We are Programmed to Avoid Risk
Anything worth doing involves some risk: Even the simplest act of meeting new people has inherent risk. We are always one interaction away from feeling humiliated, embarrassed, feeling not good enough.
This is why many of us choose inactivity over action. We will avoid going out of our routine or changing daily expectations. Yesterday I broke routine. I finally stopped at a coffee shop I have passed every day for years and it felt wonderful.
When we are successful in breaking the norm, the first thing we will realize is there was never a reason to avoid it. I barely take time for a deep breath; how can I expect to allow myself the privilege to do nothing?
Another aspect of programming is achieving something every day. To simply sit still and relax is often a difficult task. Have you ever had lunch and gobbled it down because you needed to get back to work?
Nature is my strength and comfort, but I often have difficulty stopping to enjoy it without tasks and thoughts rushing in.
The concept of changing is a process much like how we’ve been programmed. The first feeling is discomfort, if we can get past that, we start feeling a rush of calm. The fear and instinct to avoid is a strong tendency, when we break the cycle, our bodies feel anxious.
The anxiety will quickly subside as we overcome the initial obstacle. We will often realize how much time passes without us being present. The feeling of time eluding us and we are simply stumbling through days.
Creativity is Risky: Who told us we had to be great not only the first time, but every time.
I have taught painting to a student in the past. This particular student was not afraid of failing and that is rare. Many times when people just begin to create, they are afraid of failing.
Fear of Failing Kills Creativity:
In the past when someone complemented a work that was in the beginning stages, it would stop the flow. Suddenly the painting belongs to someone else. What if you ruin the aspect that was working.
I would suggest a student working on begining a painting or artwork to paint an X across the canvas. The very dramatic feeling of ruining what you worked for will free you from the feeling that anything you create can be ruined.
Once you have no fear, you are able to do great things, to take risks, try various colors or techniques. There is no room for painting in the lines with art, the whole idea is to break out of what the conscious mind insists or expects.
Some Ideas for Breaking Out of Your Limited Creative Tendencies:
Never say I don't do portraits, illustration, abstracts.....Never allow yourself to be contained by expectation-you will stunt your own growth and loose much of the enjoyment of creating.
Doodle Often- The great thing about doodling is it destroys the expectation. It can be much like warming up for working out. It will allow. you the feeling of freedom without fear of ruining anything.
Don't Fear Creative Block- When you can't create you must realize it is not time to create. There are plateaus during your creative growth and blocks are when the information you learned is in a holding pattern. Don't panic, be excited for what is coming next.
If you don't fight the block, it will end quicker and the excitement allows the mind and body to expect good things from a block instead of apprehension and anxiety. You are reassuring your creative subconscious there is nothing to be alarmed about.
Failure is the greatest teacher- You will learn so much more from failing, both how to go with the feeling and how to correct a problem that didn't work. Creativity is a series of great failures and amazing lessons learned, you can not separate the two.
Risk is the Beginning of Your World Opening Up and Failure is the Lesson of the Day
Failure has become a bully when it should've been a teacher. You will fail, you will stumble and no one will remember you for this, it is the times you get up and how you deal with success. This is what builds pride and confidence and fear doesn't stand a chance.
I teach non-creatives to find their creativity and creatives to get unblocked. Subscribe to my newsletter for more on this subject.