Day 16 - Ch 13-15 - Trust the Process

McNiff opens Chapter 13 encouraging readers to begin in “playful exploration” without expectation of the outcome.  He suggests that "being present" is one of the essential skills an artist can use within a creative process. Play does not focus on the outcome.  When one holds a view of play as "a waste of time or money" he cautions the reader to being aware of making critical statements as this statement tells the reader they are viewing their creative process from the end product perspective.  For some people, being present to play is difficult as they are “reluctant to risk opening themselves to the unknown.”  In other words, they think ‘better to not try than to try and fail.’  McNiff suggests that “free play” is the best way to achieve a practice of presence, as there are no hold to the desire of the outcome.  Play will always act as a container for our expression.  Life matures to an unrelenting exchange between play and technical proficiency. 

In the next chapter, McNiff invites creativity into the workplace, asking the reader to explore how creativity would transform their organization.  He shares how as dean of a graduate school was able to shift his own thinking about his role and the challenges he faced.  He was able to apply a creative process to explore a more satisfying work environment.  He first suggests to “re-invision what we take for granted.”  He offers other suggestions such as sifting one’s attitude, changing perspectives, embracing mindfully, and “sit with what you have and dream with it in a new way.”   Creativity is not something that is exclusively to an individual.  But rather allowing creativity the opportunity within the workplace to interact in different ways to solve problems.  

The chapter on Vision, McNiff offers how one action often leads to another.  Creativity makes use of everything - internal and external influences, and even adversity.  He states “visions are a sense of possibility and never rigid scripts. They grow from a person’s longing and interactions with the world.” Our lives are consistently moving in and out of creative inspiration, shaped by the experiences one has.  The creative process flourishes within a challenging environment.  He asks the reader to review their own life for phases of adversity, lost opportunities, or outrageous achievements.  To review what was learned from missed opportunities in order to gain insight and influence a future sense of direction. 


I encourage you to buy a copy of Trust the Process for a better understanding of your own creative process.  Whether you're a master artist or beginning artist, this is an excellent book.

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