September 2004 Contents

I. Goal Setting from the Right Brain
II. Energy Management: Translations from the Psych Research Lab, the Board Room, and the Shrink’s Couch
III. Friends in Print: When you feel like reading
IV. Creative Links
V. Newsletter and Info: Share this newsletter, subscribe, or unsubscribe
 
I. Goal Setting from the Right Brain
There is a paradox in setting creative goals. While a goal gives the guidance of a clear destination, creativity demands a certain degree of staying open to surprises that take you in different, often more interesting, directions. Keeping that paradox in mind, it still may be useful to set creative goals as clearly as possible.

There are many resources to set goals in logical left-brain ways, using language, analysis, and sequential planning to help get you where you want to go.* If you are a visual artist who also sees things in overall compositions you can use goal-setting approaches that are more holographic and do not tie you down with linear logic.

The general idea is to create an image of where you want to end up, a clear inner visual movie in the theater of your mind of what a piece, or life, will be like when you achieve your desired destination. If you are already a film-maker, this may not be foreign to you. But if you’re a weaver or watercolorist, it may be a new idea to use visual skills to set your goals. Here are three ways to clarify your goals visually:

1. Create an image. Take time to relax first and flesh out the context, sights, sounds, lighting, and atmosphere of where you want to end up. Make a sketch, collage, painting, or other record of your image.

2. Frame a metaphor. Use your imagination to translate your goals into metaphoric terms. Formula is: I will _________(goal) like a __________(noun phrase). For example, “I will organize my studio like a nest with cubbyholes.” Write or print this statement, also adding any images that go along with it.

3. Select a role model. Use your visual, auditory, and multi-sensory imagination. Find a real or fictitious person who can do well what you are aiming to do. For example, “I will make shapes as decisively as Matisse.” You can use the archetypes of astrological signs or gods and goddesses as discussed in Friends in Print below. You may also add here any gesture or posture that is characteristic of your role model to get them into your muscle memory.
*See January 04 Newsletter (www.dianereardon.com/nlarch1-04.htm) and the first website under Creative Links below.
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II. Energy Management: Translations from the Psych Research Lab, the Board Room and the Shrink’s Couch
Using visual imagery to make changes is common in psychotherapy. Styles vary: guided imagery for weight loss, hypnosis to create your own images, images made during art therapy, and the study of images in dreams.

The added step of bringing your goal images to life so you can see them is a way to improve the flow of energy from your psyche. (Jung called this active imagination). From the goal-setting point of view, there is also the concrete benefit of using visible records of your images to anchor and commit to your goals.

Anchoring is tying your goal to some produced image, written down phrase, or gesture of someone you admire. The physical act anchors the goal in muscle memory; re-viewing the image or repeating the gesture reactivates that goal.

Each of these acts also takes the goal image out of your private inner world to the public one; going public with goals is a time-honored way of building commitment. Post your drawing, pin up your phrases, practice your gestures, tell someone else your goal, publish it in the local paper or your guild newsletter. All moves toward making goals more public increase commitment.
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III. Friends in Print: When you feel like reading
Click on amazon link for book details and to support breakTHROUGHArts.
Nemeth, Maria. The Energy of Money. 2000            www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345434978/breakthroug00-20   This book on money includes a unique combination of approaches to goal setting. Nemeth provides guidance in the mechanics of pinning down your goal in both logical steps (SMART) and directions for making a “treasure map” collage of your goals. Of course, the book is also useful in case there are visual artists who wish to improve their money situations.

Bolen, Jean Shinoda. Goddesses in Everywoman: Powerful Archetypes in Women’s Lives. 1985.  www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/006091291X/breakthroug00-20 The difficulty of finding good role models for our lives can be helped  by Shinoda’s classic introduction to classic Greek and Roman “mythology”. Her well-written cosmology provides both men and women models of different styles.

Bolen, Jean Shinoda. Gods in Everyman Reissue: Archetypes that Shape Men’s Lives. 1990.  www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060972807/breakthroug00-20 Similar cast of characters as the above but drawing on the male archetypes. Useful for women as well. Aren’t there times anyone could use a little Zeus energy?
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IV. Creative Links.
www.uncommon-knowledge.co.uk>Enter>Goal Setting A very comprehensive outline of traditional goal-setting, walking you through specific steps in a half-hour series of exercises.
www.energyofmoney.com  Access to Nemeth’s book and companion tapes as well as various seminars.
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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 August 2004, Diane Reardon. All rights reserved. Visit the website for back issues and details on scheduling a complimentary one-hour coaching session