Linda Dessau
Linda Dessau Quick Facts
Articles by this expert
SelfGrowth articles and saved writing connected to this expert.
Article
How My Many Hats Fuel My Creativity
Margaret Lobenstine would call me a Renaissance Soul . Chris King would refer to my " portfolio career ". nnI usually just use the expression that I wear many different hats â throughout each day and throughout my life.nnI love this life and wouldn't have it any other way and yet sometimes it wears me down just a little bit, usually when one of two possible things is occurring.nnThe first thing is that someone has asked me, "So what do you do?" and I'm having a hard time de
September 3, 2006
Article
Going With the Ebb and Flow: The Creative Cycle
The Four Elements nnI've often noticed how water can inspire moments of creative problem solving and inspiration. nnSome people "plant" a problem to be solved under their pillow before sleep. Similarly, when I need inspiration about a project or situation Iâm facing, Iâll sometimes, "plant" it before I engage in a water activity such as taking a shower or doing the dishes.nnI simply minimize all other sounds by turning off the television or music, and then I gently let co
July 25, 2006
Article
Attraction: What we attract with our creative choices
I used to be a jazz singer. I thought Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan were wonderful and I strived to sing like they did. But no one impressed me as much as Billie Holiday. The tragedy and the talent meshed together into a musical offering unlike any I'd heard. I was inexplicably drawn to the drama and the heartache.nnLouise Montello points out, in her book, Essential Musical Intelligence, that I was drawn to those songs for a reason. They corresponded with how I was feelin
July 7, 2006
Article
What We Attract With Our Creative Choices
I used to be a jazz singer. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, they were wonderful and I strived to sing like they did. But no one impressed me as much as Billie Holiday. The tragedy and the talent meshed together into a musical offering unlike any I'd heard. I was inexplicably drawn to the drama and the heartache.nnLouise Montello points out, in her book, Essential Musical Intelligence, that I was drawn to those songs for a reason. They corresponded with how I was feeling about
July 6, 2006
Article
Self-Care Rules of the Road
Taking your creative work out on the road can be exciting. Seeing new places, meeting new people, and sharing your music with new audiences are all enticing prospects. nnnnReady to go? Not so fastâ¦nnJumping into a touring experience without planning ahead can lead you down a destructive path of poor routines and lifestyle habits. This path can negatively impact your self-care, not only while you're away, but also when you get home and you're trying to settle back into every
May 30, 2006
Article
Staying with It: Momentum Overcomes Procrastination
In a previous article I mentioned a new credo that I'm working to adopt into my life, and that's to "do one thing (at a time) and do it well".nnWhen I can focus my thoughts, efforts and energies on that ONE thing (at a time), I'm much more productive and I enjoy my work (or play, or learning) much more. - From "The Magic of Storytelling" by Linda Dessau.nnToday I'm going to discuss two phases of the creative process â inspiration and implementation â and how to maximize m
April 28, 2006
Article
Awakening the Senses
The "Sensazione" chapter of the book, "How to think like Leonardo da Vinci", by Michael Gelb, is dedicated to re-awakening and sharpening each of the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.nnAs artists, we get to play in the land of the senses as often as we allow ourselves to. And our gift to the world is that we help others to engage their senses through what we create.nnSo how is it that many of us, even artists, have ended up with our senses deadened? To fully
March 28, 2006
Article
Preparing for Performance
Stage fright can be an incredibly debilitating condition that can keep artists locked away in their own homes, carefully guarding their creative gifts. Then those gifts never see the light of day, and they're never seen by the world.nnAnd stage fright doesn't only inhibit performing artists. If you're not a performer, you can substitute the word performance with any creative situation that really scares you, or puts you in a position of feeling like you have to measure up or
March 27, 2006
Article
Preparing For Performance
Stage fright can be an incredibly debilitating condition that can keep artists locked away in their own homes, carefully guarding their creative gifts. Then those gifts never see the light of day, and they're never seen by the world. And stage fright doesn't only inhibit performing artists. If you're not a performer, you can substitute the word performance with any creative situation that really scares you, or puts you in a position of feeling like you have to measure up or g
March 1, 2006
Article
Top 10 Signs That You Need An Artist Retreat Day
Chances are, if you're a creative artist, you're longing for more time to create. Even when we're lucky enough to be surrounded by our art on a regular basis, there's always more we feel we could be doing. And for many of us, the idea of freely expressing our creativity â whether it's for one day or ANY day, feels like a far-away dream.nnWhat would you love most about having an Artist Retreat Day? For most of us it's the thought of getting away from our "normal routine", ha
February 24, 2006
Article
5 Steps to Accepting Compliments Graciously
Many creative artists are uncomfortable with praise and compliments. We can be so busy judging ourselves harshly that we don't quite know what to do with positive feedback.nnWe almost wish people would just "come out and say it," "it" being the negative thing that they're REALLY thinking, just to prove our negative self-perception.nnInstead, when we can learn how to embrace positive feedback and accept compliments graciously, we open up the door for more positive thoughts and
February 24, 2006
Article
5 Steps to Accepting Compliments Graciously
Many creative artists are uncomfortable with praise and compliments. We can be so busy judging ourselves harshly that we don't quite know what to do with positive feedback. nnWe almost wish people would just "come out and say it," "it" being the negative thing that they're REALLY thinking, just to prove our negative self-perception.nnInstead, when we can learn how to embrace positive feedback and accept compliments graciously, we open up the door for more positive thoughts an
January 25, 2006
Websites & resources
SelfGrowth-published websites, downloads, and contributor profile websites connected to this expert.
Website
You Talk It, I'll Write It
Do you talk more easily than you write? Partner with me and together we can get all of your great ideas down on paper.
September 23, 2007
Website
Genuine Coaching Services
Feel like your creativity is blocked? Visit this site for creativity and self-care resources for creative artists (musicians, artists and writers), including the free e-course, "Roadblocks to Creativity".rn
September 23, 2007