Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

Courage and Creating


Doing anything creative often brings up fears, anxieties, insecurities. Courage may be defined as going ahead in spite of fear. But many creators not only live with their fears, they welcome them.

Fear is perhaps the most basic emotion we have. As Leonardo da Vinci reportedly said, "Fear arises sooner than anything else." Writer Julia Cameron has commented that artists are often terrified. Being creative is venturing into the unknown, and it sets off emotional alarms.

Fear can show up, in various forms, at any stage of a creative project, and regardless of our level of talent or experience.

When she was told that Scholastic Press was paying a huge advance to publish her first Harry Potter book, J.K. Rowling said, "Most of me was just frozen in terror."

Actor Nicole Kidman admits she has tried to get out of almost every film she has done "because of sheer terror. I can always come up with a list of actresses who would do better."

Meryl Streep said she identified with "Adaptation" screenwriter Charlie Kaufman's insecurities. "You realize that everyone is just eaten up by that feeling," she said.

Many writers and coaches talk about the destructive and limiting effects of fear, and what to do about it.

Dr. Judith Orloff, author of the book Positive Energy, says we are addicted to fear. and cautions it is "the biggest energy thief there is." She counsels acknowledging any voice of fear in our head - "Thanks for sharing" - then moving awareness back to our heart.

Sandra Ford Walston, author of the book Courage: The Heart and Spirit of Every Woman, points out the cowardly lion of "The Wizard of Oz" actually had tremendous courage but was unable to perceive that quality in himself. She notes that people often do not recognize their everyday actions as courageous, especially women.

But is it always in our best interest as creators to "fight" fear?

Director Steven Spielberg has said, "I still have pretty much the same fears I had as a kid. I'm not sure I'd want to give them up; a lot of these insecurities fuel the movies I make."

Many actors and other artists say they are drawn to projects that make them feel scared. Meryl Streep said of insecurity, "Maybe it's a good thing. I hope it's some sort of breaking down of whatever is familiar to you. Whatever is complacent, whatever is easy."

American Buddhist nun Pema Chodron writes in her book The Places That Scare You: "To the extent that we stop struggling against uncertainty and ambiguity, to that extent we dissolve our fear."

Psychologist Robert Maurer has worked with many successful writers and other creative people, and thinks fear may be an indispensable part of the creative process.

"Fear is good," he says. "As children, fear is a natural part of our lives, but as adults we view fear as a disease. It's not a disease." He points out that a creative achievement, such as publishing your first novel, does not make fear go away.

He adds, "Your skill at being able to nourish yourself and give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them is your single greatest attribute as an artist and as a human being." Philosopher Mary Daly notes we "learn courage by couraging."

Doing what scares us can enable us to do more and be more.

Douglas Eby writes about psychological and social aspects of creative expression and achievement. His site has a wide range of articles, interviews, quotes and other material to inform and inspire: Talent Development Resources http://talentdevelop.com/


MORE RESOURCES:

Creativity - Google News

Creativity is key to CEOs - NetworkWorld.com


Creativity is key to CEOs
NetworkWorld.com
More than sustainability, operational effectiveness, or even dedication, creative leadership is an essential asset to permeate an enterprise. ...

and more »

Creativity, vision fuels her passion - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle


Creativity, vision fuels her passion
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
When you work in nonprofit it is fast-paced, mission-driven, has variety each day and allows creativity and vision to come to reality. ...

and more »

Sears Launches 'Crush Your Style' Competition for Tweens Who Can Show Their ... - PR Newswire (press release)


Sears Launches 'Crush Your Style' Competition for Tweens Who Can Show Their ...
PR Newswire (press release)
Just in time for back to school, the new Sears digital program aims to find the kids with the creativity, guts and style chops to be number one. ...

and more »

Social media-focused ad firms look to hire - Crain's New York Business


Social media-focused ad firms look to hire
Crain's New York Business
NYC-based digital marketing startups are on the prowl for young creative types conversant in Facebook and Twitter. When Dylan Harvey graduated from ...

and more »

A Half Hour of Exercise Can Boost Creativity for Hours - Lifehacker


A Half Hour of Exercise Can Boost Creativity for Hours
Lifehacker
Small lengths of exercise produce long lengths of boosted creativity. Many people who exercise attribute the change in scenery to their creative ...

and more »

Executive chef known for ice sculpture talent, creativity with gingerbread - The Exponent


Executive chef known for ice sculpture talent, creativity with gingerbread
The Exponent
The executive chef for Purdue Memorial Union is well-known for his cooking talent, but it's the gingerbread houses and ice carvings that ...

and more »

Demiurge: Creativity Is Key, But So Is Pragmatism - Gamasutra


Demiurge: Creativity Is Key, But So Is Pragmatism
Gamasutra
by Staff Albert Reed, studio head of Demiurge Studios, holds a view that while creativity is key in coming up with game concepts, so is honing those ...
Demiurge's Road To CreativityGamasutra

all 2 news articles »

DDB's Matt Eastwood Named Chief Creative Officer of DDB New York - PR Newswire (press release)


DDB's Matt Eastwood Named Chief Creative Officer of DDB New York
PR Newswire (press release)
NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- DDB New York announced today that it has appointed Matt Eastwood as Chief Creative Officer. Eastwood, who is currently the ...

and more »

Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ... - PR Newswire (press release)


Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ...
PR Newswire (press release)
ORRVILLE, Ohio, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Jif is now accepting entries in the Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest. ...
Jif® Calls for Entries in Ninth Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter ...Virtual Press Office (press release)

all 12 news articles »

Maker Faire puts the spotlight on creativity - Detroit Free Press


New York Times (blog)

Maker Faire puts the spotlight on creativity
Detroit Free Press
The two-day festival will showcase the creations of more than 260 inventors and other creative types from across the country this weekend at the Henry Ford ...
Maker Faire is coming, time to get your DIY on!AnnArbor.com

all 38 news articles »

Jumbuck Domain Is For Sale - $5,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.Jumbuck.biz 2010

home | site map | links

 

eXTReMe Tracker