Copyright 1994 Philip Kramer. You may reproduce and redist- ribute this file electronically so long as you keep it intact. All other rights reserved. Excerpted from THE CREATIVE GLOW: HOW TO BE MORE ORIGINAL, INSPIRED & PRODUCTIVE IN YOUR WORK, Volume I, #2.
In my favorite scene of "The Wizard of Oz," the Great and Fearless Oz,
unmasked as a mortal, certifies that the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the
Cowardly Lion had all along possessed the strengths they had sought through
their perilous journey with the Oz. For example, in one of my workshops a social
worker identified as one of her writing obstacles the fact that she got easily
distracted. After she had briefly sampled several writing exercises, I asked if
she had had a hard time concentrating while she was writing. "No," she said.
"For ten or twenty or minutes.
To claim your creative strengths, first make a list of what you view as your weaknesses. Complete these phrases that point toward things that give you difficulty about writing: "I can't ..." ("I can't come up with ideas when I need them"); "I can only Now imagine that problem statement on your list represents a talent masquerading as a problem. What is the hidden skill in each? Ask yourself what is different about you compared with those who do not possess each characteristic.
Problem: I always want to go in twenty directions at once. Strength: I am blessed with an abundance of ideas.
Problem: I can't stop worrying about what people will say. Strength: I know how to anticipate reactions to my work.
Once you've formulated your key reversal, ask yourself how you can truly
capitalize on each strength. One fellow wanted to create musical plays, but
could only write the words, not put them fetchingly to music. He phrased his
peculiarity to himself Unlike "positive thinking," in which you ignore reality
in favor of a vision of what could be, this approach encourages you to value
what you already really do have. If it helps you get in the mood, close your
eyes, click your heels together three times.