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• Creating Momentum - Following Joy (PDF)
Whenever we feel stuck, the trick is to use the action of creating momentum to our advantage. It’s your shortcut to getting unstuck and living the life you want. And that’s why I put together this little guide:
1. Anticipate joy
2. Get messy
3. Focus on what feels good
4. Go downstream
5. Get better as you go
6. Play, play, play
CLICK HERE to download your Creating Momentum - Following Joy (PDF)
• • •
For over twenty-five years I’ve been following my joy as an artist. And now I’ve condensed all those years of art-making-wisdom into this simple yet powerful guide. Seriously. It’s taken me forever. But it turned out pretty darn groovy. Oh, yeah.
I hope the idea of creating momentum brings you joy. I hope it helps you move ahead whenever you’re feeling stuck. And I hope it gives you the satisfaction of moving in the direction of your desires.
Here we go.
Artists face their fears day after day.
Some days the resistance to begin the work is so strong that they can barely bring themselves to step into the studio.
On those days, they must jump in and get messy. They trust that their momentum will lead them to the next step. And they’re willing to try without knowing where they’ll end up.
The action of creating momentum is your shortcut to getting unstuck and living the life you want.
You’re in the process of making a beautiful life.
Everything in life is a process. We can make big things happen in small steps. You can start today, wherever and however you are. Every little bit counts.
The beauty of a lifetime of making art is that you begin to desire not knowing how things will work out.
You begin to expect happy surprises with solutions you could have never imagined at the time.
Sure, you make your plans to get clarity. But you know the best stuff happens unexpectedly.
Resistance gets replaced by anticipation.
You anticipate the joy of letting yourself get pulled forward no matter what the outcome. Why? Because you’re in love with the process of creating.
It starts by being willing to try. Be that making art, making a habit, or making a career. It’s all the same.
Part 1. Try this thought experiment
Think of yourself as an artist. And think of your life as your masterpiece.
You show up every day with the intention of making your art your way. No matter how stuck or frustrated you may feel.
Because you’ve learned from experience to trust the creative process.
As a matter of fact, the more dedicated you are to making your masterpiece, the less you think about your fears.
You forget about not measuring up, failing, being rejected, or disappointing others. You let go of all that resistance. And you let yourself go with the flow.
And here’s why:
You’ve figured out that it’s not about YOU.
It’s never been about YOU.
It’s about surrendering to something greater than you. And trusting that your teeny tiny participation matters.
How does that make you feel?
Your creativity matters.
There's a buttload you can learn from the creative process about how to live your life. Are ya ready?
Part 2. Six ways to creating momentum
Okay, now you’re ready to read the juicy part. But please continue to think of yourself as an artist and your life as your masterpiece.
Making art is inherently about not being afraid of getting it wrong. And the same goes for getting unstuck.
Remember, artists get unstuck by using momentum to their advantage. So can you.
It’s about following your joy no matter what. And not getting stuck on figuring out HOW it’s all gonna work out ahead of time.
1. Anticipate joy.
There is no right or wrong way to make your artwork. There is no right or wrong way for you to be inspired. Have a grateful heart for what you’re creating. When you feel grateful and trust in the process, you’re in love with life.
And when you’re in love, you’re inspired. You feel purposeful.
You don’t need to understand anything to feel inspired. You don’t need to search for any answers. You know your purpose is to make your art your way. You’re following your joy. You’re giving your joy by sharing yourself through your art. You’re thriving.
When making art, it’s never about what you’re creating, but how you’re creating it. The same goes for life.
Ask yourself: Am I having fun?
2. Get messy.
You’ll always mess up before you figure out where you’re going. Not only that, but all hell breaks loose as soon as you make up your mind to start. It never fails. But it’s only your way of self-sabotaging yourself because you’re out of your comfort zone.
Be okay with being uncomfortable.
Remember, the bad paintings need to be painted. No bad paintings, no breakthrough. No mess, no clarity.
Things just get messy before they become clear. If you’re not messing up, you’re not taking any chances. And if you’re not taking any chances, you’re stuck.
Let things get messy. It’s the first step to getting unstuck.
Because you’re moving in the direction of your desires. No matter how messy it feels, you’ve created momentum. Whoopee!
Ask yourself: Am I taking chances?
3. Focus on what feels good.
Your power to get unstuck is always in the present moment. Your past thinking habits got you here. And your current thinking habits are creating your tomorrow.
Your focus creates and sets the direction of your momentum. And that’s your power.
You get to choose what you think about.
Remember, you’re already in the habit of creating momentum. The question is, in what direction is your momentum moving? Focus on what’s feeling good.
Ask yourself: Am I using my power?
4. Go downstream.
Stop thinking you need to prove yourself. Don’t complicate things. You don’t need to work harder to deserve what you want. You already deserve it.
Struggling or pushing your way through is always counterproductive.
Move through the process step by step. You can’t avoid the parts you dread. You can’t skip ahead. Impatience is simply another way we deal with being uncomfortable. We don’t like or understand what’s happening, so we force the results, only to find ourselves repeating our efforts over and over.
Let yourself go downstream. And be curious about everything you discover along the way. The momentum you’re creating will take you where you need to go.
Ask yourself: Am I paddling upstream?
5. Get better as you go.
Perfection is a big fat lie and it will keep you stuck all your life. Whatever you’re working on may turn out great or it may turn out awful and it doesn’t matter one bit. Not one little bit. Because it’s all inspired.
It’s all part of the process of moving in the direction of your desires.
There’s a future version of you that’s already been there, done that. Truth is, you keep getting better as you go. So the idea of perfection is pretty much pointless.
You simply can’t get it wrong.
Ask yourself: Am I putting my joy on hold?
6. Play, play, play.
The difference between feeling stuck and feeling ease is in your willingness to try. It’s your attitude that counts. What matters most is your willingness to try something new.
Your resistance to trying is only your fear of messing up. Making art is inherently about not being afraid of getting it wrong. It’s about trusting in the process so that whatever feels “wrong” is just the next step. And every step is always the first step.
Trust in the process. Once you’ve got momentum, every step leads to the next step, even if it doesn’t look like what you were expecting. The creative process is an adventure.
You don’t need to know how or understand why things are working out for you. You can show up and try despite your fears.
Ask yourself: Am I willing to try?
Conclusion.
You’re in the process of making a beautiful life. The action of creating momentum is your shortcut to getting unstuck and living the life you want.
It starts by being willing to try. Be that making art, making a habit, or making a career. It’s all the same.
Six ways to creating momentum:
1. Anticipate joy: Are you having fun?
2. Get messy: Are you taking chances?
3. Focus on what feels good: Are you using your power?
4. Go downstream: Are you paddling upstream?
5. Get better as you go: Are you putting your joy on hold?
6. Play, play, play: Are you willing to try?