willy_palacios
11-14-2006, 03:26 PM
1) Breathe - Fear needs a timeline to exist. When we are afraid we are worried about our
past actions or possible future outcomes. Worrying about time we do not control robs us
of the power we have in the present to transform ourselves. When the fear of being a
beginner (or any other fear creeps into our minds) we can respond by simply paying
attention to our breathing. Just a few seconds of observing our breathing can dissolve our
fears by bringing us back to now and to the presence we need to be the artist we desire to
become.
2) Set Goals - Create goals and share them with the universe. Setting goals maximizes
our power of choice and our power of attraction. If we have goals we can have a
benchmark for the question Is the choice I am about to make going to bring me any
closer to where I want to be as a photographer? By sharing our goals we are literally
saying here are the desires of my heart. Assistance pours in when others know exactly
what to do to help us, and when we are clearly open to, and ready for the help.
3) Model on others - Only you can walk your path. But you can help to make it more of
a straight line from where you are now to where you want to be. Pay attention to the
actions of those who are further along on the road - or enlist the help of a guide.
4) Reflect - Each day create the space for a quiet time of inner reflection. Observe how
you are feeling and make choices based on your observations.
5) Recharge - Play or rest but definitely recharge yourself each week by taking a day
off.
6) Create an artist support group Surrounding ourselves with people who share in
our desires helps to keep us on track by adding accountability to our space.
7) Be your own biggest supporter Most of us have become our own biggest critic.
Here are five ways to be self-supportive.
Be kind to yourself - Compassion starts with how we treat ourselves. We all
have an inner critic that can do a lot of damage if left unchecked. To bring your
inner critic under control, practice balancing all self-criticisms with an immediate,
legitimate, self-compliment.
Suspend Judgment - Quit equating yourself with your artwork. "Am I making
progress?" is a much better question to ask than " Is this artwork any good?" The
story of greatness is a story that includes many actions that look like failures when
judged out of the context of the whole story. "Am I making progress?" is a
question that always allows you to see the potential value of all of your efforts.
You are much more than any work or body of work.
Practice, Practice, Practice!!! - Disconnect from the outcome. Creativity equals
conscious productivity. But we often think to be creative we have to make art that
exhibits greatness every time. That kind of expectation leads to artist block
because it encourages us to wait for the perfect conditions for greatness instead of
creating greatness through passionate practice. To be more creative - be more
productive.
Embrace uncertainty - There is no artist Shangri La. So let go and quit looking
for it. Your vision of who you can be is always ahead of where you are. Embrace
the uncertainty that comes with following your vision.
Be thankful and generous - Be in gratitude for what is and share what you have
to offer. To often we curse what we have and focus on our needs. Turn it around!
Excerpt from The Myth of Talent: A Short Reading List (http://www.radiantvista.com/archive/articles/1/)
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Work by Byron Katie
Art and Fear by Ted Orland and David Bayles
The Artist Way by Julia Cameron
Free Play by Stephen Nachmanovitch
past actions or possible future outcomes. Worrying about time we do not control robs us
of the power we have in the present to transform ourselves. When the fear of being a
beginner (or any other fear creeps into our minds) we can respond by simply paying
attention to our breathing. Just a few seconds of observing our breathing can dissolve our
fears by bringing us back to now and to the presence we need to be the artist we desire to
become.
2) Set Goals - Create goals and share them with the universe. Setting goals maximizes
our power of choice and our power of attraction. If we have goals we can have a
benchmark for the question Is the choice I am about to make going to bring me any
closer to where I want to be as a photographer? By sharing our goals we are literally
saying here are the desires of my heart. Assistance pours in when others know exactly
what to do to help us, and when we are clearly open to, and ready for the help.
3) Model on others - Only you can walk your path. But you can help to make it more of
a straight line from where you are now to where you want to be. Pay attention to the
actions of those who are further along on the road - or enlist the help of a guide.
4) Reflect - Each day create the space for a quiet time of inner reflection. Observe how
you are feeling and make choices based on your observations.
5) Recharge - Play or rest but definitely recharge yourself each week by taking a day
off.
6) Create an artist support group Surrounding ourselves with people who share in
our desires helps to keep us on track by adding accountability to our space.
7) Be your own biggest supporter Most of us have become our own biggest critic.
Here are five ways to be self-supportive.
Be kind to yourself - Compassion starts with how we treat ourselves. We all
have an inner critic that can do a lot of damage if left unchecked. To bring your
inner critic under control, practice balancing all self-criticisms with an immediate,
legitimate, self-compliment.
Suspend Judgment - Quit equating yourself with your artwork. "Am I making
progress?" is a much better question to ask than " Is this artwork any good?" The
story of greatness is a story that includes many actions that look like failures when
judged out of the context of the whole story. "Am I making progress?" is a
question that always allows you to see the potential value of all of your efforts.
You are much more than any work or body of work.
Practice, Practice, Practice!!! - Disconnect from the outcome. Creativity equals
conscious productivity. But we often think to be creative we have to make art that
exhibits greatness every time. That kind of expectation leads to artist block
because it encourages us to wait for the perfect conditions for greatness instead of
creating greatness through passionate practice. To be more creative - be more
productive.
Embrace uncertainty - There is no artist Shangri La. So let go and quit looking
for it. Your vision of who you can be is always ahead of where you are. Embrace
the uncertainty that comes with following your vision.
Be thankful and generous - Be in gratitude for what is and share what you have
to offer. To often we curse what we have and focus on our needs. Turn it around!
Excerpt from The Myth of Talent: A Short Reading List (http://www.radiantvista.com/archive/articles/1/)
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Work by Byron Katie
Art and Fear by Ted Orland and David Bayles
The Artist Way by Julia Cameron
Free Play by Stephen Nachmanovitch