Structure + You = ?
When I read this quote by James Clear: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems,” my Virgo heart did a little flip! I LOVE a good system, despite being a very creative person.
Actually, I love a good system BECAUSE I am a very creative person.
It might seem like systems and creativity would be on opposite sides of the spectrum when, in fact, they are beautiful dance partners! A good system consists of the structure that my creativity flows through towards the things that I want. My creativity helps me to create the systems that actually work for me, how I think, work, and want to feel in the process.
Of course, many of the creatives I work with aren’t yet convinced. Last week, a client and I began reviewing her existing systems. I felt her energy withdraw. So I paused and asked her what she was thinking and feeling about the conversation.
“I don’t think I have a good relationship with structure,” she very wisely said. She wants to be free to do what she wants to do when she wants to do it and talking about structure makes her feel frustrated and inhibited. Most creatives would agree.
I get it. The only problem was that she was not doing the things she wanted to do and never wanted to do them. This was also frustrating her. This is why she is in coaching.
I invited her to close her eyes and get in touch with how she feels about structure. Then I invited her to do a doodle that represented her current relationship with structure.
We had a good chuckle together when she held up her paper to show me her doodle of the Leaning Tower of Pisa! YES! I love this symbol because it is a precious, beautiful piece of architecture that is also very vulnerable. It could use more support to ensure its preservation much like her dreams.
I asked her to give it a speech bubble and write the first thing it said to her. She wrote, “I still work!” Yes, it does still work, but for how long? When will it topple? What beautiful thing could she sustain for the long term if her systems were more supportive?
Another creative client doodled a house character. It was a simple house shape with legs, no arms, and small sunken eyes. A house is another great symbol because it demonstrates how structures can help us take care of our goals and nurture them.
Her house character said, “Build me!” So, I invited her to see her character as a blank slate and to keep working on it to make it a character she would love to interact with.
Her house character now had a wood finish, eyes with more details, and building tools. He now had tools and hands to build with! He had soulful eyes you could connect with! This is what your systems should feel like.
Once you can establish structures and systems that feel good, are empowering, and nurture the values most dear to you, life transforms into a vibrant playground for creativity.
This is why I love a good system - not just because I am a Virgo ;)
☆★ Creative Challenge: Are you curious about your relationship with structure? Grab something to doodle on and doodle with and follow along with this Doodle-to-Doing BURST. Then, hit reply and tell me what you doodled!
If you would like more support in building a better relationship with structure, I am happy to help through my Creative Executive Function Coaching program!