Drama How It Zaps Creativity And Success

Drama occurs all around us. We don't think of ourselves as a drama queen or king. "isn't that a movie?" isn't that a neighbor, co-worker, friend, or in-law? For artists, drama contributes to their creative production. There is a darker side. One we don't want to admit to. At least not easily.

We add drama in order to make life or situations more interesting. Artists like to do this when their creativity is blocked. Drama adds fizz to imagination. We also create drama when we're bored or need to shelter our feelings.

Drama, thought of as a serious narrative for fiction, can also be serious emotional muck that zaps both creativity and success. Like quicksand, we don't know you're in it until you can't move your legs.

A friend, let’s name her Jane, phones and pulls you in with her BMW (bitch, moan and whine). She curls your ear about life not going according to her plan. You have just become stuck in her drama. You pat your foot and think about what else you could be doing. The critic justifies staying with: "She’s your friend. She listens to your BMW." Afterwards, your energy sags.

Drama is easier to see in other people, it is harder to see the muck we create for ourselves. Here is a process that will assist your awareness and propel you forward:

Step 1: Recognize when the drama is appearing or when it did appear. Do you drag yourself out of bed? That’s drama. Do you moan and groan about something? That’s drama. Our inner critic has a natural ability to ignite drama when you don't want to do something. Did you give an excuse for something? That’s drama. We're you late because you weren't sure you wanted to go? Drama! Excessive emotion is drama.

Step 2: Acknowledge the event as unnecessary. When you acknowledge it as unnecessary and you are in a dramatic moment, the shift begins.

Step 3: Identify what part, or whole, is "just" your part? Weed out the other players. See only your part. Decide: Are you going to continue or change it?

Step 4: Begin the transformation. Write or carefully think through what occurred. If you see the drama unfolding before you, and it includes other players, stop, don't continue just to save face. Once you decide to transform it, declare it out loud three times.

Let me share with you one of my changing events...

My fought my own thoughts as I moved down the isles. "Yes, I need these? No, I don't really need this?" Justifying with the great price. I stared at items without seeing as my thoughts fought. "Should I or shouldn't I." At the checkout counter, I couldn't let go of the items so the cashier could price and bag them. Slowly I let go.

When it came time to pay, I stopped, looked at her, and explained that I changed my mind. I apologized, slightly embarrassed. Not so surprised but delighted from my explanation, she said thank you, she learned something to. I said, "Me too."

I sat on the mall bench in disbelief for quite some time. It was one of those memorable moments. One I still remember very clearly today. It took time to process what occurred but I did see that my spending process changed significantly. It was one of my shifts in seeing my drama.

Step 5: Make a conscious choice to let it go.

Step 6: Take action. Talk with someone about it -- a friend, clergy, or coach. Just do it. If you prefer to write your way through the process, do it. Process it lovingly. For when you see the drama as if it’s a television soap opera "an out of body view" this particular drama behavior ends.

Step 7: Repeat this phrase three times: "And this has passed. I now move forward in joy and success."

Enjoy the less dramatic you and watch your new success unfold.

Your Assignment, If You Choose To Take This On

Make a list, 1-10. Close your eyes and revisit the last 24 hours. See where the drama occurred? What was your contribution? Was the drama getting the kids to go to bed? Did you procrastinate on something and then create drama to get you started? Write down even the smallest memory. Even the appearances you're not sure of. Choose one. Start with Step 1.

(c) Copyright 2005, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.



October 29, 2009
By Catherine Franz
Catherine Franz, is a syndicated marketing columnist, radio host, International speaker, and master business coach. http://www.abundancecenter.com Also available in audio.

Stage Drama

Let Your School Plays Have a Fully-packed Audience

Different Ways to Promote Your School Theater Play Successfully

For school plays, the usual suspects for your audience are friends, family, and schoolmates. But with all the hard work poured into your three-day theater performance, to fill up the theater seats to outsiders as well can be more rewarding.

Promotions for a theater production can be prolonged even after a theater show. This way, you can promote your concepts and build a following for other plays you have planned for succeeding years. By promoting through different kinds of print materials, like those offered in online websites like UPrinting, you maximize gathering an audience and documenting the success of the theater event.

1. Pre Promotions: For promotions before the big day, you can send out postcard invites to acquaintances, far relatives, and former schoolmates. A postcard campaign through direct mailing services can be one way to distribute your theater invites.

2. Post Promotions: After the event, you can use the Internet as a tool to promote your play. By adding excerpts from your play or a full length video, you get to document your play to another audience. This can also serve as a reference for some of the target audience who were not able to attend. Also, a brochure of some screen shots of your play can be a good tool for post production promotions just before the next school play begins. This way, you get to use your brochure for both the previous play and for pre promotions for your next school play.

3. Web Promotions: By joining social networking sites like Facebook.com and Twitter.com, you can post your ads for free and get a bunch of responses right away. Also, through blogging about excerpts of your school play, you can better spread and promote your invitations and your upcoming show.

By combining different strategies in promoting your school play, you get to strengthen your campaigns more and gain a much larger target market than expected.

(ArticlesBase ID #1047802)



September 23, 2009
By Kristine
Kristine is a content writer, with experience in the marketing and public relations industry. Currently, she resides in the Los Angeles, California working in the field of marketing.

Preparing for a Talent Show

Are you feeling the need to strut your stuff? Singing, dancing, and magic tricks are just a few of the talents often seen in talent shows. Many people find performing in local talent shows to be an excellent way to highlight their ability, get exposure for a budding career, or just have fun showing off their favorite hobby. Especially in recent years talent shows are getting national exposure with programs like American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and Rockstar SuperNova. These glorified talent shows are launching some pretty lucrative careers for their contestants and winners. Let's take a look at what you can do to get ready to take center stage.

It may be fairly obvious, but the first step is to decide which of your many talents you want to show in this particular show. Singing and dancing are always popular choices or you could perform using both talents. Magic tricks that are well performed are usually crowd pleasers with audiences and judges alike. It could be that your talents lie in a less obvious way. Poetry readings and story telling are both unique takes on what is perceived as a talent. Whichever talent you choose to showcase make sure you are comfortable performing it in front of an audience full of people.

The next step in your preparation is practice. That's it; just practice. In all seriousness, work up a routine you do well and are sure you can do without any major mishaps. This would also be the time to choose an outfit or ensemble that will compliment your talent. As critics of Janet Jackson would say, an outfit for dance should stay in its proper place. Odds are good that a wardrobe malfunction is the last thing you want while on stage. During this practice time, use friends and family as judges and for positive critiques. Hopefully they will care enough to be both truthful and kind. As members of your audience they know what they would like to see or hear. Be careful not to practice your routine to the point that you hate it and are tired of it. Boredom will show to the judges and audience when it comes time for the curtain to rise.

On show night it is a good idea to be present at the venue early. That way last minute scheduling changes won't take you by surprise. You will also have time to get acquainted with the stage and environment. If there was a dress rehearsal, this may not be as important. However being ready and prepared is vitally important to your debut success. This is also an excellent opportunity to get to know the other contestants and scope out the competition. After you have double-checked any equipment you may using and made sure your costume is ready, you can relax and wait for your moment to shine.

This is it. The moment of truth is at hand. Take a deep breath, relax, and get ready to make talent show history.

(ArticlesBase ID #59898)



September 9, 2009
By David Marc Fishman
David Marc Fishman has started a free talent show for all performers. Performers will be able to audition, and compete in the talent show. Performers/artists are able to setup their own sites and sell their own products.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/preparing-for-a-talent-show-59898.html