Comments on: Creative Blockages - 7 Killers of our Artistic and Creative Potential http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/ Personal development techniques for artists, writers, musicians, photographers... Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:07:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: jerrysmithkc http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-4 jerrysmithkc Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:08:22 +0000 http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-4 I agree with all these potential blocks and the one that particularly resonates is "too creative". In my practice I find that clients are often hugely resourceful, creative and enthusiastic as well as very skilled at what they do. Often what is lacking is a clear idea of what they are ultimately trying to achieve. Due to natural curiosity and energy they keep trying new things that appear interesting and stimulating. As you say, this can lead to flitting between things and not finishing stuff. From my personal experience, having a goal in mind allows us to look at new ideas and decide: a) It doesn't fit our vision b) The time isn't right to pursue it c) We need to revise our vision This may sound like stiffling our creativity but actually I think it can lead us to focussing our energy on things that really move us forward. Looking forward to hearing more thoughts in this area I agree with all these potential blocks and the one that particularly resonates is “too creative”. In my practice I find that clients are often hugely resourceful, creative and enthusiastic as well as very skilled at what they do. Often what is lacking is a clear idea of what they are ultimately trying to achieve.

Due to natural curiosity and energy they keep trying new things that appear interesting and stimulating. As you say, this can lead to flitting between things and not finishing stuff.

From my personal experience, having a goal in mind allows us to look at new ideas and decide:
a) It doesn’t fit our vision
b) The time isn’t right to pursue it
c) We need to revise our vision

This may sound like stiffling our creativity but actually I think it can lead us to focussing our energy on things that really move us forward.

Looking forward to hearing more thoughts in this area

]]> By: asleigh http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-5 asleigh Fri, 23 Feb 2007 09:24:55 +0000 http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-5 Thanks for that, Jerry. Interesting that you picked that point out as it's probably the one I've suffered from most. I think that sometimes it's having the ideas that gives me the real buzz. Actually taking an idea and making it into something can seem much less exciting - though much more rewarding in the long run. Thanks for that, Jerry.

Interesting that you picked that point out as it’s probably the one I’ve suffered from most. I think that sometimes it’s having the ideas that gives me the real buzz. Actually taking an idea and making it into something can seem much less exciting - though much more rewarding in the long run.

]]> By: graham.a http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-7 graham.a Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:41:55 +0000 http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-7 The concept of limiting beliefs is one that I find very confusing. I believe I'll never be smart enough to be a brain surgeon, or athletic enough to be an olympic high jumper. There are realistic limits on everyone's capabilities, and I think anyone who desn't have some sense of what they'll never achieve is a bit of a dreamer. OK, there are areas of life where I feel I could achieve more, but even so, is there any sense at all in believing that I can do anything I set my mind on? There are far too many Americans who are indoctrinated with this kind of belief, and they constantly set themselves up for failure. You only have to watch American Idol to witness the despair when someone (usually Simon Cowell) tells some kid who's parents have given them unrealistic expectations (even though they have no talent whatsoever) that they should give up any thoughts of a vocal career. They can, of course, continue to sing for their own amusement, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but a good dose of limiting belief would have been good for them! The concept of limiting beliefs is one that I find very confusing. I believe I’ll never be smart enough to be a brain surgeon, or athletic enough to be an olympic high jumper. There are realistic limits on everyone’s capabilities, and I think anyone who desn’t have some sense of what they’ll never achieve is a bit of a dreamer. OK, there are areas of life where I feel I could achieve more, but even so, is there any sense at all in believing that I can do anything I set my mind on?

There are far too many Americans who are indoctrinated with this kind of belief, and they constantly set themselves up for failure. You only have to watch American Idol to witness the despair when someone (usually Simon Cowell) tells some kid who’s parents have given them unrealistic expectations (even though they have no talent whatsoever) that they should give up any thoughts of a vocal career. They can, of course, continue to sing for their own amusement, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but a good dose of limiting belief would have been good for them!

]]> By: jerrysmithkc http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-8 jerrysmithkc Thu, 08 Mar 2007 03:42:51 +0000 http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-8 Hey Graham, great point and one that I wrestle with too. You are right - I will (sadly) never be able to beat Roger Federer and so attempting to do that might seem to be setting myself up for failure. However what if I believe that I can get close to him as a player? Still not likely? How about being the best in my club? The best in Kansas City? What I am doing is believing that I can be a great tennis player and can always get better. Therefore I am driven to find my limits and maybe surpass what I ever thought I could achieve. Ultimately there is a good chance that I will run into a Simon Cowell at some stage. We all have to accept our limitations eventually, but at least the contestents on American Idol got as far as the audition, TV etc. How many folks (some of whom could have done really well) sat at home and didn't apply because they thought "I don't have what it takes"? Interesting post - lots of food for discussion! Hey Graham, great point and one that I wrestle with too.

You are right - I will (sadly) never be able to beat Roger Federer and so attempting to do that might seem to be setting myself up for failure. However what if I believe that I can get close to him as a player? Still not likely?

How about being the best in my club? The best in Kansas City? What I am doing is believing that I can be a great tennis player and can always get better. Therefore I am driven to find my limits and maybe surpass what I ever thought I could achieve.

Ultimately there is a good chance that I will run into a Simon Cowell at some stage. We all have to accept our limitations eventually, but at least the contestents on American Idol got as far as the audition, TV etc. How many folks (some of whom could have done really well) sat at home and didn’t apply because they thought “I don’t have what it takes”?

Interesting post - lots of food for discussion!

]]> By: Andrew Leigh http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-12 Andrew Leigh Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:21:43 +0000 http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-12 Hi Graham Yes - there's a definite point where positive thinking turns into delusional thinking, and American Idol has given us many fine examples of it. I think one way of understanding the difference between a negative, limiting belief and a positive, empowering one is this: with a limiting belief we perceive our ability and potential to be far lower than they actually are. As a result we may become discouraged and give up on a dream very easily - that's if we even try in the first place. A healthy empowering belief gives us the courage to imagine and go for truly inspiring goals - and gives us the determination to make amazing achievements. But it definitely isn't about a blind and deluded belief in abilities we haven't got. Hi Graham

Yes - there’s a definite point where positive thinking turns into delusional thinking, and American Idol has given us many fine examples of it.

I think one way of understanding the difference between a negative, limiting belief and a positive, empowering one is this: with a limiting belief we perceive our ability and potential to be far lower than they actually are. As a result we may become discouraged and give up on a dream very easily - that’s if we even try in the first place.

A healthy empowering belief gives us the courage to imagine and go for truly inspiring goals - and gives us the determination to make amazing achievements. But it definitely isn’t about a blind and deluded belief in abilities we haven’t got.

]]> By: Andrew Leigh http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-13 Andrew Leigh Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:24:05 +0000 http://www.thecreativeinstinct.com/2007/02/21/creative-blockages/#comment-13 Talking about delusions - I definitely believe I can beat Roger Federer - but I'll need to think creatively to figure out what I can beat him at/with. ;-) Talking about delusions - I definitely believe I can beat Roger Federer - but I’ll need to think creatively to figure out what I can beat him at/with. ;-)

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