Play to See What's Here

Play is our most powerful tool for transformation. 

Why is that? 

Because play is how we discove

r new opportunities and possibilities! 

I believe that artists and creators alike have a unique facility with play. 

Still, we often lose sight of this magnificent inner resource. 

In coaching, we talk a lot about playing with perspective.

Wherever we go, we look at the context around us through a lens.

Most of the time, we aren't aware of the lens we see our world through. 

And since we can't change what we can't see, we first have to see what is here and then make choices that move us in the direction of what we want to create. 

I spoke with an applicant for my Unstoppable course this morning who, for a few weeks, was looking at this course through a lens she called "Why Bother?" 

When we looked more closely at other perspectives that occupied her unconscious head-space, she was able to name one lens as "Too Old" and another as "Not Good At It." 

After playing with those perspectives, she became aware that there were other perspectives too. 

"Relief" was the first one she discovered after she committed to the course. 

Then she found more, like "Excitement," "Risk," and "Why not?!" 

Becoming aware of our unconscious perspectives creates more choice. That's how transformation happens. 

Now that she could see more clearly, she wanted to play more! 

We talked about an application deadline for a show that was approaching, but around which she was procrastinating.

She said, "Let me try on Play as a perspective, that feels liberating."

Pair that with some accountability (from me and in the Unstoppable course) and voilà... a small step in the direction of new possibilities.

So play with perspectives! Play with play!That is my challenge for you today!

If you are:

• Dreading an upcoming conversation

• Avoiding reaching out to a person you want to network with

• Stressed about applying for a residency

• Discouraged by the imperfections in your creative work or process

• Anxious about hearing "no" or being judged

Just notice what lens you are viewing your current circumstances through. Give it a name, any name!

Maybe it's SH*TSTORM? Maybe it's TERROR? Maybe it's MY MOTHER?Or it could be DREAD, AVOIDANCE, STRESS, DISCOURAGEMENT, ANXIETY. 

Whatever your perspective, accept it. It is what it is. 

Now, choose a new one. 

Maybe it's GROUNDED? Maybe it will be MAGIC? Maybe INTUITION? Maybe it's PLAY? 

Use this new lens to look at that same circumstance or context and ask yourself: 

What becomes possible from this perspective? 

The goal is not to do this right; the goal is to become aware, be in choice, and play with options.