Creative people are often misunderstood. There are lots of reasons for this, and one of them is that we have different needs than others. But we don’t want to become too precious about them. (I can only create with my velvet-covered notebook and my Visconti pen, at sunset on a hill.)
But our satisfaction and our success hinges on having enough of these needs met so we can do our best creative work.
My coaching sessions with clients over the years have shown me that these don’t exist in any hierarchical or linear way. I envision them as a mind map, with some needs getting more attention than others depending on life’s flow.
The creative person’s hierarchy is a mind map of needs
Which of your needs are currently being met? Which are not? What is one small thing you can do to get one need met this week?
Love this. Fortunately, we don’t have to have all of them to begin either. Lordy, if I sat around and waited for there to be “health” in each one of these categories, I’d never start anything. Wait, is that what happens to me when I get stuck? Perhaps this would be a great tool in those times as it would point you back to all the things that are going RIGHT in your creative life even if some areas are in the weeds.
Thank you!
Jennifer,
Great point! I like the idea of using this as a way to point out what’s working.
I’d also be using it as a reflective tool. Often we’re dissatisfied but can’t point to why. Seeing, oh, I haven’t exercised in 5 months, that might be part of the stuckness…that’s useful.
It’s very common for people to think they need to have everything sorted out before they begin. This ‘perfectionism’ is indeed what stops many people before starting.
With my clients, I use this to help when they’re stuck. Creative edge/challenge is one of the biggest needs they don’t even know they need. But when they hear what it is, they ‘get’ it.
Thanks for commenting!
This is a great map to what is working well, as well as where we need to focus on better creative health. One thing I might add, though it is a kind of subset to “faith” and “response to work,” is FOCUS (and its close cousins – Balance and Meaning). When I’m distracted by family responsibilities or other things I’ve volunteered for, it may be because I fail to recognize the meaning in my work; I lack faith that it is important to anyone but me; and “…that painting I’m working on is a piece of crap anyway, so…”. I really need to focus on the highest good in my creative work, which in turn allows me to balance my life. Thank you for this assessment tool!
Good call, Sue! You are SO right – focus is one of the things we desperately need. The gift of a lot of interests/loves can turn on us quickly and become overwhelm.
Faith was one of the few bubbles where I wrote a bit more: that it’s worth it. I could add, that it matters, even just to us at first.
You’re seasoned enough at art making to know that you just need to step back when that ‘this is crap’ feeling creeps up. To know it’s not true. And if it is, to know that you have the skills and insight to reverse the trend.
I love how you know to point your telescope to the highest good. To be the one to repeatedly shine the light on the best of you…that’s a skill we all can hone.
So glad you liked this! Thanks for sharing your insights. I appreciate them, and you.
Cynthia, I love this!
I very much appreciate you offering the tools and gentle reminders to help me honor my impulses.
Time, space, and place have been very big for me lately. I’m feeling a creative wave like never before, and it feels vital that I make room 🙂 What’s interesting is that although I’m excited to feel this inner call to create, it feels stressful to have to disconnect from people, certain activities, etc…I did not see it coming that I’d be in a grieving cycle along with the bigger creative wave.
Thanks. I appreciate you. 🙂
Robin,
You bring up such an important and interesting element of the creative life – balancing being with people and being in the creative cave. And the emotions that go along with transitioning between the two.
It could also perhaps be a bit of the separation that’s needed to connect with and honor our true creative voice. Being an artist or writer means being a leader, and sometimes leaders need to step away from their tribe to get clarity and to bring back the wisdom. Not like you’re above or better than, but that you need space to listen and hear your truth.
I’m glad you point to the grieving – we so rarely recognize and honor this in ourselves. We just zoom past the grieving feeling. It’s okay to grieve and to release all the emotions that are bundled up in our work.
I hope this helps you frame your experience in a loving way. I know you already do that and I honor you and your work immensely.
Thank YOU; I adore you. 🙂
I sure am glad you link to your recent blog posts in your newsletter or I might have missed this great list! This would make a great poster to hang in my new studio space, which is still in transition and, now that I see your list, an important need that is not being met…but I am now going to start making organizing the studio space a priority, thanks to your list of needs for creatives! It is also helping me see what is lacking so I can begin to focus on filling those gaps.
Thanks for your blog and newsletter Cynthia! It is always inspiring so I make time to savor it 🙂
Monica,
Thanks for that feedback! It’s very helpful to know what works for my readers.
I will be looking into making my art into posters very soon. I love this one and want every creative person to have all her needs met. That’s why I do my coaching, teaching and writing – to help creatives thrive and feel GOOD about their talents.
To ask a coaching question, by when will your studio be organized to your minimum level of satisfaction?
Start there and then work on meeting those other needs.
You are very welcome and I am delighted to be part of your savoring!
With respect,
Cynthia