faq about creativity coaching

Creativity Coaching FAQs

1. • What is creativity coaching?
   

Creativity Coaching focuses on developing artistic talents by addressing the blocks, procrastination, anxiety and other issues that accompany the creative act in order to find solutions to live a balanced and productive creative life.

1. •  What is the difference between a life coach and a creativity coach?
   

They are similar except the Creativity Coach focuses more specifically on creative work, the imaginative process and  making meaning.

1. •  Given the troubled economy why should someone hire a creativity coach?
   

To have the support and encouragement of someone who understands how difficult it might be to be creative when facing economic challenges can be the difference between depression or making meaning.

1. •  What kind of results can a creative person expect when working with a creativity coach?
   

Achieve greater focus and confidence; discover how to create in the middle of things; learn tools to reduce anxiety; develop the courage to finish the novel or screenplay; be centered and balanced when approaching the producer or gallery owner.

1. •  Why is it important for veterans and returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan to write and tell their stories?
   

Writing heals. When veterans are given the supportive and nutritive space to tell their stories, the journey home can begin. When civilians listen to what they have to tell, a bridge is built to help them come all the way home.

1. •  What issues does an aspiring screenwriter face?
   

No matter how great an idea an aspiring screenwriter might have, it takes persistent, dedicated and focused effort to develop the idea into a well crafted screenplay. The novice might wait for the “muse” to magically appear, succumb to procrastination, forgo scheduling or honoring the writing time, and eventually either give up on the project or send it out too soon.

1. •  How does a creativity coach help an entertainment industry professional cope with the stress of a television series?
   

By listening and being the one person they can trust and confide in without fear of judgment or rejection. By learning how to monitor negative self talk. By helping them maintain balance through learned anxiety management techniques. By inspiring them to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

1. •  What are the different challenges a young aspiring actor faces as opposed to an actor over 50?
   

The aspiring actor oftentimes needs to juggle making a living in another career and honing their craft at the same time. The older actor oftentimes discovers there are fewer and fewer roles for them to play. The younger actor might experience anxiety and doubts while the older actor can experience fear and a profound meaning crisis.

1. •   How can creativity coaching help an entertainment industry professional who has been out of work for six months or longer?
   

Setting goals and taking step-by-step actions to accomplish the goals empowers them to discover healthy and creative ways to bring balance and meaning into their daily lives. There is the possibility of hope instead of despair.

1. •   What challenges do actors and crewmembers face when away on location?
   

Maintaining the essential and very important connection to home and loved ones; not falling into old bad habits; keeping a balanced and healthy lifestyle; becoming integrated and comfortable in a foreign place and culture; not feeling helpless when a crisis arises back home; and remembering not to argue or feel sorry for yourself when talking on the phone with your other half.

1. •   What are some of the challenges when retiring from the entertainment industry and how do they cope with them?
   

Fear of the unknown and a sense of loss can possibly sabotage new and exciting possibilities. Finding a new creative passion or embracing the one that has been pushed aside while working might be the best way to be inspired and make meaning in this next chapter of life.

•How can a creativity coach help someone who consistently starts and stops writing, painting, singing or any other kind of creative act?

By learning how to create in the middle of things; by scheduling time to be creative; by being accountable to yourself and the work; by pushing through resistance, procrastination or doubts can help the stop-and-start creative person establish a consistent an fulfilling creative life.