5 Ways to Strengthen Your Creative Courage

Since the first chapter of Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert covers "Courage" ~ I've spent a fair amount of time ruminating on creative courage this past week. (Week #1 of our Big Magic Better-Than-A-Book-Club Coaching Group.)In addition to pondering whether or not fear has the power to shut us down creatively (for some it's a yes ~ for others ~ not so much) we explored ways to find a voice for our creative courage.We wrote letters to our fear which turned out to be illuminating, empowering and surprisingly fun. (I'll share mine below.)Inspired by Brené Brown's definition of courage I invite you to spend a few moments considering what small steps you might take to bolster your own creative courage using the following prompts: (*If it helps, feel free to substitute the word small with the phrase "delightfully doable!")

1. What's one small way you can ask for what you need? 
2. What's one small way you can speak your truth?
3. What's one small way you can own your own story?
4. What's one small way you can set boundaries?
5. What's one small way you can reach out for support?

As for number five, I highly recommend using Creative Oasis Dates ~ one of my all-time favorite ways to lend support to my coaching clients. You can use them with friends, family and colleagues to move past blocks and enjoy more focused, guilt-free creative time.As promised, here's my own letter to fear:Dear Fear ~ I’m not sure why on earth you’d want to keep me from helping as many people as possible to shine their creative light in a world that so desperately needs it. 

Maybe you were bullied in your youth. Maybe an incompetent teacher shut down your creativity. Maybe you had a fearful parent who didn’t know how to deal with your bright creative spirit. Whatever the case, I’m going to take the high road and forgive you. In fact, I’m going to send you on your way with a little goodie bag ~ a Creative Oasis kit ~ filled with crayons, colored pencils and some fun pages to color…a ukulele to strum…some bubbles to blow. I’m guessing it will be a lot tougher for you to try to keep me from sharing my creative message with the world if you’re busy blowing bubbles, strumming on a ukulele or coloring. In fact, the next time you try to shut me down with your snarky inner critic remarks (“Who do you think you are? Why bother? Who would want to read that or care?”) I think I’ll take a 2-minute Creative Oasis break to blow bubbles, strum my ukulele or color to send you on your not-so-merry way and remind myself that everyone deserves to experience creative joy ~ even you. Off you go ~ Jill

Here's to strengthening your creative courage so you can share your creative light with the world!Until next time, all the best from my Creative Oasis to yours,Jillp.s. ~ Did this post grab you? Then please grab your free Permission to Be Creative 101 Guide here and you'll also receive my Mid-Week Oasis Moments ~ bite-size bonbons of creative inspiration and motivation shared weekly.