What’s in a Name?

This summer I’ve been creating how-to videos for my 3 holiday ornament kits and I’m almost done with my latest here on the left.

(I know the holidays seem far away, but people who make their gifts need more time to plan them and get them done than people who buy their gifts.)

I love this ornament and always call it the Faberge Egg Ornament Kit in my head, but I just realized that I can’t actually name it that because well, Faberge is taken.

However, I can’t get that one out of my head, and all the new names I’ve come up with so far….stink.

This is a problem because I need to finish the how-to video by like, yesterday, and it needs a name for me to finish it.

This is where you come in.

Naming Contest!

I’m having one. Starting right now!

I’m so excited, I’ve never held a contest before.

The winner gets a single-color 3 ornament kit as the prize. (That’s a $47.00 value!)

(Or, if you like my Glitter Decoupage Kit better, you can choose one of those instead.)

All you have to do think up a fabulous name or three and leave me a comment telling me your suggestion(s).

(Or, if you’re shy about leaving comments, you can shoot me an email.)

Because I need to get this how-to video done already, the contest will only last for one week.

All suggestions must be submitted by Thursday, September 9th by 5pm!

I can’t wait to see your ideas!

P.S. I realize I wasn’t very clear–I don’ actually t want to use the word “egg”  in the name here–the reason I thought of Faberge Eggs initially was  just that they are all glammed up and glittery and I made them to look like they could open which reminded me of Faberge Eggs. I was more taken with the word Faberge.

And yet, it’s so easy to put your artmaking and creativity dead last–certainly after your obligations at work and meeting the needs of your family–two giant parts of life that are pretty compelling–but even after exercising, meditating, and eating right.

The thing is, “last” usually means “not at all” because we run out of time, energy or both.

And while it’s certainly it’s not a zero sum game–for instance, eating right and finding time for your creativity aren’t mutually exclusive–it’s worth considering why certain areas of your life get so much time and attention, and other areas so little.

Simple Changes/Big Symbolism

Let’s start with the “eating right’ thing.

I mean, sure, you and your family need to eat right, but is there a way to make it less time consuming? Can you pick a night that you order in and set aside that meal prep time for your artmaking instead?

Making this kind of simple change rarely affects just you, so it probably also includes having a conversation about it with your spouse/significant other.

Which is why you may unconsciously avoid it. But it’s also why you should really do it.

Because such a conversation can be a wonderful game changer for two reasons:

1. You’re saying out loud to the other important creator/maintainer of your current routine that you want to make a change in the current family system in order to carve out time for your creativity, which is a big step toward actually doing that–making the intention “public” if you will.

2. It’s a hugely symbolic, habit-shifting, mind-changing statement, because you’re also declaring out loud that your creativity is a priority to you.

So much so that you’re willing to have a conversation about re-arranging a family pattern to do it.

Even if this information surprises them. Even if you’re rusty, or it’s been a while. Even if it means that you’ll continue to have angst about your art during your desired, requested, routine-shaking newly carved out time.

Powerful stuff.

Don’t Wait Until Your “Serious”

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to wait until you’re “ready” to have this kind of conversation or make this kind of change.

You don’t have to “prove” anything to anyone once you do change your routine and make time for your creative endeavors by being super productive or making “great art.”

Even if other peoples’ routines have been affected.

This can be hard, uncomfortable, even scary–you might feel exposed or like your family is now expecting/waiting to see what fabulousness you going to start cranking out now that you’ve shaken things up.

You did not, however, make a promise, you declared an intention.

You’re simply making space for your creativity. To let it evolve and grow. It doesn’t mean all your mixed feelings go away. It doesn’t mean you’re suddenly freed up from all your angst and self doubt.

It just means you’re willing to be on your own side. To make a place for this essential part of you. That it matters as much as anything else.

I think that’s good. What do you think?

Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-Class

If such a thing tempts you, but you’re not sure how you’d actually use time set aside weekly for your creativity, why not sign up for a Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-Class?

It’s an affordable, EASY way to be creative every week, and you don’t have to self-motivate–just call in and we make art together–no matter how not-creative you’re feeling and no matter what’s hectic-ness has been happening.

You also get to you connect with other like minded artists from the comfort of your own home. What could be better?

Click here to sign up.

Please join in and share your 20 Minute Experiences in the Comments–good/bad, it’s all fair game, because sharing your experiences about the process is a great way to increase your creativity.

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The Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-class was once again my savior this week–the only way I managed to get a bit of creating done in my hectic schedule.

Which enabled me to set aside another 20 minutes to continue working on my new collages this morning as well.

Fresh design problems will do that because creativity begets more creativity.

It’s really as simple as that.

It’s also one of my favorite reasons for teaching this workshop every week because structured support really really helps make the creating happen.

I mean, why struggle to do it all on your own?

But you know, even bigger things are at stake.

Universal Truths

This week, I asked class participants to have copies of a few photos ready so we could play with having more overt “subject matter” in our collages.

Laura, one of the tele-class participants, sent me a note before class started that she was feeling unsure about using the photos she had on hand because she didn’t feel ready and they weren’t very good. Was it okay if she didn’t use photos this time?

Of course!

But I also suggested that bad or uninteresting photos might be good to use because they would allow her to “make a mess”. (Which is pretty much what I did this week with mine. )

Afterward, she wrote me another note about her response to incorporating photos into one of her collages:

“…making that collage felt very therapeutic for me. There was something about creating images that related to myself and my parents and our connections to the house I grew up in that made all our recent struggles feel more universal – in spite of the fact that the collage centered on pictures of me and other individual references...”

YES!

What an eloquent way to describe how creativity and making art can help you remember or realize the connections between your own life and the universal themes of the human condition.

That’s art at its best–truly impacting our every day lives–helping us make meaning and understand our place in the world.

And all this richness and possibility is sitting inside of you right now as well–willing to come out if you let it.

Thanks Laura, for letting me share that.

Get ‘Em While They’re Hot

The summer intro rate for the Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-class will only be available for a couple more weeks, so if you’ve been thinking about joining us and want to save some money, click on the link above to sign up for a class or three.

If you’re wondering what supplies you’ll need, check out the suggested supplies list.

There’s a 100% money back guarantee, but f you’re still a bit nervous about it, or wondering if you’re a good fit, click here:

http://makegreatstuff.com/creative-breakthroughs-teleclass-faqs/ to read my answers to all the questions you might have.

And you can always call me or email me directly (all that info can be found on FAQ page above).

I hope you join us.

Appreciation

Appreciating yourself is an important part of the 20 Minute Club because it helps you keep your creative momentum going.

Carving out the time to create is important of course, but it’s not enough. Getting (and eventually staying) on your own side is a critical factor for helping you take bigger risks with your work, get yourself out of a creative rut, or just enjoy the process more.

Taking the time to remember to appreciate yourself and all your efforts (big or small, creative or not) is a powerful way to make this happen.

Here are my five self-appreciations for this week:

1. I appreciate how I hung in there with my Paypal button struggles this week and finally reached detente emerged victorious.

2. I appreciate how much better I’m getting at honoring the work involved in the projects and kit ideas I conjure up which helps me be on my own side.

3. I appreciate how this honoring process is truly helping me do more accurate business planning. I find it so interesting how much the spiritual work helps the practical work.

4. I appreciate how much richness I receive from the often uncomfortable experience of always wanting to grow and stretch.

5. I appreciate every time I feel the fear and do it anyway–whatever “it” happens to be at the moment.

Your Turn

How was your creative week this week? Are you busy gearing up for September? Still vacationing? Immersed in your creativity and feeling fabulous? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!

Whether you’re passionate about them or not.

Meanwhile, other things that you really want to happen seem to fall by the wayside every week. Like your art.

And so you question yourself–Maybe I’m not really serious about doing it. Maybe I’m lazy. Maybe I don’t really have what it takes.

None of those mean judgments are true.

What is true is that you do have to create a momentum for your art in order for it to have a place in your life and that requires a good strategy.

One strategy that people rarely mention is the need for effective transitions.

Transitions

Transitions are invisible hooks and rituals built into the pattern of your day that allow you to move more easily from one activity to the next. We all use them regardless of how aware we are of their existence.

For instance, a common (often not-so-helpful) transition for coming home from work is to open the refrigerator and find something to eat. It rarely driven by hunger but is a repeated pattern that transitions you from “work mode” to “home mode.”

If you have to cook for other people every evening, your mind starts working on it an hour or two ahead of time and you transition to this activity by stopping in the grocery store on your way home to pick up a few things.

As you’re doing this, you’re mentally transitioning from work to meal prep, and the grocery stop helps you do it.

That’s why, if you have insomnia, it’s recommended that you create a “before bed” ritual that you don’t deviate from–you’re triggering your body to transition to sleep mode.

Costume Change

So. Your current routine has lots of momentum that’s aided and abetted by both small and big transitional rituals that help keep everything moving–regardless of how you might feel about them.

Your art needs these same transition helpers. And the good news is that you can create them!

They don’t have to be big or complicated–your brain loves symbols and will respond well to them.

For instance, costumes and uniforms are very effective symbols for us humans–so simply putting on an art apron might help you transition to making-art-mode.

I know when I don’t feel like going to the gym, changing into my gym clothes genuinely helps me get out the door because it helps my mind switch gears–even when I’m grumpy about it.

Of course, your costume transition symbol doesn’t have to be practical. Maybe you want to adorn yourself with the perfect art tiara to wear when you’re ready to signal the muse that it’s time to make some art.

(Most of us could use more fun in our lives, so infusing some fun and lightness into the process is a fantastic way to help yourself look forward to these transitions and therefore to your creating time.)

The Power of Place

Setting up your studio/work area is another great way to transition. (My smart friend Cairene at Third Hand Works calls this “preparing your container.”)

That might mean simply cleaning off your table top or pulling your supplies out of a (special) box or placing a framed picture of one of your art heroes out in the open to help inspire your actions as you get started.

And don’t forget the power of playing favorite music as part of your work space preparation–music alone can be a hugely effective transitional trigger to help you switch gears–so combining it with other transitional rituals is even better.

(You might find that playing the same song every time is especially effective–harking back to my workout routine, I always use the fastest song I own as the first one on my workout playlist because it really helps sets the tone for a successful run.)

Other options might include burning incense, meditating for a few minutes or saying a prayer or affirmation–the possibilities are endless.

Don’t be afraid to explore and experiment–the transitions you create just have to work for you.

Why Do We  Need This?

There are lots of mundane tasks we have to do and so we’ve already done the work to create transitions to help us do them.

The things (our art) that we want for ourselves are often bigger than the mundane tasks that make up much of our routines so they require extra attention to carve a space for them because they’re harder.

And they don’t have momentum–yet.

Figuring out effective rituals that help you more easily transition to your essential creative self is a necessary part of building that momentum.

Which is how you can make your art and creativity have as much of a role in your life as all those other things that fight to steal your attention and fill your time–especially those things you don’t even care about.

What Do You Think?

What transitions do you currently use in your life? Which ones do you like? What are ways that you could help yourself transition to “creating mode” from “work mode” or “helping-everyone-else mode?” Leave a comment, I’d love to hear!

Please join in and share your 20 Minute Experiences in the Comments–good/bad, it’s all fair game, because sharing your experiences about the process is a great way to increase your creativity.

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Creative Problem Solving

Developing my kits requires lots of creativity–from making the actual samples to sequencing the video, to figuring out cute but affordable packaging.

And teaching a technique on a video is not really the same as teaching it in person. I do things in a different order and sometimes have to leave things out that I would mention in person, etc.

Oh, and the re-shooting.

Did I mention having to hold myself in lots of awkward positions as I try to both shoot the video and demonstrate at the same time?

I see that I didn’t.

Well, this involves lots of standing in awkward (but creative!) contortionist poses as I wrap my body around the camera tripod so that you can see my hands clearly in front of the camera while trying to press the “record” button with my nose.

Really someone should make a video of that.

Cirque du Soleil here I come.

My Trusty Steed

Throughout my kit-making this summer, the timer has been my trusty steed.

Because I like some steps in these projects much more than others. So I need some structured support to see me through the hard stuff.

When I use the timer, I give my struggle parameters. (Parameters = Structured Support.)

This is a critical piece of why the timer idea works.

I don’t have to work on my beloved video forever all day–just an hour, or a half hour or 20 minutes–or whatever I can manage right then.

This makes it all feel much more do-able. (And assuaging your feelings is what’s key here.)

Doing this almost always leads to another hour or half hour or 20 minutes because really what I needed was a little jump start.

On the days that it doesn’t lead to another round, it’s all still good because I’ve moved my project forward anyway.

Because the timer helps make sure I get something done instead of nothing done.

Did you get your timer yet?

Appreciation

Appreciating yourself is an important part of the 20 Minute Club because it helps you keep your creative momentum going.

Carving out the time to create is important of course, but it’s not enough. Getting (and eventually staying) on your own side is a critical factor for helping you take bigger risks with your work, get yourself out of a creative rut, or just enjoy the process more.

Taking the time to remember to appreciate yourself and all your efforts (big or small, creative or not) is a powerful way to make this happen.

Here are my five self-appreciations for this week:

1. I appreciate that I went to The Met yesterday and continued to fulfill my promise to myself to look at art once a week. (I’m kind of blown away by how much doing this weekly helps me “refill the well.”) I visited the Chinese Garden Court, The Big Bambu Rooftop exhibit, and looked at a lot of gorgeous ancient pottery.

2. I appreciate the work I’m doing to release some very unhelpful belief patterns about being responsible for other people’s happiness as I try to help family members make some hard adjustments in their lives.

3. I appreciate that the work I’m doing on #2 is slowly working.

4. I appreciate that my faith in the helpfulness of the Creative Breakthroughs Collage Teleclass just increases more and more every week that I teach it. That feels fantastic.

5. I appreciate how much the Collage Tele-class helps my own art making and creates a weekly space for my own creative growth. It feels cool to have my teaching and my making be so aligned and symbiotic.

Your Turn

How was your creative week this week? Are you busy gearing up for September? Still vacationing? Immersed in your creativity and feeling fabulous? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!

Sometimes you ask yourself–”Why Bother?”

Why bother trying to create again, or practice a hard technique, or make work no one sees, or summon the courage to pursue an ambitious dream like having a show or selling your work.

And too often, your self doesn’t have a good answer back to that question, because your self and your doubts are in cahoots.

Well, I have a lot of thoughts about this, as you can well imagine, but I think Martha Graham said it best, so I’ve created this  8″ x 10″ reminder, using her inspiring quote.

I want you to click on that image, read it, and then print it out.

After that, you must stick it on your wall, tuck it in your purse or keep it on your night stand to read last thing before bed.

Click here or on the link below to get the PDF (or after you’ve clicked on the image to read it, just right/click to save it (if you’re on a pc) or control/click (if you’re on a mac) to save it.)

Either way, print it out. I mean it. It’s the best answer to the question “Why Bother” that I’ve read yet.

PDF version of Keep the Channel Open

Big Hugs…

Please join in and share your 20 Minute Experiences in the Comments–good/bad, it’s all fair game, because sharing your experiences about the process is a great way to increase your creativity.

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Tele-class Saves Woman from Head Exploding..Details at 11…

Seriously, that was me this week.

Wrapping my head around various technological system challenges filled my week.

Confusion. Dismay. Anxiety.

Did I mention confusion? And pretty much all week.

Giving all my creative attention to my business felt…necessary, but I barely had time to create any art this week.

No arty creativity =grumpy and out of sorts.

But then the Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-class rode in on its white horse and shining armor and saved the day.

And I realized all over again why structured support is so crucial to keeping any artist’s creative momentum going.

This was basically the scenario:

Wednesday 7:29pm: Tele-class starts in one minute.
Mental State: Frazzled, Distracted, Worn Out. Just…want…to…lie…down.

Wednesday 8:50pm: Tele-class is wrapping up and we’re discussing our collages.
Mental State: Relaxed, Happy, Rejuvenated.

I felt like myself again.

I would never have made any art that night without the structured support of the Collage Tele-class.

When you’re ridiculously busy and worn out by your other obligations, having a structured support mechanism outside of yourself to lean on is not only a big relief, but makes sustaining a creative momentum possible.

This tele-class is designed not only to help blocked artists get un-stuck, but to help all art-makers keep their creative momentum going and guarantee a time to play, experiment, and refill the well.

It helps me each week when I teach it–during the class, sure–but more importantly, for the rest of the week as well.

Because not only do I have a few new pieces to ponder for the 20 Minute Club, but participating in the class also maintains and rejuvenates my creative spirit, so I don’t have to dig it out from under 6 feet of task-and-obligation dirt in order to find it again when I’m ready to work on other pieces.

So even if you’re not a collage artist, it doesn’t matter. This class still benefits all your other creative pursuits because basically….

It’s yoga for your creativity.

I’m so convinced of this, I hope you join me so we can sustain our creative momentum together.

Appreciation

Appreciating yourself is an important part of the 20 Minute Club because it helps you keep your creative momentum going.

Carving out the time to create is important of course, but it’s not enough. Getting (and eventually staying) on your own side is a critical factor for helping you take bigger risks with your work, get yourself out of a creative rut, or just enjoy the process more.

Taking the time to remember to appreciate yourself and all your efforts (big or small, creative or not) is a powerful way to make this happen.

Here are my five self-appreciations for this week:

1. I appreciate that I’m staying open to other solutions to meet my business goals when technological challenges make it hard to do things the way I imagined.

2. I appreciate how much I learn by teaching my class every week and that I’m helping myself honor the process more and more all the time.

3. I appreciate that I took time out to look at art this week even though, once again, I felt too busy to do so. And boy, it was so rejuvenating.

4. I appreciate that I allow myself to stop looking at art when I’ve had enough–this keeps it fun and fulfilling and prevents it from turning into a “should” type experience.

5. I appreciate that I followed up on some leads for showing my artwork, even though I was nervous and it felt hard to do it.

Your Turn

How was your creative week this week? Were you bogged down in obligations? Still vacationing? Immersed in your creativity and feeling fabulous? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!

Or maybe you plan on making something tonight when you get home from work, but by then, you’re tired or not in the mood.

This is a very natural reaction to adding one more thing to your busy life. And the busier you are, the less “ready” you can feel for anything that’s new or hard or requires your focused attention.

The only thing is, this one more thing is your creativity, and it really matters to you.

The hard part about weaving creativity back into your life–or upping the ante and going deeper with what you are doing–is that it has to come from within.

Because it’s committing to yourself.

Which is a lot tougher than committing to other people. It takes more self-esteem. In addition, everyone understands and applauds committing to others, so it’s safe and the feedback’s great.

Which is why society or your family or your boss aren’t going to carve the time out for you.

So it’s a risk and it’s up to you. Of course you don’t “feel ready”.

Do it Anyway

Here’s the thing–nobody is really ever ready.

I mean, you read about people having epiphanies and suddenly turning their lives around and living their dream, but that’s rarely the way it happens.

If you want to start creating again, if you want to dig deeper and get bolder with your work, if you want to live your life as an artist, you have to start now, even if you’re not “ready.”

In fact, one of the greatest gifts that you can give to yourself and your creative dream is to realize that you can create even when you’re not ready or in the mood or feeling inspired.

But it’s hard. And scary. And maybe a little lonely. And did I mention hard?

Yup, you’re right. It’s all those things.

But that’s where I come in.

Structured Support

Because the creative life requires so much internal commitment, my goal here at Make Great Stuff is to provide you with structured support systems to see you through.

That’s what the 20 Minute Club and the Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-class are all about.

Do-able systems to help you create and build your creative momentum so that your artistic, creative essence is as important as all your other facets/roles that currently rule your life.

So that the dream of having a show or selling your work on Etsy or writing that novel or fill-in-the-blank can become a reality.

To live your life as an artist.

Don’t Wait Until You’re “Ready”

You don’t need all the supplies on the suggested materials list to sign up for the next Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-class. You just need a speaker phone or an earbud.

You don’t need to re-read how it’ll work, we’ll have fun even as you feel your way through the process.

It’s okay if you’re eating dinner at the same time or still gathering stuff and filling your water container at the start of the call.

Making time to create is about giving yourself your self back.

It’s about remembering how fun it is to play and immerse yourself in something artistic without having time to self-censor or the ability to compare yourself to others (because we’re on the phone!).

It’s about letting yourself try something new or make something ‘bad’ because you’re committing to the artistic experience and (practicing) not judging yourself all the time.

Because even though it’s hard, you realize these two things are a requirement of hanging in there for the long haul as an artist.

Creating Momentum

In addition, the tele-class dove-tails perfectly with the 20 Minute Club.

Because your unfinished or almost finished collage pieces are wonderful reasons for setting the timer for 20 minutes here and there (even when you’re tired or not in the mood) and responding and fixing and thinking aesthetic thoughts.

You’ll start to realize that when each of those 20 (or 30 or 40) minute sessions are up, you feel less tired than when you started.

Rejuvenated even.

You also realize your week has gotten a lot more artistic than it used to be. And that the more you do it, the easier it is to continue.

That’s momentum you’re witnessing–and finally moving in the direction you want.

Wow.

All this when you weren’t even “ready.”

Doesn’t that sound good? Come join me and let’s get started.

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What do you think? Are you waiting to “feel ready” or have you taken the plunge? Do you like the idea of structured support? Please share your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.

Please join in and share your 20 Minute Experiences in the Comments–good/bad, it’s all fair game, because sharing your experiences about the process is a great way to increase your creativity.

Matisse!

I realized a couple of weeks ago that I haven’t been allowing myself to take time out to go to galleries and museums in quite a while.

I’m so busy trying to create everything I want to offer here on Make Great Stuff, I felt like I couldn’t indulge myself this way. (!)

Sobered by the puritanical task master in my head, I decided it was time to make a change.

I’m now actively carving out time each week to immerse myself in one of my favorite activities–looking at art.

Last week I went to several galleries in the Chelsea gallery district of New York and this week I went to see the big Matisse show at the Museum of Modern Art.

Some of his work is quite famous, but I saw a lot of pieces I’d never seen before.

It was also interesting to see his process/on-going artistic struggle during the particular period of his career that they focused on in this show.

But most of all, it felt great to give myself this artistic nourishment.

Taking the time to look at art or craft or design is a great use of the 20 Minute Club. Even if that means flipping through your favorite magazines in front of the TV.

It helps you feel connected to the world of art, gives you great ideas, and feeds your creative self.

Don’t overlook its importance in helping you build and sustain your creative momentum.

Appreciation

Appreciating yourself is an important part of the 20 Minute Club because it helps you keep your creative momentum going.

Carving out the time to create is important of course, but it’s not enough. Getting (and eventually staying) on your own side is a critical factor for helping you take bigger risks with your work, get yourself out of a creative rut, or just enjoy the process more.

Taking the time to remember to appreciate yourself and all your efforts (big or small, creative or not) is a powerful way to make this happen.

Here are my five self-appreciations for this week:

1. I appreciate how hard I worked to update my website, even when technology seemed to be getting the best of me.

2. I appreciate my willingness to live with imperfection regarding #1, and to not turn things into emergencies that aren’t.

3. I appreciate my progress with my latest video for my latest kit, which is a fabulous holiday ornament I think you’ll love to make.

4. I appreciate my realization that solutions to the questions I have always show up, so why not have faith that this will happen instead of worrying when I can’t figure something out?

5. I appreciate how much fun I had teaching the Creative Breakthroughs Collage Tele-class this week and how much I enjoy continuing to work on what I create during class.

Your Turn

How was your creative week? Did you use a timer? Are you making art on vacation? Please share in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.

Don’t you know it more deeply, more profoundly than almost anything else?

Then why do you give yourself such a hard time when you find something difficult to do or learn? When you haven’t reached your secret artistic dream or goal?

Let’s face it, everything we want most dearly is usually a challenge. Or else we’d already “have” it.

Being Up for the Challenge

What if you could change your perception about the difficulty instead?

What if you could accept that this challenge (you care so deeply about) is hard, but decide you’re up for the experience anyway?

For the long haul.

That you honor and respect your willingness to be up for the challenge.

That you realize how much respect you have for other people who are up for their challenges.

People who are willing to fall on their faces as they attempt their hard “thing” whatever that is.

Because when it’s someone else, it’s so easy to see the integrity of being willing to be challenged. Of trying a hard thing.

You don’t think, “What an ass.” as they struggle. You think, “Wow, I wish I could let myself do that.”

Well, you can.

Even if what you’re struggling with is something you think you should be better at. Even if you “used to be” really good at it.

Even if you’re still party worried you aren’t talented enough.

And what if you could be free of that thought? The thought that you aren’t talented enough. That you don’t have what it takes.

Wouldn’t that alone make facing the challenge worthwhile?

Embracing your challenges, taking chances and getting bolder with your work all require facing and interacting with those fears that you aren’t talented enough, that you don’t have what it takes.

And doing your hard thing is the only way to make those fears less real.

Working on something difficult for the long haul–like your artwork–challenging yourself again and again to express what you want to express, to take your skill where you’d really like it to go–requires courage–but mostly at first.

Because the longer you hang in there, the more you realize that facing your challenge is about honoring the process.

And every step closer to truly honoring the process weakens the bravado of those crippling thoughts about talent and having what it takes.

Therefore, the more you honor the process, the less courage you need.

And you become more free.

If that ain’t worth it, I don’t know what is.

What Do You Think?

Do you have creative challenges you’d like to commit to more deeply? What tough lessons have helped you in your life? Please share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.