“Your freedom to be creative depends on your ability to effectively manage
the tension that arises when you dare to create”. –This is the major
premise of my book, Unlock Your Creative Genius and it underlies the
ideas I share and the programs I offer on this website.
Bernie Golden, PhD
Creativity is one of life’s great sources of fulfillment, whether it’s expressed in the arts, science, business, or for sheer entertainment. When we are at our creative best, we experience great joy, excitement, anticipation, hope, and deep satisfaction. We are open to the exploration of our thoughts and emotions, and to the details of the world around us. And while the creative act may naturally arouse some discomfort, it is our capacity to sit with and move through such discomfort that allows us to sustain our creative engagement. Unfortunately, for many people such moments of uninhibited creative drive are all too rare. Often, when we attempt to be creative, we find ourselves confronted with self-doubt, judgmental attitudes, or even shame, guilt, and physical discomfort.
The premise underlying the programs I offer is that you can learn to effectively manage such tension and develop the openness in mind, body, and spirit that is essential for creative engagement; whether your creative endeavor is short-lived or requires sustained commitment. While a certain level of tension is associated with any creative endeavor, much of such discomfort is unnecessary and is a distraction that impedes such engagement. As described in my book, Unlock Your Creative Genius, I highlight several "inhibiting themes" that negatively impede creative engagement. These reflect a predisposition to experience specific uncomfortable "mind-body sets" that lead to distinct "moments of challenge" as we take specific steps toward accessing, accepting, or acting on our creative genius. By withdrawal, we betray our selves. In contrast, when we courageously embrace our creative yearnings, we live an authentic life journey reflective of an evolving self.
The major inhibiting themes include:
1. Fear of failure (really fear of rejection, feelings of inadequacy, and shame)
2. Fear of success (built on fears of rejection and abandonment, as well as guilt and shame)
3. Variations of guilt
4. Eluding shame
5. Fantasies that get in the way of dreams (especially fantasies about creativity)
6. Autonomy versus dependency conflicts
7. Discomfort with solitude
8. Fears of losing one's identity
Bernard Golden, PhD. • 1 East Delaware Place, Suite 310 Chicago, Illinois 60611 Email: bgolden10@sbcglobal.net - Tel. 312-642-0265
