The Creative Instinct

I’ve just seen some superb photographs and a very interesting idea on John Hobson Photography blog.

John has just hit the final month of his twenties - in other words he’s thirty next month. The realisation has spurred him into a creative burst and so he’s aiming for a self portrait for each day of the next month.

It got me to thinking how we might all harness the power of self portraiture in our own particular mediums. So here’s the Creative Instinct Self Portrait Challenge - and naturally, this being The Creative Instinct, there is a personal development aspect to it.

The Creative Instinct Self Portrait Challenge

Okay - so 2 self portraits, using your own favoured medium. They could be self portraits in photos, paintings, music, dance, rap, architecture - whatever floats your own creative boat. And they can be literal self portraits or something that captures the essence of you in your chosen medium. So for instance, performance art, landscape painting or photography, music, haiku, choreography could all count as selfportraits of the essence of you.

Left at that this could provide an interesting creative path to explore. But I’d like to add another aspect based on a very powerful self image exercise I often use with my coaching clients, which I’ve modified for this challenge.

Images - and kind permission of John Hobson

Self Portrait Challenge 1 - Now

Self portrait 1 represent you as you perceive yourself now. It’s useful to also write a few accompanying words that plainly describe the perceived positive and negative qualities that you are portraying. Aim to be as objective and balanced as you can with both your description and your portrait.

*An important note here for anyone who is currently in a bad place and can only see negatives about themselves - don’t do this self portrait. Focusing and thinking solely about your perceived flaws only makes you feel worse, so please focus on self portrait 2 instead.

Self Portrait Challenge 2 - Aspirational

The second self portrait should reflect the person you want to become. It should be aspirational and motivating. Again, add a few words that describe this aspirational you.

The great thing about this challenge is that even if you are doing really well it helps you pinpoint ways you can do even better.

So get thinking about how you can do the Creative Instinct Portrait Challenge. It’s a perfect topic for the coming crossover time between old and new year.

Prize!

I don’t know how many people will complete this challenge - or even if anyone will. I know The Creative Instinct is picking up audience now - but I’m not beginning my active promotion of the site until January (watch out for the free download coming very soon).

I’d love to see some outcomes from this, which I’ll post on the site if I can. I’ll keep the challenge going to the end of February 2008 and will offer 5 copies of my forthcoming ebook, Beating Your Bad Inner Critic to the first 5 meaningful responses.

And if you decide to go for it, please write a comment to encourage others to do the same.

Season’s Greetings/Happy Christmas

Not sure if this is my final posting before Christmas. Just in case it is, I’d like to wish everyone a joyous and loving festive season - and a very happy Christmas to everyone who celebrates it.