During the past few of weeks at Chris Zydel’s intuitive painting classes, I’ve discovered two more important lessons in my creative process:
A lot can be produced in just 10 minutes
All you need to get started is 70%
A couple of weeks ago, as class was winding down, I found myself checking out and feeling done with my painting for the day (even though there clearly was room for more!).
Chris came over and asked, “What’s next? What are three things that could show up in this painting now?”
I pondered, “Maybe a cloud or a dragon’s head or a bird? ”
“Which one has the most juice for you?” Chris inquired.
I responded, “The dragon’s head, I guess.”
“Great, so that’s what’s next!”
“But there’s only 10 more minutes of class,” I proclaimed (or should I say whined!), thinking I wouldn’t have time to finish something new.
“That’s okay, just see what you can do,” Chris encouraged.
I grabbed a brush, dabbed some red paint and went to work. Lo and behold within less than five minutes I had finished the dragon’s head and included fire coming out of its mouth! Who knew I could get so much accomplished in such a short amount of time? What a good reminder, if I just spend even 10 minutes on something – a creative project, writing, planning – that I could actually get more done than I thought. And I have a great place to start from the next time I can pick back up again.
The next week, I showed up to class late, tired and a bit discombobulated. I had forgotten my wallet at home and had to turn back. By the time I finally got to the studio, I realized I had left my iPhone in the car and had to walk back to get it. I was already eating away at my painting time and was getting mad at myself.
I sighed as I started to gather my brushes and paints and said to Chris that I was feeling like I wasn’t fully present yet. I was only about 70% there. And of course the wise and loving Chris said, “Hey, that’s good enough!” I sat down and got to painting. Before I knew it, I was sucked in. Images and color poured on to the paper one after the other. I don’t even know when the shift happened, but I went from 70% barely there to 100% in the creative flow.
Often times when I’m not feeling totally in a creative mood or I’m slightly distracted, I’ll think that I’m not in the space to create. So, I don’t. I don’t write. I don’t paint. I don’t do yoga. I don’t work on a project that I need to. Because I’m waiting to already be engaged at 100% in order to get started. What I took away from class last week was that it’s okay (and even enjoyable and quite productive) to ease into it. To begin from where I’m at, 70%, 50% or merely 10% and go from there. Momentum will build and if it doesn’t that’s okay, too. At least I got started!
I’m really appreciating all of the lessons that are emerging through this creative process and I look forward to discovering more gems in class this week.
Congrats to these lucky ladies! Enjoy envisioning your bright future, Kirsten and Kim!
And since everyone is a winner in my book, I’m offering a special on my Unfolding Your Life Vision Kit for the rest of this week only: From now until midnight Pacific Friday, May 22nd, 2009 shipping is free for U.S. and Canada purchases and $5.00 off International purchases.
Can you believe were almost half way through 2009? Geez, where did the time go?! Have you been making progress toward your vision for the year? How bout some extra inspiration and tools for manifesting your big visions for the second half of the year?
I’m hosting a Vision Board Double Giveaway. There will be two lucky winners:
The other winner will receive one of my Unfolding Your Life Vision Kits (retail value: $35.00) to make a portable vision board.
Both are great resources for envisioning what you want in your life and making it happen.
To participate in this giveaway, please enter your contact information below by Tuesday, May 19th midnight Pacific. Your name will be submitted into the drawing and youll be signed up to receive my monthly Artizen Coaching newsletter thats full of inspiration, creativity and resources. You’ll also receive my colorful, newly re-designed free article 10 Tips to Awaken Your Inner Muse. Even if you already subscribe to my newsletter, you can still enter the drawing. We respect your privacy and will not sell, rent or disclose your contact information and each newsletter comes with an unsubscribe link in case you no longer wish to receive information from us.
Deadline to enter is Tuesday, May 19th at midnight Pacific – this giveaway is now closed. The two winners will be announced on Wednesday May 20th by 9:30am Pacific.
Last Tuesday in San Francisco, my fabulous friends Allie Covarrubias and Claire Fontana unveiled their new venture called Hatch Network, a business education network for women entrepreneurs. They’re building a platform for women entrepreneurs to grow their company at any stage of the business lifecycle – from launching and beyond. I can’t wait to see this program take off! My friends the amazing financial planner Cathy Curtis, fellow coach and leadership graduate Jane Inch and Ms. Elegant Ergo herself, Ruth Lowenhardt are three of the mentors who will be leading Hatch pods in the coming months. They rock!
I’m always inspired by the drive, passion and energy of my fellow Bay Area women entrepreneurs. Check out the super cool video above for interviews with ladies from the Hatch community (including me!).
Several women entrepreneur groups have sprung up across the country. Check out these awesome resources:
More right-brain resource goodness: Some silly fun from the Right-Brain Business Plan e-Course: “The Left-Brain Chill Pill” (see photo above) for calming the judging mind and enhancing right-brain creative intuition. Take with two deep breaths. An interesting post that asks is the traditional business world at war with creativity? A graphical look at the val […]
