Focus and Flow - How to Bring Creative Action to Artistic Projects

Hi dancers,

do you have a project or awesome idea that you've been contemplating for some time? Does it seem to stop and start, with a wavering kind of energy... and even though the logistics of the process seem do-able, something prevents you from getting past the finish line?

I know what that feels like. Successful projects can be a real balancing act. They need a spirit of fun and play to make you want to stick with them. Yet the step-by-step process is essential of you want to get it completed. So, why do we see so many 'abandoned ideas' and how can we integrate the polarities of "exploration" and "action".

My June blog is in the form of a very short audio. I too am in the process of working through a timeline of practical steps required to finish some dance projects, and am familiar with the process of navigating between focus and flow. I also know what getting too caught up with either polarity can do... and its usually detrimental to reaching the ultimate goal.

Projects flourish when they feel like they're fun. They get abandoned when they're not fun anymore, or feel too hard or costly in terms of personal "effort" or "time". Actually, the truth is that we can always make time for what we like, or what feels good... so there is something else lying at the bottom of this! It is usually the illusion of "perfection". Perfectionists possibly have the hardest time with projects, because in the perfectionist's mind - unless its 'perfect' its not worth doing. Which leaves many artists cold... because art is about creativity and exploration.

Again, the bottom line is it has to be FUN to make you want to stick with it!!

This month's topic relates to staying open and curious even when working through a linear course of steps on the way to project completion. Reaching an artistic goal is a process that can quickly become quite linear (i.e.: boring, feels like hard work), yet at the same time, too much option and curiosity can take us off track and lead us on a path of procrastination or even worse, never actually actualizing an idea or finishing a project that could have massively propelled our artistic journey.

Here is an easy way of working within the timeline of your dream-projects, with a sense of balance offers both fun and action... supported by two core "curiosity vs action" pathways from Somatics and Bartenieff Fundamentals.

Have a lovely month!
Keti

http://ketisharif.com/focusflow.mp3