I’m walking through a time of low productivity. I’m resisting doing some writing work that I need to finish. So, I’ve been looking at my feelings around this issue. Looking at my powerlessness and asking for help from the Lord to write. I finished two pieces of work today, which was progress. I’m realizing that sometimes even when I’m on an off day, like today, that I can’t force the creative process. Sometimes I just need to give myself the extra time to percolate. I’m also learning that I don’t know everything that there is to know, about why I have an off day or an on day. I know quite a bit about my process, but not everything. It’s a good place to be. I don’t want play god with myself or anyone else. It’s important to keep learning to wait, watch and work. But I will admit that I don’t find it an easy process, not by a long shot. So, that’s my comment for today. There will be more later I’m sure.

Tags: From Empty To Full by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - 13 - 01/05/07

Personality Change: Just For Fun

1) Choose your favorite character: someone from history, a relative, a friend, a mentor or someone that you’ve always wanted to learn more about.

2) Choose both positive and negative qualities of that person and create a new persona for yourself.

3) Make sure to give your persona a name, a costume, a job or mission, etc.

4) Now write a journal entry or two, as if you were your new persona. You can write a descriptive paragraph, a dialogue, a list, a poem, etc. (Remember to stay in your persona, except when you are dialoguing with another person.)

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - 12- 1/04/07

Party of Three?

1) Plan a costume party. (small or large or long or short in duration)

2) Choose a theme for your party.

3) Create your costume or have someone created for you. (Simple or elaborate, it doesn’t matter but you need to wear some type of costume!)

4) Create at least one group activity that you can do. Follow-through on it.

5) Create at least one individual activity that you can do. Follow-through on it.

6) Celebrate, relax, have fun and enjoy the company of others.

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - 11 - 01/03/07

Sand and Pebbles

1) Fill a box with sand or smooth pebbles.

2) Hide two familiar objects in the box. (Make sure that they aren’t sharp objects.)

3) Run your hands through the box first with your eyes open.

4) Run your hands through the box second with your eyes closed.

5) Notice changes in your perception, if any.

6) Repeat the exercise, as needed.

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - 10 - 1/02/07

Time To Read

1) Find a book that you like, want, need to or never have read.

PURPOSE:
Why should you read?:

FUN: It’s fun to read (Have you seen how excited kids get when their parents read to them?)

LEARNING: It’s good to learn something new. It doesn’t matter what the topic, genre, or format.

READING TO SOMEONE ELSE: Did you like having someone read to you when you were young? Do you like reading to someone? Reading to a group? Try it some time.

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - 9 - 12/29/06

Building A Piece With Playing Cards

1) Find or purchase a deck of cards.

2) Find a smooth surface, such as a table, to build something from the cards.

3) If the cards keep sliding, then put a few pieces of paper towels under the cards. The rough surface with provide some traction for the cards. The cards should slide less.

4) Build a card house according to your vision. Don’t doubt your skill. Just build whatever you want. It’s okay to build more than one story, if you want.

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - 8 - 12/28/06

Time to Pray

1) Write a sentence prayer about for three of your most pressing creative needs.

2) Create a symbol to represent that each of those needs.

3) Write the date and location of where you wrote the prayers and symbols.

4) Write a date two weeks from today in the same area.

5) Put the requests away for two weeks. (NO CHEATING!)

6) Pray about those requests over the next two weeks.

7) Return to the entry where you made those requests when the two weeks are up.

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - 7 12/27/06

Writing Exercise

1) Freewrite a list of five words.

2) Set your timer for 5 minutes.

3) Write a short paragraph using each of the five words. (Don’t leave any of the words out)

4) Reflect on what you wrote.

5) Choose one word or phrase that speaks strongly to you.

6) Make a note of that phrase to use in future writing activities.

7) Share this information with one trusted resource person.

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - 6 - 12/26/06

Music Time

1) Choose one or two pieces of your favorite music.

2) Find some paper and a pencil. (You may also use your journal.)

3) Play your music.

4) Close your eyes. (Keep your eyes closed. No cheating!)

5) Put your pencil to paper and draw according to the music.

6) Stop when the music is over.

7) Open your eyes and look at your drawing.

Write a one-phrase description of your drawing on the back of it or in a corner.

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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Creativity Punch (Not A Drink!) - Part 5

Clay Time

1) Find some polymer clay or something very similar (e.g. children’s play clay)

2) Knead the clay. (e.g. work the clay with your fingers until it becomes soft and supple)

3) Stop for a minute.

4) Create a piece that symbolizes this holiday season for you.

5) Stop when you feel finished. (Please finish the piece within three hours or so. No perfectionism is allowed!)

6) Tell one trusted person about your experience.

Purpose: Use all of your skills and sense to express your creativity.

Tags: Articles - Creativity Coaching by Lael Johnson
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