7 Steps to work creatively

“Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart. ” Rumi

Moments of great synchronicity like the time I was speaking to a friend about someone at the top of a hill 30 miles from Glasgow, only for us to meet him randomly at the bottom of the hill an hour later. 

My friend, normally never short of words had little to say on the way home.

Or the time when I was on the Isle of Lewis and received guidance to keep driving on a day, I was tired (we left late).  We got to the beach and my daughter overheard tourists saying there was a whale and dolphins near the shore.

We made it just in time!

These experiences uplift and can inspire work.

The reality is, it doesn’t happen all the time.

What happens when synchronicity and guidance go? when we can’t hear? when life circumstances are difficult?

Stop working?

Let excuses and resistance take over?

Or power through, push and fight?

Mostly how do we stop getting hooked on experiences mentioned above or sit waiting for something or someone to happen to us.  

Getting out the way

In his book, The War of Art, Author Steven Pressfield tells of his neurotic actions before sitting down to write in the early stages of his career – trying on every item of clothing he owned, typewriter sitting on the empty desk at the other side of the room.

He also speaks about the pain and damage he caused to himself and others bringing forward his calling. In later writings you see just how difficult and the length of time this took.

Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Writer and Psychoanalyst says that most of her female clients show similar neurotic behaviour avoiding creative callings.

To overcome ………

• Start.

• Sounds easy, it’s not.

• Let go of anything that is causing separation. Read The Key to Mental Health.

• Unblock creative energy.

• Work, refine, get better, improve.

• Respect mistakes and failures.

• Accept growth is not linear.

• Do not rely on or expect spiritual experiences to motivate.

• Stay open.

• Finish, also not easy.

7 Steps to Work Creatively

1. Find activities that help you connect – art, music, cooking, garden, sport, hobbies.

2. Do as much as you can (as time and money allows).  Maybe not easy when parenting young children or working full-time - do what fits.

3. Do what’s needed to keep these activities in your life.

4. Listen to your intuition, what is the silence telling you?

5. Nothing? Maybe it’s time to rest, wait or be patient. No giving up or pushing events into existence.

6. Feel what wants to come forward. This goes beyond mind, logic, thought.  Feel your way forward.

7. Take actions when clear and not forcing.

A few days before writing this, I found myself pulling out all the paint pots and even the VAX spot cleaner, tell-tale signs I’m avoiding.  

It was time to work. As I had that realisation my energy levels shifted.  Just after, I was walking down the stairs in my tenement building and noticed a butterfly.  It was beautiful.  I’ve not seen one in the five years I’ve lived here.   

According to shamanicjourney.com

“Butterfly is the symbol of change, the soul, creativity, freedom, joy and colour. Their power is transformation, shape shifting and soul evolution. They represent the element of air, quickly changing and always on the move gracefully.”

I’ll take that! If you are reading this, hopefully you will too.

Keep working! creatively.

Download FREE chapter from The Key to Mental Health, click "Finding and Fulfilling Your Life's Direction"