About this time last year I made a decision to pursue an idea for a major new creative project despite having no idea how I was going to make it a reality or if it would actually work!
Yet I felt deeply inspired to focus my energy directly on my true passion of opening the way for people to discover their authentic voice – on the page and in the world. I also felt a strong impulse to serve a wide, international audience of aspiring and published authors who value a conscious and creative approach to writing for publication.
So I found a source of high quality, reliable information which resonated with me, and I took action to learn what I needed to know to transform my vision into reality.
Along the way, I had to pause to take care of other commitments and priorities. Yet the vision was taking shape so powerfully that I knew intuitively I was on track and chose to trust the unfolding process completely.
Fast forward to today and I am just emerging from what can only be described as the hugely successful launch of the International Association of Conscious & Creative Writers (IACCW).
So here are five of the valuable lessons I have been reminded of from this experience which can be applied to creating and launching any project:
1. Trust your intuition: when it comes to creative projects, you can’t work everything out intellectually, especially when you are forging new ground and don’t yet know how the details will unfold.
So the more you pay attention to the sense of Knowing which is the hallmark of intuition, the more it will serve you and become your most reliable ally.
Begin by listening to the still, small voice within to enjoy the rewards of this valuable inner resource.
2. Align yourself consciously with the creative flow: the impulse to create actually arises from stillness, silence and space, even if it doesn’t always appear that way.
The energy shows up first as sparks of inspiration which progress through the imagination, and onto the page, or out to the world, through whatever form of creative expression you choose.
Prioritise having some space in your life, however busy your schedule is, and commit to nurturing your imagination to maintain your momentum for the duration of your project.
3. Become comfortable with not knowing the ‘how’: many people feel uncomfortable when they are faced with a new situation they have no previous experience of.
In fact, few people are truly comfortable in a state of ‘not knowing’. Yet it is one of the most liberating thresholds to cross when you let go of the need to know ‘how’ something will happen.
Understand that welcoming the unknown and having confidence that you will find all that you need along the way means you can take appropriate action one step at a time.
4. Balance creative expression and action, with stillness and reflection: it is not possible to remain in a permanently creative and active state without eventually damaging your health and sense of well-being.
Too much of anything can turn into its opposite. Creativity can become destructive when it is out of balance.
Ensure you have regular periods of stillness and reflection, even if it is just 30 minutes at a time, to maintain your balance as the vehicle through which the creative energy flows.
5. Know your ‘anchors’: creative projects have a way of drawing you in so deeply that it is possible to get lost in the ‘story’ unless you have anchor points to keep you centred.
Over the years I have developed my own range of ‘anchors’ which support me to remain grounded and simultaneously connected to Source including: meditation, ashtanga yoga, nature, walking, journal writing, music, space, regular ‘time out’, and spa days to name just a few!
Ensure that you know what your ‘anchors’ are and make sure they are part of your regular everyday life. That way you can enjoy the ride to infinity and beyond … and find your way back again!
As always, I love hearing about your experiences and views so do post your comments in response to this article below …
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© Julia McCutchen 2010. All Rights Reserved.
If you want to use this article in your ezine or on your website I’d be happy for you to do so as long as you use the complete article, including the copyright line, and include the following paragraph in its entirety:
Julia McCutchen is the founder & creative director of the International Association of Conscious & Creative Writers (IACCW) where writers discover their authentic voice – on the page and in the world. A former managing director & publisher (Element, Random House), Julia is a successful and intuitive writer’s coach, mentor and professional publishing consultant. She has over 20 years’ experience of the publishing world and a track record that includes UK no 1 and international bestsellers. Julia is the author of The Writer’s Journey: From Inspiration to Publication and the creator of the How to Write the Ultimate Book Proposal Online Masterclass Course. For a FREE Special Report, Discover Your Authentic Voice – on the page and in the world, visit www.iaccw.com, and see www.JuliaMcCutchen.com for a range of FREE articles, audios and videos for writers.
Tags: authentic, creative, creative process, passion
I resonate with your journey and discoveries, Julia. I live in the middle of rural Iowa, USA, and sometimes I feel isolated here. When a writer friend sent me information about the teleseminars, particularly the one with Arielle Ford, I went to your web site, liked what I saw, and signed up! Thank you for living and writing as an open soul! I’m a charter member and proud of it.
Hi Deborah – I am always happy to connect with others who resonate with my journey and discoveries, so thank you for reaching out to say ‘hi’!
How wonderful that your friend sent you the information about the IACCW Launch Symposium and I am delighted to know that we are reaching you in rural Iowa.
Thank you so much for your comments and a very warm welcome to you. There are no further Charter memberships left now so you are indeed one of the original IACCW members. I will look forward to getting to know you and to supporting your writing over the coming weeks and months … Julia
Hi Julia,
Your words are truly inspiring. As a writer who lives in a remote area with the only support being online friends, I am often in awe of your wisdom. Your 5 lessons – trust, align, become, balance and anchors are very powerful words to remember when refocusing the energy, the passion and the vision of the project. You write from the heart, from the soul and that always shines through. I imagine that is why the symposium was so successful for you!
I am grateful for the reminder to trust in one’s intuition, a timely reminder all the more powerful for its simplicity.
I also like the call to stillness – I must practice this, I rarely do and would benefit from following rather than just noting this wisdom.
Having met two American students tonight at my regular writing group in Bath (England) and seeing Deborah’s comment made earlier, I am pleased to be reminded just how much writing and wisdom transcend national boundaries.
Hi Jenny
Thank you so much for your comment and I am delighted to hear that you have found this article inspiring. I am inspired to know that my words are reaching out to you in your remote location!
I am also deeply appreciative of your comment about my writing being from the heart and the soul – it is firmly my intention to ‘walk my talk’ so thank you for letting me know that this is working for you.
Julia
Hi Mark
Yes, I would say that my intuition is one of my most important assets for my writing, for my business and for life in general.
I’m so glad that you are reminded of the value of stillness and hope that you are inspired to make this a reality in your life.
And I also love the international flavour of all that we are able to share as writers – no borders for us!
Julia