Got back in town last night from a quick trip down to Orlando to speak at the Exponential Conference. Had a blast meeting tons of new friends and even got the incredible opportunity to attend my first Cirque Du Soleil as the guest of my friends Maurilio and Shannon. Holy cow that was amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it.
Back at the beginning of the year I wrote a post about how to get the creative juices flowing. Part of what I talked about was the importance of not looking at your creative slump as “writers block” or a “creative block.”
Anne Lamott
“The word block suggests that you are constipated or stuck, when the truth is that you’re empty.”
“Stuck” suggests that you need to try harder.
“Empty” prompts you to fill up.
Understanding my creative slump as the result of being empty gives me the permission to engage in the activities that fill me up.
I can’t even begin to tell you all the creative ideas I’ve had since watching that show last night. It really filled me up. If you’ve never been you’ve got to check it out sometime.
It takes everything you enjoyed about the circus as kid and presents it in a mature, but unbelievably entertaining way. I’ve never wanted to be a part of the circus more than today! 
So here’s a fun “all skate” question for the day: If you could be a part of the circus which act would you most want to perform?
Me? I want to get shot out of the cannon.
Hands down the trapeze.
That’s my second fav.
I’m assuming it takes a less than sane person…kind of church planting.
I love Cirque shows. Amazingly, they turn out to be a spiritual experience for me. I’m always so amazed at God’s creation and the ability he gives us. Even the last show I went which suggested that God is not the creator of life, it clearly spoke to his creation. Amazing!
I felt the same way, was speechless!
I’d say the trapeze or tightrope – it would have to be something adventurous!
I’d have to say bearded lady. Being that I am not a lady I think that would take some creative thoughts to make happen. Haha. Heard you rocked it at Exponential. Prayed for you today bro. Much love.
Why does that not surprise me about you.
I would definitely be on the trapeze (always wanted to do that as a little girl). I am sure at least one of the boys would be on a motorcycle doing circles inside that cage. That is always one of their favorites to watch.
I guess I would have to say the Trapeze also!! Thanks for the post Pete…sort of running on empty right now, great encouragement!
Trapeze! Or anything that doesn’t have to do with animals that could eat me if they felt like it.
The clown troop- creativity in a uniform that gives almost total freedom!
Ha!
I would like to be the one standing on the elephant.( love them).
Well if I had to be a performer I would totally be an acrobat, but truthfully I’d much rather be the artistic director or produce the live show…now that would rock!
Everyone loves the daredevil right? How about Evil Knievel? Or maybe the human cannonball?
Plus, I’ve often found that some of my most creative and productive times have been away from my home turf. I guess a change of perspective and scenery is always a creative catalyst!
*ps: I got to see Cirque’s ‘Mystere’ while working at Central in Vegas 10 years ago. Words cannot describe what happened. Phenomenal performance/experience.
You’re spot on Rob.
Sword-swallower or fire-eater. Doctor, does this mean I have an oral fixation?
Trapeze, but only so I can jump up an down on the net. They always get some pretty good air.
Thanks for pointing this out. Nearly every idea I have to write about comes from something else. The idea usually derives from something I have read or from a conversation I had with someone. If I become too busy with work, the ideas stop as well.
I would love to be the clown.
oh to have the courage to drive a motorcycle in that cage! talk about adrenalin!
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen “LOVE”, the Beatles Cirque Du Soleil show, but THAT is the only circus act I could see myself in. I don’t know which “role” I would play, but I know it would be awesome!
Love your perspective on creative slumps! Thanks Pete!