7 Power Questions All Creators Should Ask
“What will you do with your one wild and precious life?”
- Mary Oliver
Today at Creative Journey Cafe, we’re going to get a little bit deep. Why not? Clarity is a good thing, right? Right!
Below are 7 power questions that I think all creators should ask. Don’t panic if you don’t know the answers yet. Just stir them into your subconscious like sugar in your coffee, and see if over time your creative life gets a whole lot sweeter.
Ready? You sure? These are BIG questions now. Okay, Here we go:
1. What kind of creative legacy do you want to leave behind?
Why not start with the heaviest question of all? If our life is a parentheses in eternity, that means we have a limited amount of time to create and leave something behind. The key here is not to panic but to gain clarity, to start producing or being the thing we want to leave for the world. You might want to write that novel, or be the world’s greatest mother. Why not think it over?
2. Is what you’re currently creating an expression of who you truly are?
If the answer is no then you’re not moving toward leaving the creative legacy you desire. It’s very easy to get caught up creating for other people instead of producing work that is an expression of YOU. If you’re not carving out time to create from YOUR heart, you probably feel a constant nagging sensation. You feel unsatisfied. The only way to find peace is to do the work you were born to do and to share your talent with others to improve their lives.
3. What is your best skill, and are you doing that?
Do you know what you’re best at? Do you dismiss certain talents? Some people tell me they have no talent, but their personalities are warm, friendly and social. Guess what? That’s a talent! Use it!
4. What is it about you (and your style) that stands out from the pack, and are you doing that?
What can you do that I can’t do? Even if you’re surrounded by a dozen talented people who offer the same thing you do, what do you do better? Do that and you’ll succeed!
5. Are you clear about who (and what) your top 5 creative influences are?
Make a list of your top 5 creative heroes, then list their best character traits. Next, find the similarities between them. That’s you. Or rather, that’s who you want to be. This can immediately give clarity and purpose to your life and your creativity.
6. What 10 steps, if you took them, would earn you more money with your creativity?
There’s nothing like a little concentrated focus - or the power of an empowering question - to give you empowering answers. An additional question might be, What would I have to do to triple my income this year?
7. How can you volunteer your creative talent to improve the lives of those less fortunate?
There is no greater feeling on earth than volunteering your unique talent to improve the lives of the sick, elderly, or homeless. I guarantee, you will never again wonder what your purpose in life is.
Can you think of any other empowering questions for us? Leave a comment!
great questions, Mark. THANKS!
another (that’s the second question on my annual biz plan review) is a four-parter.
what does success look like to me (relative to my creative biz)?
(a) on a scale of 1-10 - how successful am i?
(b) on a scale of 1-10 - how important is success to me?
(c) what shifts will i make to become as successful as i want?
Wow! So much to think about here. Very timely as I was just encouraged this morning to pursue a creative venture in writing fiction, something I have never done.
One of the major reasons I am so pumped about my new business is that it is an expression of my creativity and what I really do best, get passionate about teaching science in a way that is engaging and exciting for kids and me! While getting the business together, I partnered up with a person who compliments my talents. This way we both do what we are gifted at and benefit the business as a whole. It’s a very mutualistic replationship. Kind of synergistic if that is a word.
As far as my legacy, I would like to touch people’s heart both for a love of life, of science and especialy for a love of God. I want to ignite passion in people to experience more in their lives, to live out loud, and to pass it forward.
Lisa - those are great additional questions to ponder. Particularly the part about what ’shifts’ you need to make. Good stuff!
Laurie - congrats on finding a business partner you work well with. You’re very lucky. I’m sure the enthusiasm you feel will rub off on the kids. Awesome!
Hi Mark,
These are very thought provoking questions.
When I started blogging I wrote in my “About” page: “In this uncertain world, my hope is to leave a small piece of what I’ve learned, on this “medium” called the “world wide web”, and hopefully benefit others for years to come”
I also want my readers to be informed “consumers”, and like Laurie, teach others to pay it forward.
Hey Mark,
Just found your site via SU. So far, loving it!
I really like these questions as they jive with what I’ve been thinking about lately.
Thanks for pointing out where the path is, and helping me look at things from the endpoint.
Alex
Alex - welcome to the cafe and thanks for the nice compliment! Come back anytime.
I am responding to this post although I also like the ones on fear, but I have no fear of my creativity. I just can’t do enough of it. BUT this one really hit into me because the thing that I sometimes have trouble with is focusing in on my strengths and working them more. I actually printed out this post because I am going to sit down and write out answers to all these questions. I don’t know if I’ve told you before but in my lifetime I’ve been a potter, a professional glass artisan, a performing pianist, a writer and photographer. The two most current are the writer and photographer. This post has come at a good time. Thank you so much!!!