Imagine that you lost all of your clothes in a domestic disaster like a fire. In some ways you’d probably be very upset at losing some of the garments that you love, make you feel good about yourself, and trigger off happy memories.

Looking at it from another perspective, there were probably lots of garments you hadn’t worn in months or years, just taking up space and gathering dust. Maybe a freak accident like a fire was the only way you were ever going to part with them.

So, the insurance cheque comes in, and it’s time to start to restock your wardrobe. Where do you start? Two pairs of jeans from your favourite store? Basic t-shirts in five different colours? Underwear? New heels? New training shoes? A little black dress? New pyjamas?!

No doubt, given the money and time, you’d soon create a new wardrobe of garments. Though you’d miss some of the clothes you’d lost, in many ways this could be seen as a new beginning, a chance to start from the essentials upwards, and a great opportunity to move on from the physical and psychological baggage of all those clothes you hardly ever wore.

Ok, so what does this have to do with your creativity?

Well, in the way our personal wardrobes are made up of a variety of different garments, our creative lives are made up of various different elements.

These can be physical, the tools of your trade, such as pens, paper, computer, paints, easel, camera, dance shoes, and so on.

Then there are the less tangible elements: Your sense of experimentation. Your dedication and passion. The natural talent you have. Your ability to adapt and be flexible. Your constant pursuit of the truth in your work.

And of course, there are those elements that are not so desirable: The way you often find something “more important” to do than sitting down to create. The negative self talk that rattles away in your head. The fear of failure. The fear of achieving all you want to achieve.

Let’s return to the “wardrobe in a fire” analogy.

If these various elements in your creative life we just mentioned were garments in your wardrobe, which would you be relieved to lose in a fire?

Make a list of them, all the things in your creative life that you don’t use, don’t need, don’t suit you, or hold you back.

Then, look at all the valuable elements. Like before when we talked the insurance cheque coming in and starting to rebuild your clothing wardrobe, now in your creative life, what are the most important core items you’d want to put back in place as soon as you could?

Again, write a list, in order of importance if possible.

Now look at your two lists. How can you begin to lessen or eliminate those items that don’t add any value to your creative life? Which can you reduce? Which can you let go of? Which can you discard completely?

In your valuable elements list, which things are the most important, those you value most highly? Are there any that you overlook, or take for granted? How can you make the best use of these valuable elements, and bring your strengths to the fore?

Sometimes we’re so caught up in the routine of life, we overlook the actual individual parts our creativity is made up of. We undervalue those unique powerful elements that allow us to be the creative individual we are, and underestimate the draining impact those negative elements can have over time.

So take a look at your creative wardrobe today and think about the steps you can take to reorganise it in ways that will better support and enhance YOUR creative life.

Dan Goodwin
http://www.CoachCreative.com