdom of Heraclitus |
 By Roger Von Oech. "The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus was famous for his brilliant and provocative sayings. Today, more than 2,500 years after they were written, his ideas about life, nature, and the cosmos remain as startlingly original as ever. In Expect the Unexpected (Or You Won't Find It), Roger von Oech uses thirty of Heraclitus' epigrams as springboards to dazzling creativity. Treating each saying as an inexhaustible source of inspiration, he supplies amusing anecdotes, mind-bending riddles, hidden jokes, and intriguing questions designed to topple old habits of thought and fire the imagination. |
|
| Your Heart's Desire : Instructions for Creating the Life You Really Want |
 By Sonia Choquette. "Nationally known intuitive and spiritual leader Sonia Choquette shares the nine universal principles for creating the reality of your dreams. Step by step, with practical advice, specific exercises, and modern-day parables, she teaches readers to make the changes in thought and behavior that will lead them to the attainment of their most heartfelt desires." |
|
| Affirmations for Artists |
 by Eric Maisel. "Creativity requires introspection, self-examination, and a willingness to take risks. Because of this, artists are perhaps more susceptible to self-doubt and despair than those who do not court the creative muses. This book of affirmations is compiled with the special needs of artistic persons in mind. Arranged in alphabetical order by topic (Disbelief, Imitation, Talent), each page includes a handful of relevant quotations by writers, musicians, actors, or other creative people, a commentary by the author, and, of course, an affirmation." |