I spent a good part of this last week worrying about the family of foxes that live on our hillside. We’ve enjoyed watching the three baby kits romp and tumble on our front porch for the better part of a month. They’re so irresistible that I posted a 15-second video of them on the Art Biz Blog. Then, suddenly, for two nights in a row, we heard earth-shattering screeches just after 11 p.m. We haven’t seen any of the kits since then. We fear one or more were caught by coyotes. I am sorry to share such a sad story with you to start your week, but it’s on my mind. I made my book deadline (two days early), but the laws of nature haunt me. I know the natural order must be kept intact, but does it have to happen right outside my window? Eric Maisel’s incantations from his book, “Ten Zen Seconds,” have really come in handy this week. (See teleseminar below.) Now, I just need to add a starting ritual that acknowledges and pays homage to Mother Nature. To a peaceful summer,

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Avoid Art Career Overwhelm with Ten Zen Seconds

Free Teleseminar on Wednesday, June 6

Creativity coach extraordinaire, Eric Maisel, will be my guest for this unique teleseminar. I’m always telling you to act. Eric will reveal the importance of stopping, breathing, and being present. To read more and register, just go to:
http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/maisel.html
 

Promote Your Art With Confidence

Online class begins Wednesday, June 13

It’s all happening on a class blog just for participants. This special summer edition of my popular class will be slowed down so you can do the work at a more leisurely pace (your very own pace) and enjoy the long days. Nail everything from your 10-second introduction to networking skills to your marketing materials.
http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/promote.html
 

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FEATURE ARTICLE

Craft a Starting Ritual

Eric Maisel, my guest for Wednesday’s teleseminar, is today’s guest author. This article was first published in the Art of the Song Creativity Corner at http://www.creativity-portal.com .

By Eric Maisel

One of the best ways to help yourself create every day is to craft a starting ritual that you begin to use regularly and routinely. When your ritual becomes habitual you will find yourself moving effortlessly from not creating to creating.

How about a ritual tea ceremony? Make a cup of your favorite tea. In the minute or two it takes for the water to boil, take a few deep breaths, clear your mind, and ready yourself to work. Take your cup to your work space and as the tea steeps prepare your materials. When your tea is as dark as you like it, put the tea bag on a small saucer and turn to your work. Work until your tea is cool enough to drink. What may happen is that you lose yourself in the trance of working and discover that your tea is cold by the time you turn to it. Excellent! Part of your work ritual can be re-heating your tea in the microwave as your first small break between creative stints.

Here are seven other starting rituals:

1. Do something physical like yoga, tai chi, or stretching. After five minutes of exercise move directly to your creative work.

2. Meditate for five minutes. Once you’ve calmed your mind, mentally bring forth your creative project and hold it gently until you feel ready to proceed with it.

3. Start each work session with a war cry. Stand up, beat your chest, and shout “Ready! Set! Go!” Stride fiercely to your work space.

4. On a sheet of paper, write down one goal for your upcoming work period. The goal might be “finish my current painting,” “go deep,” or “have some real fun exploring.”

5. Give your creative project a name. Ceremonially repeat that name like a mantra or incantation for a few minutes as you ready yourself to create.

6. Choose a small object like a pebble or coin to serve as your talisman and lovingly squeeze it several times before beginning to work.

7. Set a clock radio to go off as your signal to start. Pick a station whose music energizes you or soothes you. When the music comes on, enjoy it for a few minutes and then move decisively to your work area.

Craft your own starting ritual or try out one of these suggestions. If the ritual you choose doesn’t take hold, craft or choose another one until you find the perfect starting ritual for you.

© Eric Maisel, 2007. Reprinted with permission and are excerpted from his books: "Creativity For Life"; "A Writer's Paris"; "A Writer's San Francisco"; and more. For a complete list of publications, podcasts and workshop opportunities please visit http://www.ericmaisel.com .