Tag: Creative thinking and mindfulness

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Priyanka Shetty: Crafting #CHARLOTTESVILLE: Theatre from the Unite the Right Rally

Podcast Description

Priyanka Shetty was an acting student at The University of Virginia on her summer break in 2017 when the Alt Right rally dubbed “Unite the Right” took place. The event left such a mark that, as an immigrant from India, she was compelled to write plays like #CHARLOTTESVILLE, which premiered at the Keegan Theatre in Washington, DC. In The Creative Mindset, I converse with award-winning playwright and actor Priyanka Shetty to unpack art, identity, and resilience. Join us for vibrant chats that inspire and spark new ideas!





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Growth Mindset is Essential for Artists: 12 Quick Reasons Why a Rubber Band Attitude Can Make Your Art Knock People’s Socks (and Maybe Even Their Pants) Off!

Being an artist can be tough. It’s not just about whipping up a masterpiece on a whim, it’s about constant learning, experimentation and evolution. And what better way to do that than with a growth mindset? Here are 12 quick reasons why a growth mindset is essential to artists of every kind, and why it’s the secret ingredient to creating art that will knock people’s socks off (and maybe even their pants too)!

    1. Embrace challenges like they’re your long lost twin. A growth mindset allows artists to approach new challenges with open arms, ready to learn and create something amazing.
    2. Learn from mistakes like they’re your best friend. A growth mindset encourages artists to view mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve, rather than throwing in the towel and becoming a hermit.
    3. Embrace change like it’s a free hug from a stranger. A growth mindset allows artists to be open to new ideas, techniques, and ways of thinking, which can lead to more unique and creative pieces.
    4. Be open to feedback like it’s a compliment from a supermodel. A growth mindset enables artists to be open to feedback and criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
    5. Have a positive attitude like it’s a winning lottery ticket. A growth mindset helps artists to maintain a positive attitude, which can help them overcome obstacles and see the best in every situation.
    6. Surround yourself with positive people like they’re your personal cheering squad. A growth mindset encourages artists to surround themselves with positive and supportive people who can help them stay motivated and focused on their goals.
    7. Set goals like they’re your to-do list for world domination. A growth mindset encourages artists to set goals, which can help them stay focused and motivated on their growth journey.
    8. Take action like it’s a dare from your bravest friend. A growth mindset encourages artists to take action, no matter how big or small the task, to achieve their goals and improve their craft.
    9. Believe in yourself like you’re the chosen one. A growth mindset helps artists to believe in themselves and their abilities, which can help them achieve their goals and create meaningful work.
    10. Never stop learning like it’s your favorite hobby. A growth mindset encourages artists to always be open to learning new things, which can lead to a consistent evolution and improvement of their craft.
    11. Be resilient like a rubber band. A growth mindset helps artists to be resilient in the face of rejection or criticism, which can help them to keep going and to keep learning.
    12. Reflect like you’re staring in a mirror. A growth mindset encourages artists to reflect on their work, analyze what worked and what didn’t, and use that knowledge to improve their work in the future.

A growth mindset is essential for artists of every kind because it allows them to approach their craft with a sense of curiosity, experimentation, and openness to learning. It allows them to take risks, try new things, and continually push their boundaries to improve their skills and create new and exciting work. With a growth mindset, artists can improve their skills, learn from their experiences, and create work that is truly unique and meaningful. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want to create art that makes people’s pants fall off?


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Boost Your Creativity with Mindfulness

As a creative individual, you understand the value of cultivating a rich and expansive mind. However, it can be a challenge to tap into your own creativity on demand, and you may find yourself feeling stuck or burnt out. One way to overcome these roadblocks and boost your creativity is through the practice of mindfulness.

What exactly is mindfulness, and how does it relate to creativity?

Mindfulness is a form of meditation that involves paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. It helps to quiet the constant chatter of our minds and become more aware of our thoughts and feelings.

While mindfulness is something each of us naturally possess, it’s more readily available to us when we practice it on a daily basis. Bringing awareness to what you’re experiencing via your senses, or to your state of mind via your thoughts and emotions means you’re being mindful. 

There’s growing research that shows that when you train your brain to be mindful, you’re actually remodeling the structure of your brain. You can essentially wake up to the inner workings of your emotional, mental, and physical processes.

Mindfulness can also have a positive impact on our creativity. Here are a few ways:

    1. Mindfulness helps us to become more aware of our thoughts and feelings. When we are more aware of our emotional state, we are able to identify limiting beliefs and negative self-talk more efficiently. These negative emotions and thoughts may be holding us back without us even realizing it. By becoming more aware of these patterns, we can start to shift our focus to more positive and empowering thoughts.
    2. Mindfulness helps us to focus and concentrate. When we are able to quiet the chatter in our minds, we are able to focus on the task or problem at hand. This heightened state of focus can help us to generate innovative ideas and come up with creative solutions.
    3. Becoming more open and receptive to new experiences and information is a positive impact of mindfulness. By training our minds to be present and open, we are able to observe and learn from the world around us. This leads to a wider range of experiences and ideas to draw from, which can fuel our creativity.

The relationship between creativity and mindfulness goes beyond just the individual.

Mindfulness can be beneficial in a group setting, for example a brainstorming session or a team meeting. By creating a mindful environment, team members are more likely to feel heard and respected, which can lead to more open and creative discussions. This often leads to a positive work environment, more productivity, and great creative outlets.

How can you begin incorporating mindfulness into your creative process? Let’s talk about the steps you can take…

    1. Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can sit or lie down to relax. You can close your eyes or gaze softly at a spot in front of you.
    2. Take a few deep breaths and focus on the sensation of the air moving in and out of your lungs.
    3. Observe the present moment. The main goal of mindfulness is not to completely quiet the mind, or to achieve a state of calm. Instead, the goal is simple, the aim is to pay attention to the present moment, without judgment. This is easier said than done.
    4. Let your judgments roll on by. If you notice judgments arise during your practice, make a mental note, and then let them pass.
    5. If you find your mind wandering, that’s okay. Don’t judge yourself for whatever thoughts pop up, just practice recognizing when your mind has wandered off, and gently bring it back to the present. Simply acknowledge the thought and gently bring your focus back to your breath.
    6. Practice for at least 5-10 minutes a day, gradually increasing the amount of time as you become more comfortable with the mindfulness practice.

By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can see an improvement in your creativity and overall well-being. Why not give it a try and see how it enhances your creative process and daily life? Let’s be mindful together!

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