As I have been unleashing my creativity, I have noticed a resistance that exists. When you start to focus on performing from your strengths, you probably will feel uncomfortable and seem weird. Let’s learn how to overcome that resistance and push through to the other side.
I think that sometimes love gets in the way of itself – you know, love interrupts itself. We want things so much we sabotage them. – Jack White
In this podcast we examine the resistance we experience when realizing our true self. Then, I’ll open up my playbook and share with you my strategy and 4 tactics to help overcome the resistance.
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Where does the resistance come from?
Creativity is weird.
As highlighted in last week’s episode, most people don’t have the opportunity to do what they do best every day. Realize that you won’t be normal when you start to study the game, perform from your strengths, and follow the stars.
Trusting our creativity is a new behavior for many of us. It may feel quite threatening initially, not only to us but also to our intimates. We may feel— and look— erratic. This erraticism is a normal part of getting unstuck, pulling free from the muck that has blocked us. It is important to remember that at first flush, going sane feels just like going crazy. – Julia Cameron
Family and friends resist change.
When you take your life seriously and focus your person artistry, you threaten the comfort of friends and family. Keep in mind, most people prefer to stay in their comfort zone.
Do not expect your blocked friends to applaud your recovery. That’s like expecting your best friends from the bar to celebrate your sobriety. How can they when their own drinking is something they want to hold on to? – Julia Cameron
Internal doubts want to keep you safe.
Change means uncertainty. The unknown is both scary and potentially dangerous. Internal doubts emerge in the form of excuses, procrastination, and destructive behaviors. All of these are forms of self-defense that actually result in self-sabotage. Get comfortable with the unknown.
“The point is not to overcome your self-doubts about being an artist. The point is to move through your self-doubts. Many of us believe that “real artists” do not experience self-doubt. In truth, artists are people who have learned to live with doubt and do the work anyway.” – Julia Cameron
Faith, Forgiveness, and Gratitude.
Faith, forgiveness, and gratitude give you the power to take action. Here you will find comfort in uncertain times.
Faith.
Faith is the act of trusting the unknown. Trust that the universe has a purpose for you.
Art is an act of faith, and we practice practicing it. Sometimes we are called on pilgrimages on its behalf and, like many pilgrims, we doubt the call even as we answer it. But answer we do. – Julia Cameron
Forgiveness.
Everybody must make mistakes as they start to channel their creativity. Rather than beat ourselves up over stupid mistakes, let’s forgive ourselves and learn from them.
“Do not fear mistakes – there are none.” – Miles Davis
“My creativity leads me to forgiveness and self-forgiveness.” – Julia Cameron
Gratitude.
Cultivating gratitude blooms positive energy. Feelings of joy and openness begin to emit. To appreciate something sincerely, you can’t take it for granted. Recognizing the miracle of life and the inevitability of death develops the urgency necessary to take action.
“Long-harbored dreams bloomed everywhere the Great Creator turned a gardening hand. I received thank yous that properly belonged to God.” – Julia Cameron
4 Tricks to Overcome the Resistance
1) Inspiration anchor.
Imagine the people who inspire you. Picture them in your mind’s eye. Hear their words. Feel the weight of their actions. Amplify it. Make the picture bigger, their words louder, and their actions heavier. Now, touch your thumb to the second knuckle on your index finger. Repeat this several times.
What you are building is a tactile anchor. Whenever you touch your thumb to the second knuckle on your index finger you should feel a subtle jolt of inspiration.
2) Highlight reel.
Now, take the time to run through all the times you were proud of yourself. When did you feel accomplished? When did you receive a meaningful compliment? When did you win awards? When did you do something you thought you never could? Run through the mental reel.
Now, if you touch your thumb and your middle finger together, you will anchor this feeling. At times when the challenge seems insurmountable, use this tactile anchor to remind you how amazingly capable you truly are.
3) Failure reframe.
School trains us from a young age to avoid being wrong. However, when it comes becoming who you truly are, you must be willing to be wrong. Failure is where the magic happens.
Failure is a learning opportunity, not an outcome.
4) Loss reframe.
To fully become who you are means letting go of who you are not. Being creative mandates that you will experience loss. When faced with loss, we must reframe it into opportunity.
“Every loss must always be viewed as a potential gain; it’s all in the framing. Every end is a beginning.” – Julia Cameron
Closing Comments
1. I am not a guru, nor am I trying to be. I am exploring my own true self alongside you.
2. If you have an idea for a podcast you would like to see or a question answered in an upcoming episode,
Resources
Seth Godin on the Lizard Brain
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron