Imagine: Cultivating a Creative Life on Purpose with Steven T. Dahlberg, Director, International Centre for Creativity and Imagination

I am so excited to welcome Steven T. Dahlberg, Director, International Centre for Creativity and Imagination, to the second annual Creativity and Wellness Summit. He’ll help us understand how EVERYONE (yes, even YOU), has the capacity to be creative and create a life on purpose. Learn more about what Steven will share below. Sign up for FREE at: http://ow.ly/w0C90.

“Every human being is an artist.” – German Artist Joseph Beuys … We are all creative beings – continually challenged to tap into those fundamental passions that are part of ourselves, while leaving behind the judgments and blocks that keep us from living our purpose. Discover how to think in new ways, generate new ideas, and make new connections. Be inspired to imagine, connect and act … to create new possibilities for your life and work. In this presentation, you’ll:

• Understand that everyone has the capacity to be creative — and that we can intentionally foster this capacity.
• Learn how creativity drives purpose and meaning — and vice verse.
• Discover how to connect your personal creativity to engaging in purposeful life and work.
• Explore the implications of creativity and purpose for aging and later life — and why we don’t have to wait until then to cultivate a creative life on purpose.

About Steven: Steven T. Dahlberg heads the International Centre for Creativity and Imagination, which is dedicated to applying creativity to improve the well-being of individuals, organizations and communities. He co-hosts the “Creativity in Play” radio show and authored the foreword to the book Education is Everybody’s Business by Berenice Bleedorn. He serves on the board of the National Creativity Network, has taught creativity courses at several universities, and collaborated with many different organizations. 

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One of the Top Ways to Get Unstuck

Do you feel overwhelmed, STUCK, burned out, caught up in F-E-A-R?

How many times do you hear people talking about being stuck? Stuck in:

• Financial situations
• Jobs
• Relationships
• Thoughts
• Fear

Stuckness seems to be an epidemic.

Being stuck keeps us in the same place. Keeps us from moving to the next level. From living the life of our dreams. No matter how much we may say we want it to change, we get comfortable with the discomfort of our lives.

Not only do our circumstances seem grim when we’re stuck, but it also takes a huge toll on our emotional and physical health. Our bodies may feel tired, run down, tense, and achy, while our emotions may run from fear, to irritability, to worry. And this might lead to destructive behaviors, like over-eating or over-working, and negative thoughts like “I don’t deserve to be happy.”

And you know what? It really sucks! AND…we’ve ALL been there!

The thing is we think that being stuck is the problem. It’s not. Getting unstuck is where the problem lies.

There is a way OUT of stuckness and INTO the peace of mind, joy, and happiness you’ve been longing for.

Imagine your life and being able to:

• Dissolve the stuckness that has a hold on you
• Break through barriers and unlock the door to possibilities and prosperity
• Move from negative patterns to positive ones that will propel you forward
• Find solutions to everyday problems easily and effortlessly

So what’s the key to getting unstuck? Simply…it’s looking at things in a different way. And the absolute best way to do that is through the use of creativity.

Now I know what you may be thinking…”I’m not a creative person.”

But let me challenge that for a minute. Creativity is nothing more than being able to make something that is new and useful. I like to think of creativity as a way to solve everyday problems. And we all do that, don’t we?

I think what trips most people up is the idea that creativity is only about artistry. Writers, musicians, painters, poets, dancers…are all creative. Their creativity is seen in the outcome – the novel, the song, the painting, the poem, the dance. But creativity is also about the process – being in the moment with inspiration and allowing whatever comes to happen.  And this is why I can confidently say that you are a creative person even if you have never believed that.  Let me show you what I mean.

See if any of these seem familiar:

• On your way to work you see a detour sign that prevents you from taking your usual route to the office
• Your child comes home and says they have a project due tomorrow that they haven’t even started yet
• A bill comes in the mail that needs to be paid a week before your next paycheck is deposited
• A marketing idea you poured lots of time, energy, and money into in your business doesn’t yield the results you expected

If you’ve experienced any of these situations (or others that involve being faced with the unexpected), you’ve had plenty of opportunity to be creative. We all have experienced the process of being creative, which involves identifying a need (or a problem) and fulfilling that need (or solving the problem).

So how are you creative in solving everyday problems?

If you’re looking for creative tips for getting unstuck, I invite you to join me as I interview experts who share their most powerful and creative healing tools in the Creativity and Wellness Summit. Get more details and register at www.CreativityAndWellnessSummit.com.

Top 8 Reasons Why You Should Never Follow Your Dreams

What did you dream of when you were a child? I dreamt of being an astronaut, a veterinarian, and a superstar. Then I got some life experience under my belt and realized floating in space might make me nauseous, I’m squeamish about the insides of all living creatures, and the lack of privacy involved with being the next Madonna was a bit much for this introvert to handle (although that dream still lingers a little).

As I got older, my dreams changed based on what I was good at and what I felt really called to do. In my early 20’s, I remember chatting with a girlfriend and told her I wanted to combine all my passions into my work. At that time, my passions were helping people, graphic design, and songwriting. Guess what? Those are still my passions today and I’ve combined all of them into my business.

The road hasn’t always been easy though. Along my travels I’ve met a lot of people who get in their own way. I recognize them because I see myself in them. I’ve been there. And I’ve also been here, on the other side, continuously creating a life and business that I love. Do I still get in my own way…um, hells yeah! But I’ve learned to recognize it faster and get the heck outta there.

So what is YOUR dream? And why would you NOT want to pursue it? Here are some possible reasons:

 1. Getting what you want is scary.

Ever heard the saying “be careful what you wish for?” Sure people love to talk about all the wonderful things that happened once they reached a goal or dream. But they rarely mention all the crap that accompanies it. When going after something you want, fear is inevitable. It’s one of those dirty little secrets we don’t like to talk about. But we must. Because it’s true. We all experience it. And when you come face to face with your fear, it’s good to know that it’s normal.

 2. There’s effort involved.

If going after what we want were easy, we’d all be doing it, right? The universe will test your resolve. And typically, the dreams we are called to do…the ones deep in our hearts and souls…are not on the easy path. They require hard work and dedication. So if you’re not ready to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty, best stay right where you are and keep dreamin’.

 3. It takes time.

There’s a lovely phrase I must remind myself: “it takes 10 years to become an overnight success.” Our society has conditioned us (or tried to anyway) for instant gratification. If we can’t get it now, we don’t want it. But there’s something to be said for the satisfaction of waiting. The anticipation. The knowing you earned it. We appreciate things we have to work for and that aren’t instantly handed to us. Plus, we may think we’re ready for the big dream RIGHT NOW, but we might not be. Everything comes when the timing is right. Patience, my lil’ dreamer…patience.

 4. Your success may ruffle other people’s feathers.

We are often so consumed with our own fear about changing that we forget our changes can have a ripple effect in people around us. If you go after your dreams, it can be a painful reminder to those around you that they haven’t lived out theirs. And that pain can turn against you, literally, in the form of jealously, sabotage, or just plain hatin’. We intuitively know this because we’ve seen evidence of it at one time or another. And if your fear of rocking someone else’s boat is bigger than your fear of staying where you are, guess what?

 5. You might outshine someone you really respect and admire.

Everyone’s got a dream. But not everyone gets to live theirs out. Some people sacrifice so that others can live their dreams. And some of those people may be people you really care about, like your parents. Parents are hard-wired to want better for their children than they had. But some parents have difficulty hiding all their regrets as you rise up. It may be difficult to accept that someone else gave up their dreams so you could live yours, but remember we all have choices. By living your dreams, you just may inspire someone else to live theirs.

 6. It’s lonely at the top.

As you move toward what you really want, you’ll find less and less people on that path. You may at some point look around to find yourself spending less and less time with people you were very close to. But guess what? Keep looking, cause you’ll also find people, like you, who are taking the road less traveled. These are your kindred spirits…the ones who understand what it takes to live out their dreams. You may not have as many close connections but the ones you do have will be with people who get it.

 7. You might be happy.

This one may sound a little strange, but hear me out. If 99 things go right in your day, and only 1 thing goes wrong, which one will you focus on? That ONE thing, right? We are so used to focusing on the negative of how we feel and what’s going on, that feelings of true happiness can be uncomfortable. We seem to be more comfortable with criticism and negativity. What’s wrong with THAT picture?

8. Life will be boring.

This is a paradoxical notion…that once you reach your dream you’ll not have anything else to do in your life and life will be boring. Hmmm…let’s examine that one. When have you ever taken steps to reach a goal and had things NOT change up along the way? While you live out your dreams, you better believe that you will change and grow during that process, and that means your dreams will change and grow too. You might have different ideas of how to fulfill your dreams or new dreams might pop up along the way. Life isn’t boring when you are doing what you love.

If you’re still struggling with the idea of following your dreams, I invite you to listen in on the Get Our of Your Own Damn Way Interview series where I highlight people who have been there, done that, gotten out of their own damn way, and boldly embraced their dream and greatness. It might just give you the inspiration you need to go for it. Join us at www.krylyn.com/GetOutOfYourWayInterviews.

Are You Getting in Your Own Damn Way?

What’s stopping you from being the BRILLIANT, outrageously fabulous, heart-centered, service-minded, talented, creative, spirited, kick-ass person that you already are?

Want to take a guess?

It’s YOU!

You’re hiding. You’re scared. You don’t know what to do. You’re so focused on the HOW, you forgot about the WHAT and the WHY. You’re overwhelmed. And you are definitely…

Getting in your own damn way.

So stop it…Seriously…

STOP IT!

Stop accepting mediocre, good enough, and the status quo.

You KNOW:

• you’re better than that.
• you have so much more to offer.
• you are powerful.
• you are destined for greatness.
• you are getting in your own damn way.

I get it. I’ve been where you are right now. I’ve made the excuses and played the mind games with myself…

• I’m too busy being a single mom to focus on what I want.
• I don’t have the time or energy to take care of myself or my business.
• People don’t understand how hard it is to juggle everything.
• I do such good work that I can half-ass it (and no one will notice).
• Being successful is too hard.
• Being seen…and vulnerable…is scary as @#$%!!!

And you know what?

All of that is true…to a point.

But you can allow it to be true to the point of STOPPING you…Or allow it to be true to the point of PROPELLING you forward.

It’s your choice. Make no mistake…it is a choice.

I know firsthand that focusing on the excuses and mind games is the absolute best way to…

• spin your wheels
• not get what you want, and
• feel all shades of resentment, anger, fear, and frustration.

And I know that YOU know that too.

Making excuses is EASY. It’s automatic, doesn’t require any effort, and plays right into the insecurities we already have. But if you’re anything like me, you’re not looking for the easy way out.

You’re looking to fulfill your soul’s purpose, your life’s work, your passion.

You have a calling to BE WHO YOU ARE in life AND in business. And settling for anything less makes your heart and soul ache.

I want you to stop aching and be who you truly are. So the question is…are you ready?

Ready to…

• step into your greatness?
• come out from behind the curtain?
• embrace your magnificence?
• get out of your own damn way?

If that little voice inside you telling you it’s time can no longer be silenced…

I invite you to join me for the:

Powerful interviews with powerful people who have:

• Overcome challenges
• Tamed their fears
• Stopped playing so small
• Learned to embrace their greatness
• Gotten out of their own damn way!

Get ready to be inspired!

The only thing you need to do RIGHT NOW is sign-up to get all the details to listen in via phone, web, or Skype at www.krylyn.com/GetOutOfYourWayInterviews.

Q&A: How Can I Be More Creative?

In today’s Q&A video blog, I’ll be answering a question I get asked a lot about creativity:

How can I be more creative?

Before I can even begin to answer that, I need to know what you mean by that. Watch and listen as I describe the different types of creativity and give some quick tips for you to start expanding your creativity.

Want to know more about how you can bust through fear, break through the barriers keeping you stuck, get more creative, and GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY?

Ask your question and you just might see it in an upcoming video blog. Simply send your question to krylyn@krylyn.com.

When’s the last time you said YES?

There’s a word we’re so used to hearing that we can anticipate it before it even arrives. This word can have a deep impact on how we feel about ourselves, what we think about ourselves, and how we live our lives.

Know what it is yet? Let me give you a hint…

Think about the last time you asked for something, whether a raise at work, or a significant other to do something for you, or for a favor. There’s really only two responses to asking someone to do something – yes or no. When you ask for something, what answer are you hoping for? And which answer can make your heart and hopes sink a little?

You guessed it…that dreaded word that can have a HUGE impact is…NO.

We can get so used to hearing it that it prevents us from asking. But let me spin this one around a little.

When’s the last time you said NO to yourself? Do you ever put your dreams on hold, or change plans, or stop yourself from doing something? Every time you put something off, or put someone else before you when you don’t really need to, you’re saying no to yourself. OUCH!

Sure there are times when others do come first. But overall in your life, are you really making yourself a priority? Or does everything and everyone else come first?

This habit of saying yes to everyone else is really one of saying no to yourself. And whether or not you can see it (and my guess is you can but just don’t want to), it’s taking a HUGE toll on you.

Here’s some subtle (and not so subtle ways) saying yes to others (and no to yourself) can be affecting you:

• Zaps your self esteem as you feel less important than everyone else
• Prevents you from doing something you really love to do
• Traps you into thinking you don’t matter
• Creates resentment, anger, and possibly some passive-aggressive behaviors you may not be terribly proud of

Now if the stuff on the list above is what you really want, then keep doing what you’re doing. But I’m guessing if you could really see how saying yes to everything and everyone else but yourself is affecting you, you’d want to stop immediately. Am I right?

Of course, that can be easier said than done. So where do you start?

By making small changes using tools that really work. Tools like setting boundaries, using positive statements, owning your own value and power, and making a habit of cutting out that which doesn’t serve you.

If you want some specific step-by-step, “here’s how you do it” instructions, I invite you to check out the “MAKE YOURSELF A PRIORITY” Seminar Series Bundle I created, full of 12 seminars that go over things like saying YES to yourself and all the other tools I mentioned, plus so much more. If you’re ready to learn tools that help you go from stressed and overwhelmed to feeling much more balanced and centered, this might be what you’re looking for.

Check it out at: http://www.krylyn.com/MakeYourselfAPriorityBundle

After all, until YOU can start saying YES to yourself, how can anyone else?