Creativity and the Comparison Game

day and night by fotolympus

I first posted about Dr. Brené Brown and her book The Gifts of Imperfection (2010), here . I just finished reading a chapter on creativity and comparison. She tells of a friend "who always says that 'Comparison is the thief of happiness'" (p. 95). Can you hear the loud gonging noise rattling my brain? Right, thanks for the reminder...again. Sigh.  


When you find yourself being pulled down by the weight of keeping up with whom ever or what ever, how does that influence how you feel and think about yourself? This "not good enough" state can be insidious in its ways of shifting our consciousness. 


Brené writes that "Creativity...is the expression of our originality, helps us stay mindful that what we bring to the world is completely original and cannot be compared. And, without comparison, concepts like ahead or behind or best or worst lose their meaning."(p. 97).


By building self-awareness and recognizing when we're being stalked by the comparison thief, we can thwart its attempts to drag us back into a "scarcity" mindset. 


Thought Challenge: Many of us at one time or another get caught up in the comparison game. Take a moment to reflect on the circumstances when this is likely to creep up on you. What are some strategies you can use to help you shift into gratitude? What are your creativity weapons? What is one step you can take to connect to your creative power?

Wednesday Time Out: Wholehearted Imperfection

I'd like to introduce you to Brené Brown. She calls herself a "researcher storyteller." I call her inspirational and can't wait to hear her speak at the Vancouver International Coach Federation (ICF) meeting in September. Here's a clip from TED talks, it's 20 minutes long. I encourage you to take time out to hear a little of her own story and how her research on vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame has led her to focus on the concept of wholeheartedness. While you're at it, check out her blog.