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#23: What You Focus On Grows

Attitude/Intention + Behavior = Outcome

By Chris Dunmire, CoachingYourCreativity.com

(continued from page 1)

Speaking of creativity, following are two blog chunks I've relocated from my Creative Slush site into this article to further help you contemplate the whole "What You Focus On Grows" idea. See how these ideas resonate with you.

Belief in Your Creativity

Dan Goodwin's September 2008 Creativity Cookies column deals with the subject of belief, in particular, the beliefs we have about our creativity.

Dan encourages us to take an honest assessment of our beliefs by listing both the positive and negative ones we hold about ourselves. There's more to this exercise as you'll see, but as I started writing my list, I realized how valuable this exercise is for giving me the opportunity to dialogue with myself about what shapes my perceptions and attitudes about my creative life.

Which makes me wonder: Don't the beliefs we hold about anything ultimately affect how we relate to everything else in the universe?

It's Impossible to be Creative if...

I've had great success in using the psychological/behavioral tool Act As If to enrichen my life and creative confidence. I absolutely believe that 'where my mind goes, my energy flows.'

On a related note about creative attitudes and behavior, while reading the preface to author Michael Michalko's book, Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques, I paused at his proclamation: "It's impossible to be creative if you are negative."

He continues:

"Most people presume that our attitudes affect our behavior, and this is true. But it’s also true that our behavior determines our attitudes. You can pretend or act your way into a new attitude. We choose to be positive or to be negative."

Think about it... when you're in a bad mood or downward spiral, isn't it hard to be productive in any capacity, let alone creatively?

Overly critical self-talk, comparing yourself to others, and being a perfectionist can all lead to a negative state of mind and make it difficult or even impossible for you to take even small steps forward in your creative life.

So let's leave this on an inspired note by turning a negative frown upside down. Feel free to add to my list. It's POSSIBLE to be creative if you're:

• Refreshed
• Curious
• Attentive
• Joyful
• Playful
• Optimistic
• Open ...

© 2008 Chris Dunmire, CoachingYourCreativity.com. All rights reserved. (10/20/08). Please do not duplicate this article elsewhere without my permission.

About the Author
Chris Dunmire is the author of the Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant and driving force behind the popular Creativity Portal Web site. She finds meaning as an artist, humorist, and creativity coach and channels her overactive imagination into multiple containers on display at ChrisDunmire.com.