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The Creative Breakthrough You’ve Been Waiting for

What it looks like and how to get it

By Dan Goodwin

How often in your creative life do you bow down to the all powerful “If Only”?

“IF ONLY I was a better writer I’d sell more books.”

“IF ONLY I had more courage then I’d attempt that new idea for a painting.”

“IF ONLY I was a better communicator, then I could make more contacts in the industry, get my sculpture work known and be happy that I’m achieving acclaim.”

“IF ONLY I had some kind of creative breakthrough...”

Many of us think in this way for much of the time. We feel if only we were better or different in some way then we’d have that which we so desired, whatever it may be, and our lives would be perfect and happy-ever-after.

The “If Only” we crave is some kind of change of circumstance, a significant creative breakthrough.

But, while we continue to view it from this powerless perspective — that this breakthrough is something that can only suddenly and magically happen TO us — we’re destined to remain frustrated and unhappy.

So what can we do, how CAN we regain control and actually achieve the creative breakthroughs that we desire?

The secret is to flip our tired way of thinking on its head.

Old Thinking: “This is who I am right now, but this is how I want my creative life to be. I don’t think the two are compatible and I can’t change so I might as well give up now.”

We can switch this to:

New Thinking: “This is how I want my creative life to be. What changes in my thinking, outlook, behaviour and actions do I need to make for that to happen, and for me to get there?”

It’s a subtle switch but a crucial one. Rather than being resigned to the idea that we are static immovable beings who are incapable of change, then focusing our energy on bemoaning the fact, we switch our focus from how we are now to how we WANT to be. Then we look at the different elements of ourselves we need to evolve to get there.

To show this more clearly, let’s reframe the previous examples:

Example 1

“IF ONLY I was a better writer I’d sell more books.”

Could become:

“I want to sell more books. What changes in my thinking, outlook, behaviour and actions do I need to make for that to happen?”

Maybe a part of this change involves becoming a better writer. But then also a part of it may involve being more confident in your work, becoming more prolific and producing more, creating the opportunities to meet more publishers, looking at other ways and formats of selling your writing and so on.

Example 2

“IF ONLY I had more courage then I’d attempt that new idea for a painting.”

Could become:

“I want to attempt new ways of painting. What changes in my thinking, outlook, behaviour and actions do I need to make for that to happen?”

Maybe you could study other paintings and artists, visit some galleries, join a new type of art class, get some new types of paint and canvas and just give it a go and see where it leads, or ALL of these things and more.

Example 3

“IF ONLY I was a better communicator, then I could make more contacts in the industry, get my sculpture work known and be happy that I’m achieving acclaim.”

Could become:

“I want to get my sculpture work better known. What changes in my thinking, outlook, behaviour and actions do I need to make for that to happen?”

I could approach some local galleries to put on an exhibition, I could join an art group, I could see if some of the trendy restaurants in the nearby town would display a sculpture or two of mine, I could explore the possibilities of displaying pictures of my work online, and so on.

Common to all of these is that the first change needed is a change in thinking and perception.

That elusive creative breakthrough has to happen in our mind before it happens in our creative work.

Once we have the shift in our outlook, there follows a natural shift in energy, focus and intention and we begin to find any number of ways of getting closer to what we want in our creative work and life.

So remember, gain a clear view of what you want, then ask what changes you need to make to your thinking, outlook, behaviour and actions for it to happen. Go on, amaze yourself, it may be a lot easier than you think! •

© Copyright 2007 Dan Goodwin

About the Author | More by Dan Goodwin
Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin is the author of “Create Create!”, a FREE twice monthly ezine for people who want simple and powerful articles, tips and exercises to help them unleash their creative talents. Sign up right now and get your FREE “Explode Your Creativity!” Action Workbook, at www.CoachCreative.com.

01/26/07