Photo credit: Christa Richert
Below are qualities or traits I believe help create a creative mind-set. What qualities work together to make creative success? What obstacles prevent you from being your best creative self?
Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
Be around people who some how move you closer to personal goals. Perhaps it is their grit and “see-it-through-ness.” Or, their ability to dream big. Surrounded with yes people you are more open to possibility.
Set Goals.
Even if you don’t reach then you will have striven further than if you didn’t at all.
Aim high.
If you don’t strive for the top I promise you will never get there.
Frame your words positively.
“When you publish…,” or “when I have my gallery representation…” helps you better prepare and aim for your creative dreams.
Be patient.
Reaching dreams, big or small, can take time! So many in this world of immediate gratification are missing out on their potential success because they give in too soon. How much do you really want [insert your goal here]? How long do Olympic hopefuls train? How much time have you dedicated to your goal?
Ask for help.
Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness, it is a sign of humility and awareness. We can’t possibly know everything about everything. And when you ask for help it opens the door for others to ask you, who knows what skills will show up at your doorstep looking to barter!?
Listen.
It is in the quiet moments, or in the space of mutual trust and respect that ideas can be borne. Sharing and listening creates the very environment that can lead to big ideas.
Celebrate the daydream.
It is often when doodling or daydreaming that your ideas will show themselves.
BE COURAGEOUSLY CREATIVE: Do you share a creative mind-set? What are two steps you can take today to support your creative process?
What a great list, Carrie! I’ve heard a number of these from the artists I’ve interviewed. The “Aim High” one resonated with me, from a successful novelist in Philly. He said you aim for the very top, so even if you fall short you’ve still accomplished more than you had with a more modest goal. Successful failing, I guess!
Thanks Patrick! I wish more people could celebrate the strides they make when they aim high, myself included. I often feel its “never enough,” which can be a bane and a blessing.
I seem to be having trouble with your comment section, I’ll try again, apologies if you get this multiple times.
I’ve heard a number of these great items from artists I’ve interviewed over the years. The “Aim High” one came from a novelist in Philly who said if you aim for the top, when you fail you’ve still reached higher than you would have with a more modest goal. Successful failing, I guess!