Joey O'Connor's Blog, page 14

Awakening the Artist Within You

One of my life goals is to help awaken the Artist within every person I meet. That doesn’t mean every person will become a gifted musician, filmmaker, writer or painter. But it just may awaken their imagination, creativity and curiosity to see how they can apply “artistry” to any endeavor or challenge they face. When people understand that they are made in God’s creative image and that they share His creative nature, whole new worlds of possibility emerge. I posted these thoughts earlier this...

What is Your Next Big Challenge?

When was the last time you asked yourself, “What is my next big challenge?” Yes, I mean a BIG challenge. Something that will push you. Test you. Something arduous and demanding that will shove you way out of your comfort zone.

Your next big challenge will require you to go much farther than you think you can go. Like all daunting tests, it will demand all of you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I certainly know what my next big challenge is. It is big and daunting. Looming...

The 3 Buckets of Creative Cultivation

I recently met with an artist facing a creative challenge. She wanted to take creative risks with her painting and she shared a familiar story. It’s a story I hear from many artists who want to take their creative work to a next level, but wrestle with confusion about how to make that leap.

As we talked spoke, three themes began to emerge. They’re what I call “The 3 Buckets of Creative Cultivation.” Each bucket is a part of the creative process. Understanding how these buckets relate to one a...

3 Steps for Overcoming Creative Resistance

If you’re an artist, you’re going to face inner creative battles and resistance. We’re talking headwind, hardship and heartache. It’s part of the territory of living out on the wide plains of the creative open range. If you’re not an artist, but you just want to lose five pounds. Or resolve a conflict with a family member or co-worker. Or you want to plan a dream vacation. Whatever goal, ideal, challenge, or creative endeavor you set your sights on pursuing, you can count on this: You are goi...

Recklessly Abandon Yourself to God’s Good Care: Artist Interview with Shane Tucker

I love Shane Tucker’s challenge for artists to “recklessly abandon themselves to God’s good care.” Wow…and that was just in the first three minutes of my conversation with him. Shane Tucker is an artist and pastor who serves other artists and creatives in the Nashville area. In this Art, Life & Faith artist interview, I think you’ll be encouraged by what Shane has to say about spiritual identity, artistry, creativity, ministry, the Church and culture. Shane is a part of an innovative mission...

3 Steps to Overcoming Perfectionism: The Ultimate Creativity Killer

Perfectionism is the ultimate creativity killer. Its roots, to name a few, are fear, insecurity, control, and shame that walks a thread-bare tightrope between the chasms of avoiding pain and fear of rejection. Perfectionism stalls projects. It divides people and creative teams. It increases tentativeness, uncertainty, and doubt. I said it’s a creativity killer, didn’t I?

Perfectionism stands in stark contrast to artistic excellence, integrity and wholeness. Not only has it stifled kid’s creat...

Introducing Creative Coaching & Mentoring

Ever since I was young boy, I’ve had many, many coaches and mentors. Little league coaches. Volleyball coaches. My dad as a coach and mentor. Teachers, counselors and professors. Writing coaches. Ministry mentors. Coaches and mentors who’ve become personal friends. And personal friends who’ve coached and mentored me in many aspects of my life. If there is one word that summarizes the role of these important people in my life, it is this: Cultivate.

Each one of these coaches and mentored played...

3 Key Qualities of Every Olympic Athlete

Like many of you, I have loved watching theOlympic athletes compete in London. My family and I have viewed more television in the past two weeks than the entire year. Staying up to midnight, watching the Olympics has completely messed up my sleeping schedule. (Not a good thing as I train for my first Half-Ironman.)

Whether it’s beach volleyball, gymnastics, diving, track & field, badminton…you name the sport, what makes the Olympics so inspirational to me are three key qualities I see in every...

A Wedding and A Funeral

I hope you’re having a great summer! Now it’s my family’s turn! I’ll be on vacation and off the grid for the next eight days. I wanted to leave you with one of the most popular posts that I wrote last year. It struck a nerve with many people who read it. I’d love your thoughts too. It’s about Kelly my niece, her wedding and some things I learned after attending a wedding and a funeral. Here’s a happy little ending…Kelly and Nick have been married for almost a year now…and they’re now expectin...

3 Key Questions to Ask Your Creative Team

Asking your creative team a few key questions may just be what they need to inspire greater personal fulfillment and more meaningful work. If you want to build leadership, inspire your team to greatness, and create healthy working relationships, you need to ask great questions.

In my conversations with artists and creatives, if there is one familiar theme I hear, it is this: “I am so focused on my work, I don’t have time to pursue creative projects I really want to pursue.” Ironic, isn’t it?...