I just finished reading some great information on the cycle of creativity by Mary Jaksch on her blog, Write to Done. Click here to read it. She’s shortened Paul Plsek’s process on Directed Creativity and presented some highlights I hadn’t remembered.
I’d like to add something to her discussion…
First, you probably want to read her article, so use the link above to pop over there and then pop back.
I’ve included her image below so when you continue reading my comments you don’t have to go back and forth between her page and this page.
When you understand there are 3 stages of creativity as pertaining to energy, you also learn what to expect, have a different outlook on what’s taking place, and can also get through the stages much easier. Many times when you would not have before.
The first stage in Plsek’s diagram is preparation. The next imagination. Third, development, and fourth action. When it comes to energy there are only three stages.
The first stage, is between preparation and imagination. This stage has the highest energy. This is where you can’t wait to begin. You’re whistling Dixie, per se. You jump in, and run with everything. There’s nothing going to get in your way attitude. You can see the vision. You’re body feels it too.
The second stage, the energy begins to fizzle. It can feel like a roller coaster ride. Sometimes the energy is up, sometimes down. Here’s where the doubt creeps in. “Are you on the right path?” “Is all this work going to be worth it?” When you’re up the voice isn’t too loud. Oh boy, when you’re down, it sounds like an echo chamber. You go searching for that original energy you had. Where did it go? What bed is it hiding under. You try to bring it back in with your tricks…music, walks, etc. Anything. For a writer this is when you’re writing and editing.
The third stage, the energy is a little brighter. You are starting to see your time and energy pay off. However, now there’s no energy left. You have to push yourself to do the work. You pray just for a little inspired energy. But you see the end of the tunnel. Things are looking brighter because you can see the light now. It isn’t as dark as in the second stage. Here’s where you pick up some steam and just want it to be over.
Why am I sharing this with you? Because once you understand that it’s normal to have these three types of energy levels, and understand where you are at the time, you have a better chance of completing whatever you are working on.
When I learned this, some 20 years ago, it was like a bright light came on and has helped me complete many things I normally wouldn’t have every since.
Actually, this doesn’t matter whether this is about writing. It works whether you’re a artist of any kind. Even with hobbies. Even if you're pregnant--first few months you're buying this and that. Second stage your energy is sagging. By the third stage you just want it over with [chuckle]. Maybe you want to play more tennis this summer, so you go out and buy a new racket and tennis balls, you call a few partners, or sign up for a class. It’s the same thing. Stage one.
This energy even applies when going after any goal. Including losing weight. You’re gun ho at the beginning of the year (stage one of the energy) and then you fizzle out (stage two). This is a natural process. That is, until you reprogram it. (Hint, this is the first step of the reprogramming!)
Yes, you’re right. Stage two is when most people quit. Why? Because they are expecting to have the same high energy level as stage one. Successful people know how to go through the stages and have crafted a system for themselves to work through each stage. Many have reprogrammed themselves so they have the same energy through every stage. Not high, not low, just right.
Okay, now you know. Prove it to yourself. Think back to a time in your life where you started something, was gung ho, and you see the rest of the stages occurring. You can see when you dropped things. The second part of reprogramming is to see how it did occur in your past – that’s your proof your subconscious needs to continue the change.
Aha! Right! Wonderful. Glad I could help. Go forth and prosper better with this understanding. You deserve it.
Oops, realized I wasn’t quite finished.
Oh yes, to reprogram completely, you have to change your behavior throughout the three stages repeatedly for at least 21 days. Maybe longer. However, the results are amazing. Guaranteed!
The third stage.
Comments