Day 69 - Ch 6 Con't - Imagination in Action

McNiff reminds the reader the all too common mistakes one engages with in the creative process, the fixation on control, or in other words, perfectionism.  It tends to curb all exploration with a hypervigilance to have things be correct ALL the time.  Beginning with the outcome, the product of what is to be produced, one fixates on the ideal.  The author states “fixation on controlling small things is connected to an inability to appreciate the complete composition.”  One is unable to grasp the bigger picture with a focus of all energy on the little things, of which take the most energy and time.  McNiff encourages the reader to develop a “good enough” standard to which they would be able to create consistency and move confidently within their creative discovery.  He cautions the reader to be aware of ego and how often allowing one’s ego to lead, tends to have one compromising on their expression.  Over the years, McNiff suggests, one’s failures are to be viewed as unsuccessful experiments; to provide the data only for what works and what does not.   Yet some view these as defeats, and never complete a desired creative endeavor.  A result of fear and a lack of confidence.  Becoming aware of the constraints of perfectionism, to practice reviewing how these might have contributed to one not being able to express a creative idea.  Above all, he suggests to make a commitment to one’s deepest purpose, as a discipline is only achieved through a practice.  Commit to doing a daily practice of developing skills, refining techniques, activating one’s imagination, through repetition to achieve a natural flow of expression.  His last suggestion for his reader is to “teach yourself.”  Artistic skills are not bestowed on those deemed “gifted.”  These are developed over a period of time with consciousness to inform oneself.  While one might practice along, he suggests a creative practice with others helps one move beyond the patterns of resistance and are more motivated by witnessing others in their creative exploration. 

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