Hi!

I am excited to report that we held the first of two “kick-off” calls for my upcoming Artist’s Way Virtual Summer Camp.  This is a teleclass that I am co-leading with Marcy Nelson Garrison, of CoachingToys.com. We had lots of folks on the call, and enthusiasm was generated about the full, 12-week class that starts on June 2nd, so that’s great.

The reason I am writing this post, however, is to tell you about “The Rules of the Road,” which appear in Week 2 of the classic, “The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity,” by Julia Cameron.  These “rules” state clear and powerful guidelines which, when followed, are guaranteed to bring about just what she suggests, “higher creativity.” Read them below, and notice how they make you feel…

In order to be an artist, I must:

1. Show up at the page.  Use the page to rest, to dream, to try.

2. Fill the well by caring for my artist.

3. Set small and gentle goals and meet them.

4. Pray for guidance, courage, and humility.

5. Remember that it is far harder and more painful to be a blocked artist than it is to do the work.

6. Be alert, for the presence of the Great Creator (or whatever you call it)* leading and helping my artist.

7. Choose companions who encourage me to do the work, not just talk about doing the work or why I am not doing the work.

8. Remember that the Great Creator (or whatever you call it)* loves creativity.

9. Remember that it is my job to do the work, not judge the work.

10. Place this sign in my workplace:  Great Creator (or whatever you call it)*, I will take care of the quantity.  You take care of the quality.

What do you think?  Pretty powerful, huh?  I think so!  I am also aware that, should you not yet be able to believe that you are creative, they can be easily translated into Rules of the Road for authenticity instead.  Try reading these “translations” and see what you think…

In order to be more authentic, I must:

1. Show up at the page.  Use the page to rest, to dream, to try.

2. Fill the well by caring for my authentic self.

3. Set small and gentle goals and meet them.

4. Pray for guidance, courage, and humility.

5. Remember that it is far harder and more painful to be inauthentic than it is to be true to who I really am.

6. Be alert, for the Great Creator (or whatever you call it)* leading and helping me to be me.

7. Choose companions who encourage me to be myself , not just talk about being myself or why I am not being myself.

8. Remember that the Great Creator (or whatever you call it)* loves me.

9.  Remember that it is my job to BE me, not JUDGE me.

10. Place this sign where I can see it often:  Great Creator (or whatever you call it)*, I will take care of being myself.  You take care of how I do that.

Now, I know that these could be even further modified, for clarity and for use as “authenticity tools,” but I’ll bet you can see how well they do “translate.”  On the call, it was also pointed out that they would “translate” beautifully as tools for increasing personal leadership.  And now that I think about it, my guess is that they would work for just about any goal!  I hope you try working with them and let me know!

I also hope that, if you weren’t on the call today, you’ll consider being on the next one (Thursday afternoon, the 21st at 4:00 Eastern), and even the full class, which starts at that same time, on June 2nd.  You can learn more about both of these by clicking here.

Regardless of whether or not you join us, I hope that you will do what it takes to both allow yourself to be creative, be leader in your own life, and, above all, to BE YOU OUT LOUD!

*This parenthetical comment is mine, not Julia Cameron’s, although I will say that the book suggests this sentiment, also.

Laura Biering has an infectious zeal for coaching people who want to do enlivening work and live inspired lives. She's fired up about the power of taking risks - great and small - and the rewards that come as a result. She's also passionate about (1) creativity and authenticity and their potential to change the world, (2) frolicking with her adorable four-legged children, and (3) retreating with those she loves at her farm in Southeast Georgia, Brinson's Race. Visit her website at True Voices.
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