Blocks to Our Creativity

Why do so many educated and talented people create nothing? Why do so many people not write, compose, paint pictures and so on? It is advantageous for us. In fact we are configured in a way that makes all our acts, thought they might sometimes seem disadvantageous, bring us some benefit. “Is there really anything for me if I just don’t create anything?” my clients keep asking me somewhat annoyed. Yes, an artistic inactivity has several benefits. I am going to share with you the five most common ones:

When I am not creating:

1. I don’t have to meet myself (my inner self).
2. I don’t have to be responsible for my thoughts and ideas.
3. I can blame others for not enabling me to create.
4. I don’t run the risk of living in fear of being judged.
5. I can lead a slower and easier life.

Looking at the most often quoted reasons, we realise there’s a lot at stake.
What are the five most frequent excuses?

I don’t create because…

1. I have no time!
The paradoxical phenomenon of all successful creators is the fact that the busier they are the more creative they get. Nothing kills creativity better than weeks without employment and discipline. Time is a scarce commodity for everyone – we just have to make it.

2. I have no money!
A much favoured excuse, which provides a parking place even for very interesting projects. One of the excellent creativity awaking techniques says: Choose 5 things which your new project cannot do without. The ones you need unconditionally. How would you accomplish the project without these five things? How could it be done differently?

3. I don’t yet know who I am!
And if you don’t start doing anything, you won’t find out anyway. In essence it is the same as with a surgeon. He shouldn’t operate until he is experienced enough, but if doesn’t start, he will never become experienced.

4. Nobody is interested in it anyway!
Congratulations. So you have nothing to lose. So far you have been spared from the stress of expectation, which haunts those who are successful and popular. Enjoy the chance of being able to create freely, at least for the time being.

5. I am afraid of what others will say…!
This excuse is very aptly combated with advice, which a great of favourite mine, Austin Kleon often repeats with pleasure: “Compose music, which you want to hear, paint pictures, which you want to look at, start up a business, which you want to manage and write books, which you yearn to read. Do it!”

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