I’m an ATM.
An ATM is only able to give out what it has in its reserves. When it runs out of cash, it can’t distribute any more.
We are ATM’s. A simple concept which is so difficult to live. I am constantly receiving and distributing emotional and spiritual currency. I am a walking, talking, breathing currency dispenser. My ability to give is based completely on what I have received.
I learned about this concept years ago from a guy named Craig Jutila. I sat in a short class he taught, and it’s stuck with me ever since.
I was reminded of his teaching again recently. First, I had a conversation with some out-of-town friends who talked about not having friendships in their immediate area that deposited into their lives. It’s so difficult to constantly give when you don’t have a good way to receive in return.
Creation is an emotionally draining exercise.
Next I thought of ATM’s when I returned from vacation drained. Before we left for the week, I feverishly worked to create and fill 2 weeks worth of blog posts. Looking back, I can see I how empty I became from the experience.
Let’s be honest, vacationing with 4 kids ages 3-11 is fun and entertaining, but it’s not completely refreshing. I didn’t receive enough during vacation to fill my creative tank back up.
I came back with very little inspiration of what to write. It has shown in what I’ve produced over the last week. I apologize to those of you who have tried to read it. 🙂
Good news…I’m pulling out of the funk! I’m getting back on track, and let me share with you a few secrets of what has helped me.
1. Analyze
If you find yourself drained, step back and take a look at yourself. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What is it that has drained you? What do you need to get you going again?
- Do you need to re-connect with friends? Do you need to get away from other friends (who you are depositing into, and in turn draining you)?
- Do you need to find websites, books, magazines or other material to get you moving again?
- Do you need time to be alone? Do you need to spend more time with people?
- Do you need to edit your schedule? Are you working too much? Are you working inefficiently?
It might help you to write in a journal form. Simply writing this blog post has opened my eyes. It’s helping me pinpoint what and where I need to focus.
2. Be intentional.
You know my word for the year is Freedom, but I’m learning that freedom comes only by being intentional. Creativity also comes through being intentional. Re-filling my emotional tank comes by being focused.
Take a look at the above questions, and be intentional about doing what it takes to answer them.
For me, this means looking for inspiration. Here is some of what I’ve found:
- I’m reading a great book, The Social Animal
by David Brooks. The ideas are still floating around, but more will come here. - I also discovered that I haven’t read one of Malcolm Gladwell’s books, Blink
, that I’m excited to start. - I saw Cars 2 with my kids yesterday, and got a great idea from the movie. Can’t wait to share!
I’m looking, and I’m finding.
3. Relax
I find myself at times stressing and anxious. The truth is that I don’t have a good reason to be worried. Part of my anxiety comes from this void in my creativity – sitting down and having nothing to share.
I have to give myself space and time to receive. It does take time, and it doesn’t always adhere to my time frame. That’s okay, life will move on. Deep breaths…
Images courtesy of Stock.Xchng
Andy:
Enjoyed your analogy about the ATM. I think that’s one of the values of forums, organizations, and education. They refill us. It’s important to remember not to forget though that you can’t just top off the tank, it’s imperative you do the work.
You chose being intentional as a requirement for freedom. In my experience, discipline is the path to freedom. If that sounds like a paradox, it is. Let’s say you’re trying to fill the tank and you see/read/learn something that inspires.
The first part of discipline is to replicate what you see. That may mean trying to do the pose yourself — so you can show it to your future subject. You have to see the lighting pattern and recreate that. You have to notice the dof, maybe even what lens was used.
Now, shoot it. Shoot it several times, several ways, etc. Once you’ve disciplined yourself to do the work to replicate — you are free — to experiment. You are free to shrug off the shackles of what you originally saw to create your own version. Once disciplined yourself enough to make what you originally saw your own, you are free to call yourself an artist.
Discipline = Freedom. Do the work.
Mark –
Good thoughts. I think you’re right. To be free within a creative field you have to be disciplined to work at it (hence I wrote a new article each day of the week, I saw styles of blogging I liked and worked to duplicate it, etc). I think discipline, freedom and intentionality all go hand-in-hand (in-hand). You have to be very intentional about discipline, what you are disciplined in, what you are working to perfect.
Then I think you become intentional about breaking the rules. See what works, what doesn’t. What can continued to be improved.
Key phrase = Do the work.
Thanks for your thoughts.