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Flaky or genius? Thriving as a multi-talented creative

A quiet place to get clear, get focused and make our mark. Ahhhh.....
A quiet place to get clear, get focused and make our mark. Ahhhh…..

You want to write. You also draw. Perhaps you were once identified as a painter but now you are compelled to make clay mugs and bowls.
Flaky? Or simply like most artists, drawn to lots of different things and experiences? This is the very nature of being creative – curious, open to new things, adept at many different skills and media.
The notion that we have to drill down and focus on just one thing can feel like death to a creative person. Yet if we flit from thing to thing, we can risk not finding satisfaction in any one thing.
How to solve this multi-faceted problem of abundance? I have a few thoughts on this, and I hope they are helpful for you.

Connect to your original impulse

First, you have to know very deeply, truly and clearly what creating is about for you. Maybe it’s just for fun and expression. Maybe it’s just for your own creative jollies. Perhaps you want to build a business around your art-making.
Whatever your reason, don’t skip this vital step of connecting to your own original impulse. Knowing your motivation will make everything – including taking advice from others – a lot easier.

Finish things

Finisher or dabbler? Depending on your intention for creating, you will know whether finishing things is important to you or not. For me, it’s very important. I am compelled to finish all kinds of things:

  • my newsletters
  • blog posts
  • books and e-books
  • class curricula
  • art projects
  • and more.

If I don’t finish these things, my work isn’t as effective as it needs to be. I also don’t derive the immense satisfaction that awaits us at the finish line.
You may not be making things for money, and that is okay. But I bet you have an inner critic who loves to say “See?! You can’t finish anything!”
That really stinks. It degrades the quality of your creative joy and it’s not okay. That’s the demon twin to the inner critic who tells you that YOU WILL DIE if you finish things and put them out into the world, because your art won’t be perfect and then you will be under attack.
Trust me. You won’t die from imperfection. I don’t, and everything I put into the world is perfectly imperfect. I see the flaws in all of my art, writing and work. And I have come to accept it. Don’t get me wrong, I still have high standards. I still work my tush off to make things of quality. And I also have learned that if I don’t put them out there in their wabi-sabi adorableness, I’ll never make anything.
But I digress. You get to decide whether you want to finish things and how that will happen.
This is an important piece because we can easily flit from one art form to the next when the project gets tough. We abandon things when we don’t see easy solutions. That’s fine, but don’t rob yourself of developing your creative power by staying with things to the finish line.

One major project at a time

I help my clients to the finish line by guiding them to focus on one major project at a time. A book, a body of work, a business idea they are developing. They can enjoy other art forms on the side, but they have a primary focus on one thing.
This helps us feel sane, focused and accomplished when we complete the project. it also teaches us our own process, start to finish. When we know our completing style, we can replicate it again and again to finish all kinds of things.
There are many ways to juggle multiple talents, but that’s enough for now. To sum up:

  • Know your motivation or original impulse.
  • Clarify whether completing things is important to you and why.
  • Focus on one major project at a time, with room to play with other things as a joy practice.

What helps you manage multiple mediums so you can feel like a creative genius? Drop a comment below and let us know.

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Creative Monday Accountability

Hello creative friends and happy Monday!
I hope your weekend replenished and refreshed you for the week ahead. I love the fresh start Monday gives us.
And it’s time for a little creative accountability, if you want it. First, let’s check in on last week. How did it go? Did committing to one thing here help you do that thing?
It helped me a LOT. I had committed to making and posting one video. When Thursday, my appointed video day, rolled around, I did not want to do it. I had a lot of meetings that day and if I hadn’t publicly said I would make a video, I would have bailed on the commitment. But I can’t hold your tootsies to the fire and not do the same for myself!
So I got my pretty dress on and made sure my curls weren’t TOTALLY wacky and set up the video system. And I made a video. And then another, and another and before an hour had passed, I had clocked 6 videos. Yes, SIX!
This is what happens when we set a low bar. We usually are able to over-deliver and then we feel great. I felt completely powerful and successful and proud of having done all that.
I posted the video and encouraged a lot of people to be more creative. I’ve got a few bits and bobs to add to the other videos and then I can schedule them for upcoming weeks. This method of batching my tasks really works for me, helping me play in many different media so I can do a lot of different things.
My commitment this week: prepare the two presentations I am giving on creativity in Fort Collins and in Costa Rica. I know those will happen because I am being paid to show up and teach, so it’s a little bit of cheating on my part to not add another thing to do.
But I also know that adding more for the sake of it isn’t my priority this week. So I am content with that. And excited to speak about this thing that is my life’s work: how to be more creatively successful and satisfied.
How about you? What worked for you last week and what will you do this week? 

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100 Day Project: I accept the challenge

I’m excited to embark on the 100 Day Project hosted by Elle Luna and featured on The Great Discontent. Check out the video to find out what I’m going to make for 100 days!

Are you doing the 100 Day Project? Let us know in the comments below. And if you’re not doing it, dream a little. What would you do for 100 days if you were going to do something wacky like this?

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Creative Accountability Monday

Happy Monday, Creative Dynamos!
Let’s start the week off right, shall we? With a bit of support for our creative challenges, because we’re in this together!
5Share in a comment below ONE thing you will do this week in your creative realm. Something that you need a nudge for. Something a bit daunting.
Whether you’re a photographer, painter, sculptor, writer…any kind of artist. I’ll help hold you accountable this week to doing something you really want to do.
For my part, I am committed to return to making regular videos. I want to do this, yet it keeps getting pushed to the back burner. I commit to making and posting a video by this Friday. There. I said it, publicly. GULP!
What one thing will you do? And when you do it, will you return here to add another comment and perhaps a link? 

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A colorful new writing ally

Writual Blessings Cynthia Morris illustration affirmations writers
I’ve got something exciting to share with you, but first, I’ll tell the story.
As a writer’s coach, I’m always looking for ways to make writing easier. When we get into the ‘zone’, writing can feel magical. We finally lose our critical self-consciousness. We slip away from time. Our words guide us to new territory, and we welcome the surprises and the wisdom our pens offer up. We discover our wisdom and our voice. We discover Writual.

How we access Writual

Since 1994, I’ve been leading writing workshops that teach writers how to cultivate this magical space, where writer’s block is a distant memory. Where the inner critic is outside shoveling snow. I call this space Writual.
Writual is accessed through the intentional surrender we can find with the free-writing method. Our pens or fingers on the keyboard provide access to our authenticity. Writual cuts through the noise to get to the heart of our truth.
Practicing Writual feels very different from the writing sessions that come from disciplining or hounding ourselves to write from guilt. When you have adopted your Writual practice, you’re much less likely to avoid your writing.
In my Free-Write Fling class, students find their groove using the free-writing method and my Writual Blessings. The transformations they experience are profound: more confidence, more joy and more sense of their authenticity.

Writual Blessings are your powerful writing ally

Writual [rich-oo-uh l] The sacred act of writing with intention and surrender. Origin: writing + ritual = Writual
Blessing [bles-ing] praise, devotion, especially grace before a meal
Writual Blessings help us enter this sacred writing zone. When writers use them as a prompt, they tap their own deep well of wisdom. It’s been great to see how Writual Blessings have served as my allies in helping writers find joy and confidence.
Writual Blessings serve as permission slips to the coveted space of writing freedom. It’s amazing how much the Flingers love them and how much they’ve made a difference in their writing. They have found focus and solace from the Writual Blessings.
Writual Blessings Cynthia Morris illustration affirmations writersWritual Blessings Cynthia Morris illustration affirmations writersWritual Blessings Cynthia Morris affirmations illustration writers
I want more people to enjoy the pleasure that these affirmations bring. So from the hundreds of Blessings I’ve written, I made a deck of Writual Blessings cards. I chose 36 of my favorites. I hand-lettered them and added watercolor illustrations. I made a deck of portable cards for writers who would love to have support to access their authentic expression.
There are lots of ways to use these cards, including:

  • writing prompt
  • visual reminder of your intention
  • permission slip from your writing coach
  • page marker for your journal or favorite book
  • and more….

I’ve ordered a limited number of these unique writers’ card decks for sale. If this kind of colorful encouragement is something you could use for your writing, you’ll want to order your deck now.
To make it easier for you, I’m paying for shipping through March 31st. Get your deck here and let your writing become joyful and easier.
Get your deck here, and if you’ve got writing buddies, pick up a couple of decks for them. You’ll love the bulk discount I am offering. Remember, shipping is on me through March 31st.

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Forget goals; invest in practices for creative satisfaction

How do you get everything done? Writing, art making, coaching, teaching – just a few of the roles I juggle. I’m sure you’ve got as many or more roles you play. We’re all trying to squeeze more into every day. How do I get things done?
It’s a constant adjustment process of my work flow. In fact, it’s the problem we seek to solve at Original Impulse: how do we get our best creative work done despite everything that conspires against us?
I’m always looking for the right combination to fend off distraction, OPA and decision swirl. I want to focus on things that matter to me, that challenge me, and that serve to inspire others’ creative dynamism.
So, rather than set big goals for 2015, I’m trying a new schedule. My hope is that new structure makes it easier to do what I love. Here’s what I’m experimenting with: [Read more…] about Forget goals; invest in practices for creative satisfaction

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Writing accountability: What is your creative edge for 2015?

I’m sure you’ve got your word of the year. Goody. It’s nice to have a guiding principle.

Now, what are you going to make happen in 2015? 

I’ve seen that we glean the most satisfaction and actualization when we specify a creative edge for the year. When we dedicate ourselves to a very specific phase of the creative process and dig down deep.

Look at the following four creative edges in the writing process below. If you were to focus on one, which would give you the most satisfaction this year?  [Read more…] about Writing accountability: What is your creative edge for 2015?

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My wish for your 2015

Don’t Go Big!
Don’t Be Bold!
Don’t Dream!
Instead, this year, try this:
Love yourself more than
you ever knew possible.
Love yourself daily,
fiercely, as if you’re
the best damn thing
that ever showed up
in your life.
Let this love glow and grow
from the inside out
until you almost can’t stand the joy
then love yourself up
some more.
Let this love infuse everything you make
with the unmistakable pulse
of your singular Soul.
Let your brilliance emerge fully
from this love of your life,
of your talents,
of your self.
Watch with giddy joy
as this love-doused work
meets the needs and desires
of those who have been waiting
to know it’s safe
to love this much.
Greet them as they gather close
to say YES! to your gifts
YES! to your loving self
YES! to the unmistakable joy of
you being you
you being brilliant
you being love.

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Let us shine in an undeniable constellation of creative joy

Years ago, in a session with my first coach, we were envisioning my version of success. This included working with great clients, teaching, speaking and being known for my own writing.
I relished the idea of these surface wins, and as a good coach does, she asked me to drill down to a deeper motivation about why I want to help people. I thought about it. I saw me shining brightly and having a great time. But my vision wasn’t just me sparkling high in the sky far away from others.
My version of a happy life includes my success and the success of others. If I were the only one having a good time, that wouldn’t be much of a party, would it? It became clear to me why I invest my time and energy in those around me – I want us all to shine in an undeniable constellation of creative joy.
My mission at Original Impulse is to help creative people get out of their own way so they can do their work and enjoy their talents.
[Read more…] about Let us shine in an undeniable constellation of creative joy

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Make Your Creative Time More Effective

You’re in the middle of writing the most fabulous paragraph when the phone rings. It’s your child’s school and you’ve forgotten to pick her up.
You leap up, caroming from blissful creative mode to full-on panic mode. You rush out the door, the cursor on your screen blinking, your creative bliss lost.
Sound familiar? This wrenching transition style happens all too often. We lose track of time and pay the cost. We become grumpy, resentful and our desire to write dissipates. It’s one of the main reasons we fear entering the creative zone. We’re afraid we won’t be able to make a graceful return to the ordinary world where our real-world obligations await us.
It doesn’t have to be wrenching. Transitions between life and writing can be easy. But it requires some effort and some training on our part to make transitioning between our roles work for us.
How can writers and artists make the transition smooth and easy? I suggest ritualized acts help to honor the creative time. Below are ten transition methods that my clients have used successfully. Experiment to see which rituals work for you. [Read more…] about Make Your Creative Time More Effective

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Get your writing moving, no matter what

People often ask me what they can use free-writing for. In  my experience, it’s great for every kind of personal or professional writing imaginable – for the first draft at least.
This week, I brainstormed 20 ways you can use free-writing now, even if you don’t consider yourself a writer. Best of all, free-writing is a great way to just. get. started.
Check all the ways you see free-writing as useful for you now. This will help you to identify how you can use writing now to enjoy your life and creativity more.
[Read more…] about Get your writing moving, no matter what

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Is Your Consumption/Creation Ratio Out of Whack?

by Cynthia Morris
This article originally appeared on Fuel Your Writing. It’s such an important topic that surfaces again and again, so we’re sharing it here. 

These days, it seems that if you’re not consuming something – videos, podcasts, blog posts, books, magazines, films, social media streams – then you’re probably asleep.

There’s so much good stuff out there and many of us feel compelled to keep up at a dizzying rate. My clients and students confess that their biggest challenge is finding time to create. Everyone’s busy and overbooked.
[Read more…] about Is Your Consumption/Creation Ratio Out of Whack?

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How to Enjoy Your Talents

I love making art and writing things. I made this poster to celebrate Original Impulse’s 15-year anniversary and to share a gift with you. I also wanted to practice the hand lettering I am learning in Sean Wes’ online lettering course. So I was happy to do about 12 drafts of this. That’s how it goes with making and learning – you have to practice. A lot.
Every single time I create something, I cycle through the wild and wooly creative process, as I know you do, too.
But near the end of the project I experienced what I know many of us face: dwindling interest in completing it. I saw my interest flagging and called on my creative pal Kristoffer Carter to hold my toes to the fire. Getting this thing over the finish line and here on the blog wasn’t easy.
All the usual crap – it’s not perfect, it’s not good enough, it’s amateurish…blah, blah, blah. Luckily I know better than to listen to that. Luckily I am willing to put imperfect things out there. Because I believe that our enthusiasm trumps perfection every time.
I am enthusiastic about learning. About hand lettering. About what we are called forth to as creative people. That making and sharing impulse is caring and daring, and that is what I and Original Impulse are all about.
I hope this inspires you to love what you love. To make things because it is so damn fun. And to share it even if you feel critical about it.
Cynthia Morris Original Impulse enjoy your talents
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Celebrating 15 Years as a Creativity Coach for Creatives and Writers

It’s with a grateful heart and a deep bow of thanks that I share this post. This month marks my 15-year anniversary as a coach for people who want to write and create with joy.
There’s so much I want to say about running a business, being a healthy creative person and what I want for you. I will keep it brief, because I know you have work to do.

Celebrate with gratitude

I’m so grateful to have a business that allows me to do good work and have time to do my creative projects. I’m grateful for my parents’ genes and their model of how to work hard and which are the right sacrifices to make.

Early professional shot of me, 2003
Early professional shot of me, 2003

I’m grateful that I have earned the trust of my readers, students and clients. This is important to me and something I treasure with great respect. It means a lot to me to be invited into someone’s world and creative process.
I’m so grateful for all the coaches, mastermind buddies, teachers and consultants who have helped me grow my business. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Fifteen years ago, I would never have imagined what I am doing now. I didn’t know I would be able to bring my teaching online. I didn’t know I would realize my dream of frequent work travel. I didn’t know the field of coaching would explode, and I certainly had no idea how much work goes into making a thriving business.
I don’t know where the next fifteen years will lead me. I do know that here, in June 2014, I am full of wonder for life and for the mysteries of the creative process. I am full of awe for the people who show up to do the real work of making something new. I marvel at the courage and have great respect for their commitment.
You may not see the work ahead in bringing your book to light. You may not recognize the impact your work will have in the world. You blissfully do not know how much effort it will take to complete your big project. And that’s okay.
One of the biggest insights I have gleaned over 15 years of studying the creative process is that we are never fully in charge. Our big idea for our book, our blog, our business venture – we are only a small part of its evolution. Many other factors come into play. Timing. Support. Real-world constraints. The art of bringing something from an idea to an actual thing calls us to our highest expression.
It’s in the process of making things that we grow. All our ideas add nothing to our real power. Making, writing, publishing, sharing – stepping out into the world to share our hearts and our creativity – that’s a bold act, and one I salute with a big smile.
Here’s to all of us who show up to heed our original impulse – to create, to write, to express and share the things that mean the most to us. As Helen Keller said, life is a daring adventure and it’s my great privilege to be on this adventure with you as a creativity coach.