The Insanity of Pressure

Share

CREATIVITY - The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc. [Creativity Week starts here. Click for this week's Bliss Initiatives.]


My apologies up front if you have tuned in today for my "Creativity where you need it most" post. I had a glimpse of idea with that post, as I usually do but some how I've gotten myself all off track and I really don't like it very much. I'm going to keep it in my pocket and see if it comes to fruition a little later in the week! Does that ever happen to you? It has been happening  to me a lot lately. I mentioned yesterday that I feel like I am on the verge of something, creatively speaking, and  something is getting in my way. A fear as our guest blogger, Elizabeth has suggested. 

"Under Pressure"

So today, I have decided  to debunk a myth about creativity. In my research for this week I ran into an article on Fast Company titled The 6 Myths Of Creativity. The article caught my eye and as I read it I realized I have spent my life in a creative trap and some of you may as well.


Number three on this list is "Time Pressure Fuels Creativity." Frankly I have lived by this idea. I think of myself as a "fly by the seat of my pants" type of gal who "works great under pressure." When I tell the story of my life there are a lot of "last minute saves" and "just in time" triumphs and I like the images that these ideas conjure up. I like to imagine I am on a quest, living a remarkable and interesting life even if the realities of being a stay at home mom can be far less inspiring. My perspective does provide an air of fun in my life but it may be hiding a fundamental truth. I do not fully engage with my circumstances.


This may actually be the key to the fear I've been avoiding! Eureka! As I am typing this it is suddenly clear that all my enthrall about the type of person I am has kept me from fully engaging with my problems. I count on the "squeak by" result and then am disappointed when it isn't fully satisfying. Great ideas require time. Forcing outcomes can require some creative maneuvering but it doesn't allow for the percolation of really outstanding breakthroughs. 


We have all heard the definition of insanity, doing the same things and expecting different results. I've been doing the "same things" my entire creative life and while this has netted me a delightful world view it has become hollow and incredibly unsatisfying. 


Whew! This is exciting. I really don't know what to say or do next. My normal way of reacting would be fierce concentration as I try to grab hold of the thread of inspiration. I now know this will only get me what I've gotten in the past so I must resist the temptation. I must try letting it be.  


I am on unstable ground here. I feel the fear. I feel the pull to act purposefully and I say no. Today I meander. Let's see what arises.


Has insanity creeped into your creative life too?


Next Post: Let's see what arises

My 13 bliss virtues are 

joy, order, creativity, passion, whimsy, serenity, inquiry, community, 

romance, gratitude, moxie, humility, and surprise.



This week we are exploring  Creativity. 

Next week is all about Passion

.