Today,
We are going to learn to protect ourselves from our own doubts and fears in the creative process.
We will begin by examining the problem with goals.
Clients often come to me with a writing goal in mind,
But they have so much anxiety about meeting the goal that they can't really see it clearly.
We can learn to start working even when we feel anxiety,
But we can't work well unless we have a sense of clarity right here,
Right now,
In the present moment.
Clarity about what we're doing.
The exercises we will do today will begin to bring about that clarity for you.
Go ahead and get out your journal.
I want you to write down your current creative goal or dream.
Now,
Think about the feelings that you're having about this current creative goal or dream.
In your journal,
We'll write responses to each of these next questions.
For one minute each,
Remember,
We've talked about honesty and observation and non-judgment of what we're feeling.
We have an opportunity here to practice these as we answer each question.
What do the feelings about your current creative dream feel like in your body?
Begin.
Formed.
Good.
Finish the phrase that you're writing and then answer this question.
What phrases do you hear in your head as you think about this creative dream?
What do you hear in your head as you think about this creative dream?
Very good.
And what are some fears that you have about what could happen as you pursue this creative dream?
NEWsouthJELI Very good.
Finish the phrase you're writing now.
And then ask yourself,
What setbacks do you worry about?
Okay?
Very good.
Two more questions.
The next one is,
Who are you worried about disappointing?
Very good.
.
.
.
.
.
Good,
Finish the phrase you're writing now and we'll write in response to one more question,
Which is,
What is your worst case scenario?
What is your worst case scenario?
Very good.
Finish the phrase that you're writing and put your journal to the side.
Answering these questions helps you get clear about your worries and your fears.
It's like turning on the light in a dark closet and realizing that you have everyday human feelings.
Now we can turn to the sunlight.
I'll time you and for one minute,
I want you to describe the higher goal and purpose for your work by filling in the blank of this sentence.
I am doing my joy work because.
Silence.
Very good.
Now we'll follow up on this by responding to these questions for one minute each.
First,
How will doing this work change you?
Good.
Next question,
What concrete benefits will you get from it?
So,
Both rubble and concrete performance changes based on The Good,
And the final question is,
How will this work serve the world?
How will this work serve the world?
Very good.
So go ahead and put your journal to the side.
When I've done this exercise with clients they begin to get clarity on their anxieties and this allows them to make room for the wider vision of what they are doing.
As long as we are not clear about our anxieties,
They serve as a roadblock.
We think that there's something wrong with us or something wrong with the work,
But when we get clear about what we fear then we can start to move through it and realize that the fear is not our work.
The fear is not us.
And then we can make room for the wider vision of what we're doing because our work does serve others.
Our work has a purpose larger than ourselves.
And this leads to what I call joy work wisdom.
The insights that come from using journaling as a tool to be honest and dig deep into the truth of who you are and what you are doing.
I want you to close your eyes and sit back now and listen deeply as I say to you,
The work you do is not an end in itself.
Work is also a road that leads you to greater growth.
Work is a doorway for others who come after you.
Work is a way of being that helps co-create the world.
And in doing your joy work you are doing all this.
