Another way to refer to distractions is as flirts, following Army Mindell’s work which brings together quantum physics and psychology.* The two components of such flirts are the intent to observe (what I’m calling choice), and the sense that an object is asking for your attention (what I experience as curiosity).  He provides ideas and exercises to develop our sensitivity to these flirts which we usually ignore. The idea that an object may have its own compelling energy which flirts with us may initially seem odd, but one that I expect many artists have experienced.

So how do we tell when to follow distractions and flirts, and when not to?

I can’t tell you.

You can notice when you’re curiosity leads you to respond to a flirt from that cast-aside scrap in your studio, the leftover paint, the pattern of light on the floor. You can notice the choices you make to be distracted or not. Notice those things you are least and most likely to be distracted from. Artists have always been curious and have willingly chosen to be distracted by inner and outer flirts. Notice when you are.
*Mindell, Arnold. Quantum Mind and Healing. 2004.
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II. Energy Management: Translations from the Psych Research Lab, the Board Room and the Shrink’s Couch  
Edward Hallowell and John Ratey. Delivered from Distraction. 2005

Straight from the mouths of M. D.’s! Who but two docs with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) to teach us about distraction?

Somewhere in the 1970’s, researchers established that children don’t necessarily outgrow attention deficit disorder (ADD), but that 60% still have the syndrome as adults. Most of this book is for those who have been diagnosed with ADD, including balanced and heartful talk about medication. Be careful not to self-diagnose since we all have our moments of distractibility and impulsiveness, perhaps creative types more so than others. That said, the authors’ ideas about life style choices are useful for anyone wrestling with unwanted distractibility.  

A five-step program is included to clear up mental static and enjoy the richness of creative gifts and unique world views. Unlike recipes that focus first on helping to get organized and building structure, this model starts with increasing connection. They advise creating a circle of connection with people who care about you, including your own style of handling distractibility. Only then, with support, do they recommend play – finding activities you love to do without any outside pressures. Sound familiar to an artist? Then practice, practice, practice that thing you love to do. Finally, they predict that practice will lead to mastery and then, organically to recognition in a natural sequence which circles back to enriching connections.

1. Connection      2. Play      3. Practice        4. Mastery        5. Recognition
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III. Friends in Print: When you feel like reading

SARK. Make Your Creative Dreams Real. 2004. SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) writes handwritten inspirational books to inspire creativity, laced with her colorful drawings. She is the champion of spontaneity, of following impulses, and choosing to respond to flirts. Going directly for the child within, she enthuses optimism which sometimes goes too far for me but also catches me unaware and wakes me up. The website is a way to visit her planet and see if her style is for you (www.planetsark.com).

Solden, Sari. Women with Attention Deficit Disorder. 1995.
 It turns out that girls and women have ADD more often than thought 15 or 20 years ago. Initially, girls were rarely identified because their levels of hyperactivity and getting into trouble are lower than those of boys; they are more likely to be described as dreamy, preoccupied, and inattentive.  Solden, a therapist who is herself ADD, writes engagingly of both the difficulties and gifts such wiring can bring.
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IV. Creative Links.
www.singingquilter.com  Singer song-writer Cathy Miller’s last three CD’s (since 2000) are just for quilters. The 2002 CD is titled “One Stitch at a Time” and there is a track on the latest one (2004) called “Stitching in the Ditch.” Studio company for fiber artists who work to music.
www.additudemag.com  The online version of ADDitude magazine is rich with resources for those struggling with atttentional problems. Again, beware of self-diagnosing, but the resources can be useful for many. Special sections for women, on coaches, and how to get coaching are included; all is presented in a magazine format designed for those with attentional problems. The magazine is also available in hardcopy as a subscription.
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V. Newsletter Info
E-mail changes. To change your e-mail address, subscribe, or unsubscribe please e-mail connect@dianereardon.com. If you use a spam filter, please add this e-mail address to your list of approved senders. This material is included on the breakTHROUGH Creativity Coaching website (www.dianereardon.com). All material is copyrighted ©, 31 March 2005, Diane Reardon. All rights reserved. Visit the website for back issues and details on scheduling a complimentary one-hour coaching session.