Breaking Through Our Creative Blocks for Success

During a recent lifestyle coaching session, one of my clients asked if we could discuss the various causes behind our "creative blocks" in life. Probably the most noted one is "writer's block," when we hit a wall in trying to create, begin, or finish anything from a homework assignment, speech, or actual literary project.

But these blocks can also arise with projects that pertain to music, art, or even trying to decide how to landscape our yard. The block many times will manifest itself as procrastination — with a seeming lack of creativity we put off finishing projects we are working on or find a thousand reasons why we don't even begin them.


While there may be many causes for creative block, I believe the most prolific ones have to do with : 1) a mental, physical, or spiritual fatigue; or 2) a self limiting judgment/belief that questions "who are we to be creative" . . . or "who are we to take this time for ourselves to . . .".
If we are fatigued mentally, physically, or spiritually, our ability to be creative diminishes greatly. Creativity needs to come from a place that is well nourished, a mind that is relaxed, open and intuitive, a body that is rested and well fed, and a spiritual foundation that is supported by daily prayer, meditation, and gratitude. If you personally hit a creative block, evaluate yourself against these three criteria and make the changes necessary. I'd even recommend putting a project off if possible for a few days so that you can focus on nourishing your mind, body, and spirit. Creativity will then begin to flow naturally.


The second major cause of these creative blocks has to do with our own self-limiting judgments or beliefs. The thought may arise . . . "Who am I to think I'm creative enough to write for that magazine, to direct the school play, or to speak to this group." This judgment can easily stop us cold and present a block in the form of procrastination. Or we may struggle with the belief that it is selfish for us to take time away from other responsibilities (family, friends, etc.) to go after our dreams. "Who do I think I am spending this hour writing or playing the piano when I should be . . .".

These conscious and subconscious thoughts easily derail us from pursuing our goals, blocking creativity, and create the perfect opportunity to procrastinate. What we forget to realize is that if we are pursuing dreams and goals that nurture our own purpose here, we'll actually bring more zest, vitality and love to those around us.

We can only lose if we submerge our true passions.
Create the space to nurture your essence and to release these self-limiting judgments. It is at this place that creativity will flow non-stop.

Slow down to release any and all creative blocks today.

Love, peace, REv. David www.davidessel.com
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"Not Enough Time in a Day?".. An Illusion

The reality behind most of our statements that we do not have enough time in the day to do all that we want to do is as far from the reality as you could possibly imagine. As a matter of fact, this statement is actually an illusion.

By making this statement, we are actually giving ourselves a way out of having to be creative ...creative with our time management. I mean after all, if we have an excuse, like "I don't have enough time", why change? Why ask for help?

A former client of mine came to me with this often used excuse as to the reason she was not happy in her life. " As a single mom working 60 hours a week, there's no way that I will ever have enough time for me...to do anything that's fun until the girls are 18 and out of the door."

You can imagine the response she gave me when I told her that what she was saying was an illusion, a handy one at that.

She had spent so much time telling people and herself that she had no time, that she actually believed her own words!

When we did a time recall sheet, and found out that she actually had several hours of free time that she wasted each nite on reality TV shows, her whole life began to change.

These hours soon became her time to play piano, something she had loved doing for years, but stopped after her divorce. just this one change proved to her that if she really wanted to prioritize her time, she could live a fabulous life, one that started today, not when her little girls we grown and gone.

Lack of time is an illusion, a game we play, and to our own detriment.

Slow down, and create the time you need now to find the joy that might be missing from your life.

Love, peace, David Essel www.talkdavid.com www.lifecoachuniverse.com