It's easy to get off track sometimes as you're going down this
creative road that you feel God has put you on.

And sometimes, we get sidetracked by things that seem good: promotion,
marketing, radio, distribution, publicity, social networking sites,
blogs, and other ideas and opportunities that present themselves as a
result of your using your talent.

And as we're busy doing all those things that we feel we HAVE to do to
be good stewards of our talent and ministry, we sometimes neglect the
care and feeding of the very talent we're supposed to use!

Time to fess up. I feel I have been guilty of this very thing my own
dang self.

When we moved our production business to Nashville years ago, it was
because I felt I could serve clients better and make stronger products
here in the very cradle of the Christian music industry.

And guess what, our projects went from good to GREAT. Before we knew
it, the new folks I was meeting here were suggesting I get in touch
with radio folks, distribution companies, publicists, and all sorts of
other people that might be interested in working with these amazing
music projects we were making. And guess what, they WERE interested.

We've been fortunate to see radio success, products in stores, and
artists names in trade magazines.

An entire new business was born for us at Creative Soul: The Artist
Services Business. Suddenly we not only made creative products, but we
were building artist ministries, and working after the creative
process to help market and promote them.

Guess what?

That's right. We got sidetracked.

We went squarely down the rabbit trail, deep and far. And it hasn't
been a bad ride. But the creative process is always what made Creative
Soul different.

Now, we have continued to make great music, websites, and design work
for clients, with some of our best work coming out this year! But I
can see the change that trying to be a "record label" or "marketing
service" has had on me personally, and it's not good.

Maybe you're in this situation too.

Like me, the reason you started all this "artist" nonsense in the
first place is because your creative soul spoke. Ideas appeared in
your brain, you prayed and God confirmed, and you made music.

No rules for radio, no "box" or lines you had to color inside, but
just plain old love of making art...for art's sake!

God smiled. You smiled. Everyone smiled.

Then you kept doing it, and people said, "Hey, you must be a
singer/artist/star, you better get up on stage and work it baby!"

To which you said, "OK, but don't call me baby."

Then the work of "being an artist" started. Phone calls for "gigs",
fights with yourself over how far to take this thing, the never ending
quest to serve and sing and lead and and go to the next level
(whatever THAT is).

One day you wake up between songs on stage and go, "Hey, what happened
to the fun creating part, and why am I dressed like this?"

So, here's what I'm going to do, and see if it helps you spark some
creative juices again!

A few years ago I read a great book I still refer to every client who
comes my way. It's called "The Path", by Laurie Beth Jones (Jesus
CEO). It's a very short read, but potent. It's focus is to help you
come up with a Mission Statement that helps define who you are and
what you want to do. No matter what comes along, the mission statement
is a short answer to remind yourself what your purpose and goals are.

Mine went like this: "To imagine, create, and produce amazing things."

Now to me that covers everything. Working hard to create a strong
marriage, amazing children, creative work...heck I even use it to plan
my vacations!

So let's go through it real quick.

Imagine.

If you have a project or idea, just go somewhere quiet, and imagine
what it could be. Don't plan yet. Don't use the "how" side of your
brain. Just use the "what if" side. What would be cool? What would be
amazing?

Let your imagination run wild with what it could be and visualize it
in your mind.

Today in a stunning "message-less" sermon, our Pastor challenged our
church to begin to think how we can grow to be a church that doesn't
think like a church but like a body of Christ. He said, "Think of
something that would seem impossible, but if you could do it would
change everything about your life."

Wow. Let that sink in.

If you could achieve something that you think to be impossible, could
it possibly totally redesign your existence?

Don't be afraid to think big. God will not be offended at any idea you
come up with!

Create.

OK, now that you have that amazing idea, let's put a plan together.
How do the pieces fit together?

What cool sounds, software, colors, people, processes, or pictures
could you use to make this vision come true?

Who cares if it takes someone other than you to do some of it, contact
them and gauge their interest. Find a way to make it happen.

Then, immerse yourself in the making of it. Play, paint, draw, sing,
program, ignore the outside world and all it's demands, and just create!!

(Isn't his more fun than emailing churches and sending out press packs?)

Produce.

Now, make that creation a real product. Get it out. Put it in people's
hands. Remember that feeling when you share a song, video, or visual
to someone and how it feels NOT to get their approval, but the pride
and satisfaction of just sharing what you made?

THAT is what I'm talking about.

And THAT is what I plan to do with and for my clients at Creative Soul.

We won't be abandoning or changing processes that much right now, but
you will start to see a different, original thought process in our
sites, our music, and private projects.

Creative Soul exists "To imagine, create, and produce amazing things."
It's more than a mission statement or motto. It's just what I wake up
every day to do.

Feel free to join me.

Have a great week!

EC
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Eric Copeland is a songwriter, arranger, producer, keyboard player,
synthesist, web designer, graphic artist, and basketball player. Not
necessarily in that order. His company, Creative Soul, is currently
rededicated to serving any client who only needs something....amazing.
> http://www.creativesoulonline.com