McMeekin's 12 Secrets > Second Gateway: Mastering Your Challenges

A Self-Coaching Journey through Gail McMeekin's

The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women: a Portable Mentor

By Chris Dunmire

continued from First Gateway

Second Gateway: Mastering Your Challenges as a Creative Woman

Chapter 5 Questions for Reflection:

1. Can you be “selfish” enough to give your creative expression priority status in your life?
   
   
2. Do you recognize yourself a “type E” woman? If so, do you desire to change this?
   
   
3. The thinking and communication styles of “diffused awareness” and “focused consciousness” are discussed. Which one predominately fits you?

Chapter 6 Questions for Reflection:

1. “Gremlins.” Can you name your inner saboteurs and their messages to you? How do they affect your creative expression?
   
   
2. The practices of imaging and “Faking It Until You Make It” are described. Have you tried these, or are you willing to?
   
   
3. What “daring actions” are you willing to try to overcome the fear of criticism?
   
   
4. Note artist Carmella Yager’s advice about “Cultivating Self-Defense” in matters of handling criticism. How can you practice this?

Chapter 7 Questions for Reflection:

1. What guides or "encounters" with wisdom have facilitated the ease of your creative journey?
   
   
2. How do your answers to the questions of the Creative Heritage Challenge impact or give you more insight into your creative life?
   
   
3. As a self-coach, how can you keep yourself accountable in order to inspire growth and positive change?
   
   
4. How useful has networking been to you? Have you joined groups or started your own networking communities?

Chapter 8 Questions for Reflection:

1. Do you understand the differences between “partnerships” and “strategic alliances”? In what circumstances would you consider a partnership or an alliance with someone else?
   
   
2. Before considering a partnership or collaboration, will you be willing to do the Your Collaboration Profile Challenge?
   
   
3. What types of alliances or partnerships would benefit your situation to free up your creative energy and allow you more time to create?
   
   
4. Has the Internet opened up more possibilities for collaboration for you? What other ways can you connect and network with possible collaborators?

Chapter 9 Questions for Reflection:

1. How can you reframe rejection into something positive for yourself?
   
   
2. How do you feel when you receive criticism? What are some ways you would objectively evaluate criticism to see if it has merit?
   
   
3. What are some “societal scripts” that you’ve been taught and routinely fall into? Does this conditioning prevent you from accessing the power of your “inner warrior” to handle rebuffs and reroute criticism?
   
   
4. Can you tell when you are making decisions based on desperation instead of strength? What can you do instead if you are heading down this path?

Next: Third Gateway: Actualizing Creative Results »