All articles, tagged with “intention”

Yeah, I know, anything with “Ultimate” in it sounds like a huge promise. But we’ve come across a new way to help our students and anyone else who wants to achieve new levels of success. Those who are already using this plan are getting huge results!

Rather than trying to remember the details of the plan, print out this page so you can follow the steps.

We all know that consistency, focus and plans for action are keys to getting results from our creative practice, right? Our state of mind when we create plays an even larger role.

The “Ultimate Practice Guide” builds on these ideas with the following steps:

1. At the beginning of each week, write down a statement of intention on paper.

We recommend that you get a notebook that you’ll continue to use for tracking your practice process. Here’s an example of a statement of intention for practicing that’s short and simple:

“I intend to practice 6 days this week and my practice time for my first practice is 8:30 am.”

Setting a time is important because you’re less likely to put it off if you plan around your practice time. The time may change from day to day, but it’s still a good idea to write down the intended time. Note that everything is written in present tense, not future tense.

In addition, write out the specifics of your first day of practice. It’s preferable to do this the day before you practice. Why? Because you will process the plans in your subconscious mind while you sleep, making it much more likely that you’ll follow through the next day!

2. Begin every practice session with these short, but powerful steps:

a) Do a deep breathing exercise that allows you to clear your mind and body of any distracting thoughts and emotions before you engage in practice. After all, effective practice requires your undivided attention. (If you need ideas about breathing exercises, feel free to write to us at Greg@GCCreativeStudio.com)
b) turn off all electronic distractions in your practice space — TV, cell phone, computer, etc.
c) Look over your written practice plans for the day. Because you already wrote out the details of your practice, the plans are clear and you’re many times more likely to follow through with your intention.

3. Follow through with the plans you wrote down on paper. Experience supercharged creativity in your practice.

Here is the part of the plan in which you create or practice. Notice how it’s couched in the middle of all these supportive processes.

4. Put a check mark next to each item you complete from your written plans.

5. At the end of the day’s practice time, write out your plans for the next day.

If you want further fuel for this idea about writing out your plans the day before you actually practice, remember this quote from Jim Fannin, who is a coach of many world class athletes:

“Champions walk into the arena having already won. Others walk in and try to figure out how to win.”

Yes, we’re talking about a creative process, and the sports analogy is a good one. Why? Champions find time to practice in any field. Most people never get around to consistent practicing or creating. Life “gets in the way.” Also, many well-meaning people don’t actually conceive detailed plans about what they want to do or how they intend to do it. So, if you think this process seems too regimented for creative activity, give it a try first and see which creative pathways you open up for yourself.

Step 5 definitely helps you to “win” before you begin, but the final step takes the entire process to a higher level…

6. Visualize tomorrow’s practice session right before you go to sleep.

This is the crown jewel in the process, folks. Just before you go to sleep, your thoughts in that last hour of the day are processed in your subconscious many more times than everything that took place throughout the day. If you go to bed worrying, you will likely wake up not feeling very refreshed (and the worry from the night before will resume the next morning).

But imagine going to sleep visualizing your creative plans and your success with that process. You are then using your greatest ally, the subconscious mind, which will help you fulfill the success that you visualize with effortless ease. Creative visualization also makes you a more creative person.

Don’t just take our word for it. We’re not asking you to believe in this process without giving it a try. For maximum results, plan to use these ideas for three weeks. You will be amazed at what you can do in just 21 days!

Good luck and much success to you!

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about exercise, so I thought I would write about what has worked for me. Here’s some food for thought when it comes to either starting or varying your exercise routine.

I found an interesting quote from Carol Welch about movement (which I translated into exercise) today:

“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional and mental states.”

Exercise is different for everyone, so there is no “catch-all” prescription for a successful routine. Choose what’s right for you.

Here’s what I do to keep it fresh since I exercise 5 to 6 days a week for 50 to 51 weeks out of the year (I take off a full week to let my body just BE).

Ten Tips To A Better Exercise Routine in 2010

1. As you do indoor cardiovascular training (i.e., running, elliptical training, rowing, etc.), become aware of sensations in your body and just observe them. Also, observe your breath at different times during the workout. This meditation in motion keeps your mind from focusing on how much longer you have to go.

2. Try doing cardio activities outside in an inspiring setting. It’s so much easier to enjoy the workout when you’re surrounded by beauty. In the winter, try cross country skiing.

3. When lifting weights or doing resistance training, focus on the muscle group that you are training as you lift. Feel that muscle as you perform the movement. Visualize that area receiving benefit from your work.

4. Find a training program online or in a magazine that gives you a fresh new approach while guiding you through a time period that is long enough to effortlessly form a new habit.

5. Find an exercise friend. This could be someone you exercise with or it could be a friend that you report your exercise activity to in a short e-mail. It’s fun to exercise with someone else or to embark on a new program with someone else. That accountability also helps you form a habit.

6. Write out some fitness goals. You could specify weight loss goals or you could write out your routine before you start. You can keep track of your reps and sets in a notebook with weightlifting, but you could also project some targets for the next week, month or three months. Check in with these goals once per week and revise whatever is necessary.

7. Try different forms of exercise. My fitness routine includes weight lifting, mountain biking, indoor cardio, Qigong, yoga, walking around the neighborhood, hiking in nature, cross country skiing, riding my bike to errands and whatever else helps me to stay in shape and have fun.

8. If you’re trying to get started, start by setting a time each day that you will begin to associate with movement. Writing down your plans will further solidify your intention. You could start by saying, “I will walk for 20 minutes after dinner,” or “I will walk up and down the steps a few times before breakfast.” As soon as you associate a certain time of day with planned exercise of some form, you end that struggle to get your routine started.

9. Do some form of stretching in the morning. This doesn’t have to be a formal practice, but I really benefit from yoga after I awaken and meditate. A morning stretching routine eases you into the day and energizes your body. It also makes it easier to exercise later in the day because the intention for good health is there and your increased flexibility makes exercise more effective.

10. Start today! The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you won’t start. If you’ve already started, congratulations! I hope some of the ideas above will help you to be more creative in your approach.

Let’s end today’s post with two more inspiring images from Sanibel Island, Florida at sunrise.

If you haven’t heard, it’s 2010!

The beginning of the year is a traditional time in which people set goals and see how well they can stick to their intentions.

Even though I haven’t done the good old “New Year’s Resolution” in a while, I do re-calibrate my priorities at the beginning of each year (and throughout the year).

One of the most significant things we can examine and improve is how we relate to other people.

Here are some things that Candice and I do regarding relationships. You might find these techniques helpful as you renew important relationships in your life.

Relationship Renewal Techniques

1. If you wish to improve your relationship with anyone, from your significant other to your boss or your mother, try writing down a list of things that you appreciate about that person. Write it on a piece of paper as you think about this individual. Observe what happens to the relationship after you do this — it’s pretty cool.

2. If you are at an impasse with someone, try writing them a letter (one that you won’t actually send to them), expressing your feelings in great detail. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel when you express your feelings about a challenging relationship. People tend to repress their feelings when they’re upset with someone. As you may know, the anger can build to a point in which you cannot see the situation with clear vision. The idea here is to keep the letter in a confidential place after your write it. Some people even burn letters like this after they write them. I’ve done this when a relationship reaches a low point and it’s amazing what happens after the letter is written. At the very least, you’ll feel better.

3. Give something to someone that you want for yourself. You don’t even have to give it to the person from whom you want something. Maybe you’re looking for approval from your boss. Try giving someone a compliment when you’re moved to do so. Maybe you want to be accepted by your father. Try accepting someone in your life that has different ideas than you about living day to day. You get the point. You can create a new cycle of ease with this process.

In the next few weeks, the topics will include exercise, organization and calm focus. We hope these tools contribute to you having a fantastic week!

Enjoy these sunset photos from Sanibel Island, Florida.