What the Creative Process Isn't
Muse 6-16-24
WHAT THE CREATIVE PROCESS ISN'T
I’ve noticed a trend when I begin work with Mentorship clients. When I ask what their creative process is, I am mostly confronted by what their creative schedule is. Whether they feel best approaching their work early in the morning, late at night, in long blocks of time or short bursts.
This is tremendously valuable information to know, and many creatives spend a good deal of time unlearning what is suggested in school to find their most productive time to work. But when you work and how you work is your creative schedule, not your creative process. The time of day you work, when you know to take breaks, this is how you work your creative process into your day to meet deadlines. It’s a schedule, not a process.
What usually comes up next is what order the work occurs in. How the work itself is approached. The steps, skills involved, how a client’s expertise allows them to organize production and leadership. The tools needed, skills required, feedback given and received. While it is crucial to the creative process to know what comes next and how to approach a project, what is being described here is a creative practice, not a process. Your creative practice might show up as your credentials, whether a nurse, writer, CEO, graphic designer. The knowledge and tools you call upon every single day to move mountains, blow minds, and create something from nothing. Important, but still not your creative process.
I argue that your creative process is all the things in between that lead up to when you put your practice to work. When your schedule begins, when you put pen to paper. Your creative process is at work 24/7, integrating your experiences with the inspiration all around you. It is the part of our work we cannot direct or dictate. It has been alive your whole life offering insights from moments past to inform the present. Your creative process is the act of combining all your sensory experiences to create something entirely new from your unique perspective. It is the part of when we are creating that feels magical. We are in flow, there is movement, attunement, and we listen instead of direct. We are in response.
And while this indeed feels magical, it is of course maintenance. There is talk out there in the coaching realm that if we just blast through fear, ignore our inner critic and break through imposter syndrome we can visit this magical space known as the creative process. As a reader of this newsletter, you already know I do not believe in any of that. Attention given to fear is for amateurs. There is no such thing as the inner critic, and imposter syndrome is one small part of the invalidation and judgment that creatives handle as part of the work we do. We handle it, we do not have it. It doesn’t originate from within.
The creative process is cultivated through maintenance, exploration, and most importantly allowing for the right kind of experiences.
As creatives it is often assumed that we do not need to maintain our process so we aren't given the time to do so. This is ridiculous. As a psychotherapist I am required to accrue a certain number of continuing education units to keep my knowledge fresh and up to date. We wouldn’t argue with a bus driver needing new glasses or a dog walker needing new shoes. Yet, time spent having experiences is just as important to our work and productivity. Unfortunately there are few places where this kind of exploratory time is encouraged and made part of the work day. As creatives we must take it upon ourselves to go for a walk, visit a museum, attend a concert, go fishing. We do not know what we will find there, but we must trust that our process is alive and working while we engage in these sensory experiences.
Those of you reading who are GenX or older may remember when at the height of his basketball career Micheal Jordan left to play baseball. This decision sent shockwaves through sports and Michael took an enormous amount of heat for his decision. He was laughed at, judged harshly, invalidated, called insane, and stupid. None of which are his truth, but all external energies he handled in order to grow and shift his creative process.
It was 1994 and Jordan had won three NBA championships and earned three NBA MVP awards. He was at the top of his game and considered to be one if not THE best player ever to step on the court. The assumption was Jordan was leaving it all behind. He was turning his back on basketball and risking it all in some weird sort of egotistical crisis. I argue that this is simply not true. If we look at Jordan's decision from the perspective of a creative, we can guess that he was indeed playing basketball the entire time he was playing baseball. His creative process was integrating an entirely new way to participate in sports. His body was using different muscles, his senses were attune to different stimuli. He was participating in and witnessing an entirely different method of collaboration and teamwork.
When he returned to basketball the following spring Jordan went on to win two more league MVPs and three more championships. I’d say that’s pretty good evidence of someone who has insight into how their creative process works. Luckily most of us do not need to make such dramatic changes to create shifts in our process. That’s where I come in.
My work as a muse is to get you in touch with your creative process. To help organize your creative schedule, and yes your creative practice, but to help you support what truly cultivates the work you do on the deepest level. To allow for the experiences needed to be in your genius.
xxx
LAS
SOLAR TRANSIT
6-19-24
Gate 15
Gate of Extremes
On June 19, the Sun moves into Gate 15, the Gate of Extremes. During this celestial transit, you're invited to explore the dynamic and variable energy that defines this gate. Gate 15 encourages a deep connection with the full spectrum of human experiences, emphasizing the importance of embracing life's extremes.
Gate 15 resides in the G Center, the center of identity and direction in life, resonating with the natural cycles and rhythms that shape our existence. This gate embodies a wide range of behaviors and preferences, reflecting an innate adaptability and capacity to thrive in diverse environments. The energy of Gate 15 celebrates variability, encouraging you to find harmony within the chaos and to appreciate the richness of life's contrasts.
The influence of Gate 15 can manifest in behaviors that range from extreme dedication to intense relaxation, from profound engagement to complete withdrawal. This gate supports a full immersion in varied experiences, often challenging conventional norms and seeking out unique and transformative encounters.
Additionally, Gate 15 is associated with humanitarian and altruistic tendencies, fostering a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to social causes. Individuals with this gate may feel a strong connection to promoting inclusivity and diversity within their communities.
To elevate the frequency of Gate 15, channel its energy into positive and constructive outlets, use artistic and creative pursuits to express the variability and intensity of your experiences. This can provide a healthy outlet for processing emotions and finding harmony within extremes. Participate in community activities and social causes that align with your values. Your ability to navigate and understand extremes can be a powerful asset in promoting inclusivity and social justice. Engage in regular self-reflection to gain insights into your behaviors and patterns. Understanding how you respond to different extremes can help you navigate them more effectively and make more informed choices.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this transit:
1. How do you navigate the extremes in your life? Identify areas where you can embrace change more fluidly and find balance amidst the variability.
2. Consider your role in promoting inclusivity and diversity. How can you leverage your understanding of life's extremes to support social causes and uplift others?
3. Reflect on your strategies for maintaining balance during periods of intense activity or deep introspection. What self-care practices can you implement to support your well-being?
4.Think about how you can use artistic and creative pursuits to express the variability and intensity of your experiences. How can this help you process emotions and find harmony within extremes?
Gate 15, the Gate of Extremes, offers a unique and dynamic energy that encompasses the full spectrum of human experiences. Individuals with this gate are endowed with the capacity to embrace life's variability and navigate its extremes with grace and resilience. By harnessing the energy of Gate 15 in positive and constructive ways, they can contribute significantly to their personal growth and the well-being of their communities. Embracing the extremes of life and finding balance within them can lead to a rich, fulfilling, and transformative journey.
NEW PROMPT!!
Do you know about Tapping? It can be an effective addition to energy work and nervous system regulation. Many of my Mentorship clients include Tapping as part of their daily ritual. You can learn more about Tapping and how to do it by hitting the button below.
EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping Prompt for this transit.
“Even though I feel powerless to make a difference in the world I choose to follow my passion knowing that the more I show up as my true self, the more I inspire others to do the same and I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
FULL MOON
6-22-24
Capricorn
Gate 10
Gate of Behavior of the Self
The potent energy of the Full Moon beckons us to delve into self-discovery, urging us to identify and release aspects of our lives that no longer align with our intentions. This Full Moon in Capricorn, the Cardinal Earth sign, resides in the 10th House, illuminating themes of career, soul's purpose, recognition, and ambition. During this celestial event, we are called to explore and reassess our professional paths and the legacy we aspire to leave.
Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn embodies the qualities of success, ambition, and hard work, urging the pursuit of aspirations with diligence and determination. This is an optimal time to focus on building structure, establishing boundaries, and taking on responsibilities in both personal and professional spheres. Saturn's influence emphasizes discipline and the necessity of creating a solid foundation for long-term achievements.
Paired with Gate 10, the Gate of Behavior of the Self, this Full Moon presents an opportune moment for deep reflection. Gate 10 encourages a profound exploration of your needs, values, and desires, honoring them as the foundation for supporting authenticity and self-acceptance. This alignment between your inner truth and outward actions is crucial for cultivating meaningful achievements.
This Full Moon is a powerful invitation to dive deep into your internal world, reflecting on your beliefs and behaviors. Assess how they support or hinder your growth, and consider how you can transform what no longer serves you into opportunities for expansion. Embrace this period as a catalyst for shedding outdated patterns and embracing a more authentic and purposeful path.
Here are some journaling prompts to deepen your understanding and engagement with this Full Moon:
1. Reflect on your current career path. How aligned is it with your soul's purpose and long-term aspirations? What steps can you take to bring more structure and clarity to your professional life?
2. Consider how your behavior aligns with your true self. What aspects of your actions or attitudes no longer serve you? How can you honor your needs, values, and desires more authentically?
3. Explore the boundaries and responsibilities you have established in your life. Are they supporting your growth and success? What adjustments can you make to better balance personal and professional commitments?
4. Contemplate any outdated beliefs or patterns that you are ready to release. How can you transform these into opportunities for growth and expansion? What new beliefs or practices can you adopt to support your journey toward fulfillment?
Have a great week exploring this transit! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
Have a great week exploring this transit! Ready to learn more about your Human Design? Hit the buttons below to schedule a reading with me and download the free Human Design information sheets to learn more!
Q + A
Welcome to my exciting monthly feature: Q + A! I'm absolutely thrilled to be diving into your thought-provoking inquiries about Human Design, Astrology, creativity, and Energy Work. Your curiosity fuels my passion for sharing knowledge, and the process of answering your questions continually enriches my own understanding.
Consider this space a welcoming sanctuary for curiosity, self-discovery, and expanding your horizons. Here, you can explore the intricate world of Human Design, Astrology, and Energy Work, and discover how they can profoundly influence your creativity and success as a creative professional. It's a journey of enlightenment and empowerment, and I can't wait to embark on it with you.
Don't hesitate to send your questions my way by simply clicking the button below. I'll be selecting one or two to address in the upcoming first newsletter of each month. Your inquiries drive the conversation, and I'm eager to provide you with insightful answers.
Q: As a leader, how can I best manage an employee who is a Manifesting Generator?
Great question! Human Design is incredibly useful when it comes to leadership. Part of the work I do through Mentorship is to help guide executive leadership to discover new and innovative ways of managing and leading teams. Big shifts can occur in otherwise stale environments when leadership embraces a brand new perspective on their role. Systems are prone to express dysfunction when things at the very top are amiss. It is the job of leadership to do both the personal work and the professional development to ensure that a healthy workplace begins with them. I love working with leadership, as it is often where I see the biggest shifts. Can it be humorous to take a CEO who has never meditated and teach them how to energetically clear and ground their office before meetings? Yeah totally. But I’ll say there are a number of daring leaders out there who not only want to try something different but also want to feel differently about their role. I offer Human Design as the first step and then we get progressively weird after that. Ha!
The first step to managing Manifesting Generators is to understand how they operate best within a system.
Within systems, Manifesting Generators are known as EXPRESS BUILDERS. These natural doers are inherently designed to streamline processes, eliminate redundancies, and bring projects and ideas to fruition with remarkable speed and precision.Express builders and efficiency makers are best suited for roles where their primary task is to transform concepts into reality. Their innate ability to skip unnecessary steps and create streamlined processes allows them to complete tasks in the most productive manner possible. They possess a keen eye for identifying the most efficient path forward, ensuring that their work is not only effective but also timely.
These individuals typically exude a vibrant energy that propels them to move swiftly through their tasks. Their capacity to multitask and juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously is unparalleled. With their hands in several projects at once, they thrive on the dynamic nature of their work environment, often bringing a burst of life and momentum to the teams they are part of.
Gifted at actualizing projects and ideas quickly, express builders and efficiency makers are the driving force behind many successful ventures. They infuse their environments with a productive life force, ensuring that work progresses efficiently and effectively. Their ability to respond to the right projects and tasks—those that align with their strengths and interests—further enhances their productivity and satisfaction.
A defining characteristic of express builders and efficiency makers is their reliance on gut responses rather than purely logical reasoning. They require a variety of options and questions to accurately gauge where to best apply their energy. This intuitive decision-making process allows them to respond aptly to the demands of their work, ensuring that they are always engaged in tasks that are correct for them.
Ultimately, these individuals are on a journey to understand themselves and derive satisfaction from their daily work. By knowing their strengths and applying their energy where it is most effective, they not only achieve personal fulfillment but also contribute significantly to the success of their organizations.
There are specific strategies for managing Manifesting Generators that I share with Mentorship clients. If you would like to learn more about Mentorship, click below to set up an interview.
