creativity Archives - Page 3 of 3

Are Your Extra-Curriculars Serving You?

April 15, 2019 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Now, before I begin, I realize that extra-curricular usually refers to those activities outside of school hours but let’s just say that, for the purposes of this discussion, I’m talking about those things that we do, other than the necessities like grocery shopping etc., that lie outside the scope of our work. Wow – that was a long sentence! But I’m kind of the run-on queen so I’m running with it. Ha! Get it?

We can begin engaging in an activity for many reasons. We think it will be fun. We can see the skills we’d learn as being useful. We have the opportunity to contribute to our communities. We like the people we’d be working with. A friend or family member thought it would be a good idea. I’ve done it for all of these reasons and probably more.

As the months and years go by, however, we need to take to the time to evaluate whether these activities are honestly advancing our lives or our work. We start something for one reason and we can stay in it for another and, if we don’t reflect periodically, we can find ourselves more involved in these other efforts than we are with our own process of creation.

I had someone challenge me recently. She asked me about the things that I really loved. And then she asked why only one of my extra-curricular activities had anything to do with those things. Why was I still engaging in activities that, while fun and beneficial in the beginning, had perhaps run their course and weren’t serving me anymore? And why wasn’t I connecting with more people and organizations that could actually help my career?

There is certainly room for diversity in life. If you are a writer, it doesn’t mean that every single club you belong to or contribution you make has to be about writing. If nothing else, we need to have a rich experience to fuel our creative inspiration.

But there are only so many hours in the day and we only have so much energy to expend so it behooves us to use that time and energy as effectively as possible.

So, I invite you to look at your extra-curriculars and decide what’s actually working for you and what isn’t and consider that it might be time to let something go. Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself.

Do I still enjoy this activity? You might just be doing it out of habit or obligation.
Does this activity assist me in my career or life purpose? Does it further what I’m here to do?
What I am I getting out of this activity? Sometimes we can continue doing something because we receive validation or we like the people even though the activity itself doesn’t appeal anymore. Is there a better way to get the benefits? If you’re in the club because you like the people, for example, you might want to just get together for coffee once in a while rather than have a structured regular event that you have to plan and prepare for.
What would I be doing with my time if I wasn’t involved with this activity? Would you be spending more time on you craft? Is there another activity you’ve been interested in that takes place at the same time that would work better for you? If you find yourself thinking, dang, if I wasn’t doing this, I would be able to do that,that might be a clue for you.

Our time is precious. As creators, we have so much to offer. We need to ensure that the way we spend our time and energy allows us to bring the best of ourselves to the world and having our attention scattered in too many directions in not in anyone’s best interest. Make no mistake, it can be scary to say no or good-bye, particularly when we’ve been a part of something for a long time. But there a saying that people (and I’m extrapolating to things and opportunities) come into our lives for a season, a reason, or a lifetime. And if you can give yourself permission to let go of the things that no longer work, you can then fill your hours with what truly delights and inspires you. You’ll only be the better for it!

Hidden Clues : The Wisdom In Your Distraction

April 8, 2019 by tprochera Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard people say that if you have goals you want to accomplish in your life, you need to look at those goals in relation to how you’re actually spending your time and adjust accordingly. The theory is that if you say you want to be a singer, for example, but are spending most of your time watching television rather than practicing or recording, in noticing this supposed conflict you can dispense with the distraction and redirect more energy towards pursuing your goal of singing.

This is a totally valid concept – we can certainly allow ourselves to be taken off of our path out of fear, especially when we’re talking about a potentially delicate thing like creative expression – but if you’ll indulge me for a moment, may I present another possible interpretation of such distraction?

What if you are, in fact doing exactly what you want to be doing? What if what you think you want isn’t what you actually want and, rather than resisting your “distraction”, it’s more about parlaying it into something more fulfilling?

So, let’s look at the watching TV all day thing – something many of us can fall prey to for any number of reasons. Maybe we’re searching for inspiration. Maybe we’re legit tired or overwhelmed and need a break. Maybe it is a real distraction because you’re afraid that your practicing or whatever project you’re “supposed” to be engaged in isn’t going to work out somehow. Totally been there.

But what if it’s something else? When you’re in this mode, I invite you to take a conscious approach to it to see if there might be some wisdom or insight there for you. What kinds of shows are you watching? Cop dramas? Sit coms? Cooking or baking shows? Can you pinpoint what in particular you might be attracted to about those shows? Ha! I just wrote “shoes” down by accident and if I hadn’t caught it, y’all would be, “Wait. When did she start talking about shoes?” Anyway, have a look at that. Do you love all the medical procedures and terminology in your hospital dramas? Do you love the character development? Do you love the witty dialogue in your comedy?

In being aware of your thoughts during these moments of distraction, you may discover some new things about yourself. It might be providing insight into some new elements you want to bring into your life. I love watching baking shows not only because I have a sweet tooth – believe me, I would reach into the TV and pull out those cakes if I could – but there can be such artistry and beauty to these creations. A visual feast as well as a gastronomical one. So, I don’t know if I need to become a baker necessarily, but I realized I definitely want to try my hand at cake and cookie decorating. In fact, I was on a waiting list for a class a short while back. And, in general, I think there is more of a visual component I can incorporate into what I do. Maybe you want to take a stand-up comedy class if you find yourself repeated attracted to it. Maybe you want to try writing if you love the storylines and dialogues of your favourite shows. Maybe you want to look into the medical field if you love the operating room scenes.

If you’re someone who gets overly drawn into social situations that you feel are taking you away from your work – phone calls, coffee meetings, whatever – there’s likely a reason why you’re letting it happen. If you are always the one giving advice to your friends – and are happy to do so as opposed to resenting it – perhaps you’d be great as a counsellor. Do your meetings often take place over delicious meals? Being a food critic or a chef might be right up your alley.

My point is, these distractions might be giving you clues to complimentary activities or a whole new path that might be very fulfilling for you so it’s worth some contemplation and analysis, in my humble opinion. Of course, it could totally be a psychological mechanism to protect you from potential failure or frustration, too, but I’m just saying.

Have a great day!

Four Tips on Giving Constructive Feedback

March 25, 2019 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Lately, I have been tasked with editing a literary journal for a writers group. It was an honor to be asked and, truthfully, it has been rather fun. I delight in witnessing the creativity of others and it makes me feel good to help people on their artistic journeys.

Often, as we become more experienced artists, others will come to us seeking feedback, either looking up to us as mentors or viewing us as equals who might be able to offer a fresh perspective. If you haven’t already, I’m sure you will soon hear the words, “Can you have a look at it and tell me what you think?” soon enough. Now, you can always politely decline if you really feel hesitant but, even if you are a bit nervous, why not try taking on the challenge?

There is an idea that, even though someone may be at the top of their field, they may not make the greatest teacher for any number of reasons. It takes a certain something to be able to impart knowledge in a constructive way that the recipient can really learn from and not be put off by. Having been a voice teacher for ten years and having proofread many pieces of writing, I have learned a few things about offering creative advice that I thought I’d share with you. So here we go.

Tip #1: Know Where Your Mentee Is At.

We are all at different stages on our creative journey. Some of us are just starting out, some of us have been working on our craft for decades. Before you start offering criticism, take into account how long your mentee has been creating. The longer they have been doing it, the more detailed feedback you can provide, using the vernacular of the trade. With newer artists, it’s best to keep it simple and to not overwhelm them with too many things at once. When they are just beginning to explore, you don’t want to risk them becoming discouraged. When I was working with a young, beginning voice student, I would take it step by step – if they were having troubles matching pitch, I was not going to focus so much on the quality of their vibrato until the more fundamental skill was under control for the most part. First things first. Try to recall how you developed your skill set – if you in fact felt it helpful to you – connect that to where your mentee is on their trajectory and use that as a gauge to determine how deep to go.

Tip #2: Try Suggesting Rather Than Dictating

Maybe I’m too easy on people but I tend not to dictate when mentoring – unless I’m really in the zone. Then I’m all, “No. Stop. Do it again.” I kind of like me in that mode, to be honest, but you have to be aware of when it may it may not be appropriate. Anyway, I had someone involved with the literary journal mention to me that they not only appreciated my “expert” feedback but the gentle way I shared it and I honestly don’t know which part meant more to me – the fact that they saw me as an expert or the fact that I was gentle. I know these days we talk about being more assertive and assured – the recommendation particularly applying to women – and I agree we do need to own our knowledge and experience, but a little tact can go a long way. Try saying, “Perhaps you might try…” or “Let’s look at what can happen when…”. Not only does it help to ease you into the issue, it also creates awareness that creativity is, in many ways, a fluid, evolving, experimental thing. There are certain elements of your craft that may be rather definitive – like a question should be followed by a question mark – in which case you can be more direct (but still kind) in your recommendation. But there are some things that are more trial-and-error. What works for some might not work for others. Many singers are all about posture and being upright and, yet, there are amazing vocalists who hit the high notes bent over with their head against the wall. You can’t argue that it works for them so, really, the best you can doing in some cases is try it out.

I was actually faced with a conundrum of sorts when a writer who had submitted a narrative piece mentioned that he preferred to use spaces between paragraphs rather than indents. I thought that, while it isn’t the way literature is customarily presented, aren’t rules and norms meant to be questioned? After all, these existing norms came into play by replacing previous norms.

Tip #3: Don’t Forget The Why

When one is teaching or advising, it can be rather tempting to simply say, “do this” or “do that” and expect the student to obey without question. But even if they do follow your instruction and give you the result you desire, they aren’t really learning. They simply know that, in this specific case, this is what they’ve been instructed to do, even if the situation may or may not ever arise again.

But a more in-depth explanation allows your expertise to really shine while giving the mentee something tangible they can take into the future. If they have written, “The two tonne truck hit the pothole, splashing water all over the windshield” – this example really hits home for me living where I do at this time of year J – instead of simply adding a comment telling them to “hyphenate two tonne”, take the extra step and explain how compound adjectives are usually hyphenated when they come before the noun but not after. In doing so, in addition to correcting the immediate error, the writer will have new information to improve their writing on future projects.

Tip #4: Thank Them for Asking and Receiving

It can take a lot for someone to ask for help. If an artist is coming to you for advice, know that it’s because they value your input. No matter how high up you are on the creative ladder, resist the temptation to get a swelled head about it and simply express gratitude that they have seen you as worthy of providing feedback – something like “Thank you so much for asking me. I am honoured that you feel I have something to offer your project.” And if they show appreciation for your comments after the fact, which they hopefully will, realize that receiving criticism can be hard for many of us. Our projects are our babies and part of what keeps us going is somehow believing we’re awesome. You can try responding with, “Thank you for hearing my comments. I know it can be hard to receive feedback on something close to our hearts. I’m glad you have found my suggestions to be helpful.”

So those are a few tips to help you give constructive feedback. Just my suggestions, of course. 😉

Finding Your Sweet Spot: Why Fame May Not Be What You Really Want

February 19, 2019 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Hello all!

So, I was in New York City last week – my first time in the Big Apple – and I had a blast! Caught up with old friends, saw some shows, went to museums, had high tea at the Plaza. The whole nine yards. It was thrilling to witness “the best of every industry”, as my friend put it, that was represented in this mythical city. Seriously – since I’ve been back, it seems that every TV show and movie takes place in New York.

But that’s not my point. My point is, while watching these truly talented performs strut their stuff on the Broadway stage, I couldn’t help but wonder, would I want to be doing that?

You see, many of us are programmed to crave the spotlight. We are taught that those we see most often – the Beyoncés, the Bradley Coopers, even the J.K. Rowlings (as famous as a writer can get) – are the most important people in our society and their status is the only measure of significance and success. We are told that if we desire anything in this life, it should be to be the focus of attention in the biggest arena possible.

Now, I’m not saying it’s necessarily a bad thing to go for fame or to want to be the front man. Some people are sincerely meant to be in that position and they inspire the world with who they are.

There are times, however, when the thirst for fame can be misguided – not because we may not be talented enough but because, if we really think about it, it’s not what we actually want. When we’re striving for anything, it behooves us to actually look into what is involved in living that life. For example, being a prima ballerina seems like a beautiful vision – and they do look lovely and strong – but if that’s what you want to be, be prepared for really sore feet, Like bleeding and blistered more often than not.

The shows that we saw on Broadway involved an incredible amount of physical activity ; not just two people sitting in chairs chatting away. And one of them, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – completely brilliant, by the way – was constructed in two parts of three hours each. That’s literally six hours a day of running around and throwing suitcases and all sorts of crazy things! Would you be up for that? Would you be willing to move to a metropolis like New York if it meant being at the top of your field? It’s a big switch if you’re used to living in a small town. What about having to be “on” when you’re not feeling well? I remember watching a live broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera and, while the cast sounded glorious as always, there was so much sniffling and snorting backstage because most of them were sick.

There are often ways to adjust things to better suit our inclinations. For example, you can love singing but not love performing live so you could potentially consider becoming a studio musician. Or you can do community theatre as a hobby rather than going for a full-time career as an actor and all that comes with it. Even so, however, we can still look at where our real talents and inclinations lie instead of towing the party line of fame and fortune. Well, I say that but, in many cases, it’s the ones who don’t have the fame who are actually making most of the money so I’m not really sure why they put those two words together so often. But that’s another topic of discussion.

When I was in university, I went to see a counsellor on a regular basis. Hey, we all need someone to talk to at certain points in our lives. Anyway, there was a session when I when I expressed my confusion that I would be watching these people on stage and be totally captivated them but, at the same time, wasn’t sure if that was what I should, or wanted to, be doing. I knew could sing but was insecure about my voice at times, I wasn’t sure how I felt about travelling from place to place without fully experiencing it, being isolated, and I was adaptable to a certain extent but didn’t really like being up too late most of the time. I’m usually in bed at 10:00 most nights unless there’s a special event or something. So what was it that made me want to be these “rock stars”, for lack of a better word?

And then my counsellor suggested something I’d never thought of before. He suggested that perhaps I was meant to be behind the scenes but I was attracted to something else about these people, like their confidence or level of skill. It wasn’t the fact that they were performing so much as they knew they were meant to be performing and they were damn good at it. And, to someone like me who was in a state of flux, that knowing would be incredibly attractive. He made me realize that I could be that assured and skilled as a songwriter or a producer or a director or whatever and have that same sense of self-possession and satisfaction as those “rock stars” seemed to have.

Because, really, I will follow whatever path is right for me and if being in the public eye comes with it, I’ll accept that with grace and humility. But I don’t care if people are screaming my name. I don’t need to be chased down the street by mobs trying to get my autograph. I’m more interested in being respected in my industry, being the one who those in the know whisper about as I stand in line at the grocery store. “Do you know who that is? She’s the one behind <insert life-altering, world-enhancing creative experience here>.”

So, if you desire being in the spotlight and entertaining the crowds and honestly love it and all, or most, of what it entails, go for it. Reach for your marquee dreams and good luck to you. But if you’re at all feeling a sense of disconnect with your creative path, I ask you to consider what your soul is really craving, look at your true gifts and talents and what skills you’re willing to acquire, and learn to be at peace with that.

You may be a good guitar player but maybe you’d be an even better recording engineer or producer or even artist manager. You may be a decent novelist but you’d really be a brilliant journalist or editor. There are so many parts to play in this creative world, so many roles to fill, and none is more or less important or valuable than another, no matter what celebrity mags try to tell you and no matter how some of those celebrities – I won’t name names – like to give the impression that they do everything themselves .

I’ll leave you with this. We love our lives the most when we are giving the best of our authentic selves to the world, whatever that looks like. So don’t be afraid of discovering what you’re really here to do. You’ll only be happier for it!

In Swimming Tigress news, I’ve just put up some new tracks for licensing on Pond 5 . So, if you need music for your media production, whether it’s a commercial, TV show, web video or podcast, check out all available tracks here https://www.pond5.com/artist/tprochera#1 .

Have a fabulous day!

Tiffany

So Many Projects! When You’re Swamped With Creative Inspiration

January 8, 2019 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Sometimes we can get creatively blocked – our current projects have been completed we have no ideas for new projects to undertake. That’s alright. We don’t have to be “on” all the time.

But sometimes – at least I hope you’ve experienced this – there are so many ideas going through your head – so much inspiration – that you don’t know what do with it all and you can’t decide what project to actually focus on. That’s not a bad problem to have. J I’m actually in the process of releasing an ebook about how to keep those creative juices flowing – I regularly have several ideas a day and I want to help others have the same type of flow -so keep tuned for that.

Anyway, realize that you can be working on more than one project at a time. You don’t have to spend eight or ten hours a day on one book – it’s alright to spend the morning on one story and the afternoon on another. You may think you won’t make as much progress but your attention can only be sustained for so long. There comes a point when you think you’re working but what you’re putting out is, well, how shall I say it – gobbleygook. So it’s probably a good idea to split your time up a bit to keep things fresh.

Understand that all of your ideas may not come to fruition – perhaps they were never meant to – and those that do won’t necessarily happen at the same time. Some projects may have to be put on the back burner for a while. You have to trust that the projects you chose to undertake are the right projects for you for some reason or another.

Alright – enough with the preamble. Here are some tips to help you decide what to work on and when.

First of all, you can narrow down the projects that actually inspire you. Some ideas are just random passing fancy – you see a butterfly and you think you should do an art installation about butterflies. And maybe you should. Maybe it’s going to be your signature piece. You can certainly keep all ideas on tap, but some things hit you in the gut and keep coming back to you. Those are the ones to go for because they will keep you working. Keep in mind, however, that this is a creative industry so, if you do want to make a living at it, some projects may be more marketable than others. But , even if it doesn’t make you millions of dollars, you can still be learning something from the process – maybe it’s a new technique, maybe it connects you will something that can help you in the future.

Is there a deadline of some kind? Even if you’re not hired to work on a project with an expected turnaround time, there can still be better or worse times to put something out there. For example, if you are interested in composing some Christmas music with the hopes of having them licensed for holiday movies, you’re not going to start the process in November and expect to hear your handiwork on your TV screen in December. I mean, the following December maybe but these things are set in motion months ahead of time. Books discussing trending topics need to be finished rather quickly or they will no longer be relevant by the time they are published. If you’re writing a play for a specific situation, like a fringe festival, it has to be completed before the start of rehearsals, not before the start of the festival. Kind of obvious, I know, but it had to be said. 😉

While we’re on the topic of deadlines, if you are interested in obtaining grants to fund your projects – something many artists do – you have to be mindful of deadlines for applications and when you are allowed to actually begin the project. If you have an idea for a grant-worthy project, you will likely need to do preliminary preparation well ahead of time so you can submit your plan before their deadlines – depending on the funding organization, some programs are always open to submissions, others accept a couple of times a year. And, even when you are accepted – which would be awesome – you may not be allowed to begin your project for another several months, according to the agreement. So, with the long-term preplanning involved, you want to get started on it as soon as possible while having other projects to fulfill you in the meantime.

In fact, it may not be a bad idea to always having one short -term and one long-term project on the go. That way, you can scratch that itch that wants the immediate satisfaction of completing something – and might make you some money in the process – and still have that magnum opus, that masterpiece they will be talking about for generations to come. You can be submitting articles to your favourite magazines while you’ve got your epic novel on the go.

So, those are some tips if you are in the blessed situation of finding yourself overwhelmed with inspiration. Have a fabulous day and keep on creating!

Tiffany

Inspired and Enlightened – What I learned from Creativity, Inc.

June 18, 2015 by tprochera Leave a Comment

Hi guys!

So, I have just finished reading Creativity, Inc. by the president of Pixar Animation and Disney Animation, Ed Catmull. I can’t tell you how much I adored this book! Well, I guess I just did!

Anyway, on the eve of the release of the company’s latest production, Inside Out, which I can’t wait to see tomorrow, I thought I would share with you some insights I took away from it.

Now, if you have read it I’m pretty sure you’ll agree with me how fabulous it is. And if you haven’t, you may be thinking it’s about the history of Pixar. And that is certainly part of it – and that journey is fascinating in its own right – but it’s so much more than that!

Creativity, Inc. is a story about how to make an impact in the world, be financially successful and still maintain your creative integrity. It’s a story about innovation and taking your art form “to infinity and beyond!”. Okay, I had to put that in there! It’s a story about leadership – about taking a group of people who each have their own gifts to offer and drawing the best out of them so that the company prospers and the employees go to sleep at the end of the day feeling like they have been a part of something meaningful and magical.

Who wouldn’t want that, I ask you?

But how did they do it?

They created an environment where people were heard and they felt like their opinions were valued. These days, I have been taking on my first directing gig for a theatrical production and I learned a lot about how directors are encouraged to deal with input from everyone involved in a film. When you feel like you are a valued contributor to a project, you will be more inclined to give your all to it.

They allowed employees to decorate their workspaces however they wished, realizing that one’s surroundings can help or hinder inspiration and creativity.

They created a workplace that encouraged connection and collaboration among people in different departments, acknowledging the fact that being aware of how other people do their jobs can affect how you relate to them when it comes to doing your job.

And one of my favourites, they allowed for, even encouraged, mistakes with an often used phrase being “be wrong as fast as you can” so you can figure out what works and what doesn’t and try something else. There’s an understanding at Pixar that, in order to be innovative and unique, you are going to have some things that don’t turn out so well. That’s part of the deal. If you want a failproof system, you will just end up regurgitating what was successful in the past and you won’t grow or learn from it. To move forward you have to take risks!

These are just a few lessons I took from Creativity, Inc. – there is so much more in there – and I wholeheartedly encourage you to read it if you haven’t already. It’s inspiring and enlightening and you might find you become a better artist because of it.

Okay, that’s it for today! I hope you’re enjoying the download of Ladybug Crossings I posted last time. More to come!