Resources:

An old (yet useful) primer on #chaosmagick.

Octavia E. Butler's "Positive Obsession" essay.

If the above do not work on your podcast host, go to www.shawntaylor.net.

Tools/Assignments:

Create your own anchoring/centering formula or mnemonic or acronym. Make it easy to remember. Simplicity is so underrated. Just because something is complicated doesn’t mean it is better or more useful. 

You could try a formula like I shared in this episode (Imagination x Will + Focus = A Result), something that kind of builds on the thing before it. Or you could do something like a client of mine (a comic book creator) did to remind herself to keep practicing the basics. Her anchoring phrase was DRAW. Every time she felt stagnant, or sluggish, or unmotivated, she’d remind herself to DRAW. D.R.A.W. Drawing, reading and writing. She put this on post-its all around her apartment, in her phone with alarms, it was something she attributed to her current success. When she was down, she’d see DRAW everywhere and would draw something, read something, or write something. Didn’t matter what it was. He centering mechanism wasn’t designed to create something specific. Hers was designed to give herself a swift kick in the pants, to jumpstart her creative process. Once she knocked off the dust and rust, she was ready to do the work. Think of your center/anchor as a promise you will keep to yourself to keep creating, despite perceived barriers—design it to remind yourself just how dope you are and that you deserve to revel in and celebrate your creativity. 

Remember, not everything is for everybody, but give it go. You may just be surprised.

Until next time. 

Peace