Maisel - Mastering creative anxiety: twenty-four lessons for writers, painters, musicians, and actors from Americas foremost creativity coach

Copyright 2011 by Eric Maisel

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The material in this book is intended for education. It is not meant to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified medical practitioner or therapist. No expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given nor liability taken.

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Maisel, Eric, date.
Mastering creative anxiety : twenty-four lessons for writers, painters, musicians, and actors from Americas foremost creativity coach / Eric Maisel.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-57731-932-0 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. Creative ability. 2. Anxiety. 3. Performance anxiety. 4. Writers block.

5. ArtistsPsychology. 1. Title.

BF408.M2326 2011

700.1'9dc22

2010048857

First printing, March 2011

ISBN 978-1-57731-932-0

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Eric Maisels psychological approach sets his work apart.

Eric Maisel has made a career out of helping artists cope with the traumas and troubles that are the price of admission to a creative life.

Eric Maisels books should be required reading for anyone involved in the arts, especially students and their teachers. Maisel demystifies the process of creating art.

[Brainstorm] is a book that should be read by all who want to live their life in a way that is vital and leaves some kind of legacy. Its not about fame and fortune, but rather, about ensuring that this brief span that we have on Earth is one that has value where we leave some kind of impression. Theres nothing that matters more.

All too often people overlook the basics of a productive life, distracted by multitasking, marketing, and information overload. With this provocative departure from the usual lifestyle manual, the Maisels are out to break us of those tendencies.

Presents a new way of thinking about how to turn brain potential into passion, energy, and genuine accomplishments.

What a pivotal way to experience your brain and all that it can create! I love that this book celebrates and teaches the concept of productive obsession and the multitudinous gifts of brainstorming.

A great tool for anyone who might be feeling stuck with a creative urge or idea but hasnt brought it to fruition. Youll discover how to use your brain as your ally and go beyond what you thought possible.

Elegantly combines the most inspiring elements of mindfulness, engagement, focus, and flow. Eric Maisel shows how we can be more productive by turning obsessions into positive passions.

You need to buy this book now, let it liberate your spirit, and put the Maisels plan into practice. Then buy copies for every creative person you know. Its absolutely the finest gift you could ever give.

17. The Anxiety of Ego Bruising

A re you creating less often than you would like? Are you avoiding your creative work altogether? If so, anxiety may be the culprit! Anxiety regularly stops creative people in their tracks and makes their experience of creating more painful than pleasurable. It stops would-be creative people entirely, preventing them from realizing their dreams. Anxiety is the number one problem that creative people face and yet few even realize it.

Do you procrastinate? Thats anxiety. Do you resist getting to your work or marketing your work? Thats anxiety. Do you have trouble deciding which creative project to tackle? Thats anxiety. Do you find completing work hard? Thats anxiety. Anxiety permeates the creative process. Learn what to do about it! In this book youll learn how to start and complete your creative projects without experiencing disabling anxiety. Youll learn little-known anxiety-management techniques that can help enormously. And youll also learn what