Most daunting about starting any big creative project are the self doubts that always kick in. Listening to the voices in our heads is pretty sickening! Talk about broken records that play on and on.

Recently I did a survey about what stops creative people from getting their projects off the ground. I bet you can identify with some of the things they said about negative mindsets. I certainly can!

Later I’ll tell you some great techniques to use when confronted all those doubting inner voices. But first I’d like to share with you some of the things that stopped the people in my survey from getting on with their projects. Check which one(s) apply to you:

1. NOT GOOD ENOUGH: “I fear it won’t be as good as I imagine, that it won’t live up to my fantasy.” “I wonder if I am capable”
2. NO TIME!: “I feel that if I unleash my creativity, I might go crazy with all the other things I have to do!”
3. NOT ENOUGH MONEY: “I am afraid I’ll be cool and creative and starve to death if I go ahead.”
4. TOO MUCH VISIBILITY:  “I’m afraid to be out there and be really visible. I feel that something bad might happen,”
5. OTHER PEOPLE’S OPINIONS: “I’m scared other people won’t like it”

Whenever I start a project that goes beyond my current comfort levels, I still have to battle the “creativity demons”. Two things I find which don’t work well are repeating affirmations or trying to use willpower!

Personally I find repeating endless affirmations boring and a waste of time! Willpower works up to a point. Both methods are unable to effectively battle powerful unconscious beliefs systems.

Luckily today there are a huge range of techniques that can virtually short circuit negative conditioning. NLP, EFT, Z-Point for Peace, andThe Healing Codes – these are only some of a multitude of methods that have proven track records in this respect.

Don’t worry if you haven’t heard of half of these. You can easily access information on many of these techniques on the internet. For example, you can find lots of instructional videos for EFT (the Emotional Freedom Technique) on Utube.

Like with anything, it’s great to educate yourself about the options, and then use the techniques that most resonate with you. Choosing to work with an experienced coach or energy practitioner is also a great option, and money well spent. Their in-depth knowledge and expertise can help you identify and work through your blocks quicker than you can on your own.

Interested in experiencing some of these techniques? I will be hosting a one day workshop in Toronto on October 17th, where I’ll be sharing some of the methods I’ve found most effective in releasing negative beliefs. It will certainly help  you melt inner resistance to doing your creative projects, as well as teach you techniques you can use to improve all areas of your life.

Price should not be barrier as it’s pay-what- you-can. And hey, what’s one day’s time, to get you well on your way with the creative projects you’d love to accomplish? ! For more information contact me at katiecurtin@mac.com.

“Don’t be discouraged by a failure. It can be a positive experience. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid.”
- John Keats .

Is there a creative project that’s been on your mind for awhile? But you wonder if it’s worth taking time out of your busy life to even begin.

You think of all the unknowns. You don’t know if you will succeed. You wonder if you are good enough or up to the task. You wonder if you will have to sacrifice too much.

Will it will be worth the effort? And if you make the effort will anybody really care?

At the beginning of every creative journey, it is natural and almost inevitable that you pause before committing. After all, it does involve a big engagement of your time and resources.

Here are some other questions to ask to help clarify things. What will be lost if you don’t do anything about this project? Is it something you feel you “should” do, or is it something that you are being called to do at a profound level?

Is it the time now to begin? Or are there some other things you just have to get through, before you can truly engage? And if you decide to go ahead, how can you best set up things for success?

And here’s a big one to ponder. How would you feel at if at the end of your life if you still hadn’t done it?

Would you regret that you hadn’t summoned up the courage to face possible failure? Would you regret that you never got to know whether that idea could have really shone in the world? Would you regret that your life got too caught up in insignificant busyness?

The most successful creative people have been the ones who have been prepared to fail the most. They’ve been the ones prepared to sacrifice “the comfortable life,” motivated by their visions of infinite possibility.

So summon up your strength and courage. If it’s a project which you are longing to do, make a resolution to go ahead. For only by braving the challenges and fears, can you reap the treasures of a realized creative life.