Are you going up or down?
We are either on an upward spiral or a downward spiral. Our direction affects the people around us.
Let’s create an environment where we help each other to consistently live in the upward spiral.
Part 1 – How to be with Yourself
Get Outside Your Comfort Zone
Growth comes at the point of resistance. Try things, especially when it makes you uncomfortable. The learning you will gain from being outside your comfort zone is much more important than the short-term result.
Work Hard
Make an effort. Don’t make excuses.
Be Kind to Yourself
Treat yourself well. If you notice that you are beating yourself up, find kindness in that realization. This kindness creates space for the upward spiral.
Understand the Importance of Rest
Manage your energy well. Burning out is much more costly than regularly taking time off. If you find yourself chronically sleep-deprived, ask for help in order to create a sustainable rhythm for yourself.
Anticipate
Men and women anticipate. Children complain.
Part 2 – How to be with each other
Be Open-Minded
Understand that nobody has the complete truth – including you. Be open-minded about how other people see the world. You might learn something.
Be on Time
Arrive early enough for events so you are relaxed and ready at the starting time. Understand that chronically arriving late is toxic. It pulls you and others into a downward spiral.
Be Generous
Be generous with sharing your knowledge and materials. Help other people. You will find that others will be helpful and generous with you in return.
Be Transparent
Share how you feel and what you think, especially when you find it difficult to do so. Issues that are not addressed usually get worse over time and eventually blow up.
None of us can do this alone.
Let’s help each other grow as artists and people.
What we want | What we don’t want |
How to be with others | |
Being Considerate | Being Selfish |
Being Honest With Each Other | Lying |
Sharing, Being Generous, Helping each other | Being Selfish, Indifferent Towards Others |
Being Respectful | Bring Disrespectful |
Being Assertive and Open-Minded at the Same Time | Being Meek and Close-Minded |
Having Confidence to Disagree & Discuss | Being Afraid to Disagree & Discuss |
Having Courage (in positive context) | Being Cowardly |
Giving Useful Feedback | Giving Useless Feedback |
Being Kind / Constructive | Being Nasty / Destructive |
How to be with yourself | |
Understanding the Importance of Rest, Managing Energy Well | Burning Out, Not Understanding the Importance of Rest |
Working Hard | Being Lazy |
Taking Responsibility | Being Irresponsible |
Having Passion / Caring Deeply | Not caring |
Challenging Yourself to Leave Your Comfort Zone | Staying in your Comfort Zone |
Perseverance, Resilience, Not giving up | Giving Up Easily, Letting Obstacles Stop You |
Being Honest with Yourself | Lying to Yourself |
Being Sincere | Being Flaky, Insincere |
Getting focused, staying focused | Getting distracted |
Just Doing It | Procrastinating |
Being Able to Critique One’s Own Work | Not being able to see one’s own work objectively |
Self-Love | Self-Loathing |
Things We Value | |
Growth & Learning (Process, Method) | Stagnation |
Being productive / having good time management | Being unproductive, wasting time, having poor time management |
Choosing the right strategy | Not choosing any strategy |
Being Open-Minded | Being Close-Minded |
Joy | Pain |
Feeling Love for Learning | Feeling Inability to Learn, Fear, Pain |
Being resourceful / being creative / Not complaining | Being complacent, complaining, being lazy |
Being Social | Being Anti-Social |
Being Comfortable With Tools/Techniques | Being Uncomfortable With Tools/Techniques |
Understanding | Not Understanding |
Self-Improvement | No Self-Improvement |
Mastery | Mediocrity |