Infinite Possibilities = Chaos + Creativity…

Posted by Michelle Harrington on Jan 31st, 2009 home title

I had the pleasure of seeing Deepak Chopra during his recent visit to Kauai for the Inspiration Journal Health & Wellness Expo. Although my brain had to attempt some back flips to comprehend some of what he shared there were some concepts that did coalesce without much effort. One being the undeniable fact that we are all co-creating lives full of infinite possibilities.

Another one of Deepak’s observations that I found particularly reassuring was that with chaos comes creativity. He pointed out when people (for example our former president) are “so sure” that the way they are doing things is right – there is little or no room for creativity. When we are unsure and feel the “chaos” of uncertainty we have the opportunity to look for creative solutions and answers.

I found myself relating this to how I feel in my line of work as a website designer. There are times when I start to work on the design of a new project that it feels like chaos. I begin with a handful of ideas ripped from newspapers and magazines, concepts scribbled on scraps of paper, copy from the client, a bounty of fonts and color swatches to choose from, as well as my perception of the client’s expectations swirling around me – add to that my expectations to create something stunning and brilliant and it all becomes a bit overwhelming.

Sometimes those early stages of the design process tick by ever so slowly as I see the hours racking up on my time sheet – questions like what if I never get it right? What if the client doesn’t like what I come up with? What if I burn up the whole website budget coming up with a design? Not to mention comparing myself with other designers who I admire…lots of chaotic energy and uncertainty abound.

And then there are those moments when out of the seeming chaos everything starts to come together and the creativity begins to flow with little effort. I forget about the time sheet and just know that the most important thing right here and now is being in the flow of creating a design that reflects my client’s essence and message. The perfect images reveal themselves, the tools and skills that I need to implement the forming creation in my head all come to mind at just the right moment….and the design starts to take shape and fall into place. The design may not be what I had originally envisioned but usually it is even better than expected – something unique and inspired… by a little chaos. Had I been so sure of my abilities from the get go I know the outcome would have been a whole lot less inspired….

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.

If you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium
and be lost.
The world will not have it.

It is not yours to determine how good it is;
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware directly
to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open.
No artist is ever pleased.
There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction;
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes us more alive than the others.”

–Martha Graham

There are plenty of times I’ve wanted to give up along the way, but when I look back at how much my work has evolved and consider all that I have learned since launching on this journey of self employment (and self discovery), I couldn’t be more grateful for it all – the clarity and the chaos.

I recognize many other examples in my own life, where it seems like there is so much chaos and uncertainty about what is the “right” thing to do (there are lots of those moments raising a 13 year old daughter). However, when I release to the uncertainty and chaos, in time the creative solutions and answers come quietly into view….

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Author | Michelle Harrington of Emagine Web Marketing
Michelle is a web development and internet marketing professional dedicated to helping small businesses in Hawaii achieve success online. Michelle provides free advice, tips and how to's on the Small Business Internet Marketing Blog.

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