The Power of Shifting Your Energy: Insights from Calvin Correli

Unleashing hidden potential through self-acceptance and inner work

Unhook Yourself from Negativity

You've heard the jargon: mindset, energy, vibration. But what does it really mean to "shift your energy"? According to my latest conversation with Calvin Correli—a guy who was literally strangled at birth and survived—this isn't just woo-woo nonsense. It's about transitioning into a state where the trivial dramas of life don't drag you down. Imagine drowning in emails, but somehow still swimming effortlessly, like some sort of office Michael Phelps. What if I told you, shifting your energy can get you there?

Calvin's journey started with unhooking himself from those nasty past experiences like getting bullied at school. Yep, school sucks for a lot of us, but you don’t have to let it define your future. Here’s how you can start:

1. Identify Your Triggers: Write down the thoughts that haunt you. Trust me, treating a journal like your therapist can work wonders.

2. Counter Your Inner Critic: Catch yourself in the act of negative self-talk and replace it with something kinder.

3. Visualize Your Higher Self: Picture a version of you that laughs in the face of your current problems. What does their day look like?

Embrace Your True Self

Let’s cut the BS—self-acceptance isn’t some kumbaya mantra you chant while holding crystals. It’s about looking in the mirror and not wincing. Calvin realized something sustainability-minded: you are your longest commitment. So why waste time criticizing yourself?

He emphasized the significance of embracing who you are. After all, if you can’t stand yourself, why should anyone else? Here’s how to put his words into action:

1. Daily Affirmations: Write a list of things you love about yourself. No, it’s not narcissism; it’s survival.

2. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Remove or limit interactions with energy vampires.

3. Celebrate Small Wins: Did you finally finish that ghastly report? Treat yourself. Your brain will thank you.

Business & Spirituality: A Match Made in Heaven

Calvin believes mixing business with spirituality is like adding peanut butter to chocolate—unconventional but heavenly. Entrepreneurs, in his view, can solve societal problems better when they fix their own mess first. He walks the talk by blending his entrepreneurial pursuits with spiritual growth, believing that business challenges often mirror personal hurdles.

If you’re an entrepreneur, here's a cheat sheet:

1. Align with Your Purpose: Make sure your business goals reflect your personal values.

2. Regular Self-Checks: Monitor both your emotional and business health. They’re more connected than you think.

3. Community Over Competition: Collaborate with others who share your holistic vision.

Injecting Joy & Love into Work

Calvin underscores the endearing importance of infusing love, joy, and a tiny bit of crazy into your work. Trust me, dry, impersonal work environments are passé—like fax machines and Blockbuster. He shared a moving story about reconnecting with his elementary school teacher, exemplifying the long-lasting impact of personal connections.

Want to bring some emotional zest into your professional life? Start here:

1. Personalize Your Workspace: Family photos, quirky desk toys, whatever floats your boat.

2. Express Appreciation: Ever thanked a colleague for their awesomeness? Do it.

3. Stay Playful: Find joy in what you do daily. Like Calvin did, maybe it's integrating something fun like a quirky team tradition.

Feeling Enough As You Are

Ah, the elusive quest for "enoughness." According to Calvin, always chasing external validation is like running on a hamster wheel. Sure, it burns calories, but it gets you nowhere. He emphasizes feeling "enough" and "complete" now—in this very moment.

Take these steps to slow down that darn wheel:

1. Mindfulness Practice: Five minutes of just being present can do wonders.

2. Gratitude Rituals: Start or end your day listing things you’re grateful for.

3. Enjoy the Journey: Learn to take pleasure in the process, not just the outcomes.

Transform Through Inner Work

To tie it all up, Calvin’s ultimate takeaway is that transformation isn’t just about climbing the corporate ladder—it’s about getting off it and planting your own tree. Yes, you heard me. Radical, but effective. Addressing internal struggles and rewriting your personal narrative can lead to a life that’s rich in far more than monetary terms.

So what’s your next move?

1. Dive Deep: Reflect on your life’s purpose.

2. Find Your Tribe: Connect with like-minded individuals who encourage personal and spiritual growth.

3. Start Small: Make minor, manageable tweaks and enjoy the shifts in your experience.

Remember, the power to conquer your self-doubts and elevate your energy lies within. So, go on—embrace your higher self, mix in a dash of spirituality, and, for heaven's sake, shower your work with love and joy. Life’s too short for anything else.

Listen to my conversation with Calvin Correli on Creative Chats episode 236.

The Secret Sauce to Confidence and Conquering Fear with Elisa Di Napoli

Small Moments Matter More Than You Think

Imagine that. Here we are, caught up in the frenzy of life, waiting for that blessed two-hour block to magically materialize so we can finally indulge our creative whims. Enter Elisa Di Napoli, the sage who flips this notion on its head. She champions the power of daily creative habits and the idea that small, consistent moments of creativity are the unsung heroes of artistic growth. “The daily grind is where the magic happens,” says Elisa. Waiting for perfect conditions? Well, you might as well wait for a unicorn to show up. Grab those tiny pockets of time—they’re gold!

Action Step: Start by sketching, writing, or noodling for just 5 minutes a day. Commit to this bite-sized ritual and watch how it removes the barrier of "I don't have enough time."

Building Your Creative Muscles

Ever wonder how professional athletes don’t just collapse into a heap after a triathlon? They build their muscles bit by bit. Elisa argues that creativity works the same way. Daily practice isn’t just a motivational poster quote—it’s essential training for your creative muscles. Skip the gym of your craft, and those muscles will go flabby real quick.

And hey, this isn't a sprint. Think of your daily creative sessions as regular dates with your muse. You’d be surprised how quickly these quickies add up, making you stronger, more imaginative, and yes, more resilient to creative blocks.

Action Step: Dedicate a specific time each day for your creative practice. The same way you wouldn't skip brushing your teeth, don't skip this. Stick to it religiously, and just like that, you've got a new habit.

Feedback: Your Best Frenemy

If feedback were a cocktail, it would be a double-edged sword with a twist of lemon. Elisa's recipe? Seek feedback sparingly and only from those you trust. She emphasizes that feedback is a tool, not a verdict. Rule number one is this: feedback should lift you, not toss you into a pit of despair. Rule number two? When in doubt, trust your gut.

But here’s the kicker—constructive feedback is your friend. It’s one thing for someone to say, “I don’t like it,” and another for them to say, “Here’s where I think it could be stronger.”

Action Step: Identify a few trusted individuals from whom you can seek feedback. Be specific about what kind of feedback you need—whether it's technical, emotional, or conceptual. And remember, not all feedback deserves a place in your brain.

Stage Fright and Performance Anxiety: Taming the Beast

Elisa openly discusses her battles with performance anxiety and stage fright, likening them to unruly house guests that just won't leave. The answer? Frequent exposure and some nifty tools like hypnotherapy. According to her, there’s a fine line between "good nerves" that energize you and "bad nerves" that paralyze you. Frequent performances and regular exposure to your feared situation can turn that scary monster into just another house mouse.

Action Step: Perform regularly in low-stakes situations. Record yourself, perform in front of friends or join a virtual open mic. The more you do it, the more normal it becomes.

Unlocking Flow: The Creative Nirvana

Ah, the elusive state of flow. It's like falling in love—hard to explain, but you know it when you feel it. Elisa emphasizes curiosity as the gateway to this mystical zone. Drop the judgment and just play. Being overly critical is a surefire way to slam the door on creativity.

Action Step: Engage in an activity that excites you and do it with a playful mindset. Drop any expectations and just dive into the joy of creating.

Intentional Spaces: Drawing the Line Between Work and Creation

Navigating between 'work mode' and 'creative mode' isn’t just a mental shift; it's a full-blown spatial transition. Elisa swears by distinct physical spaces and intentional rituals to make these transitions seamless. Different lighting, separate rooms, even specific music playlists can solidify the boundary between mundane work tasks and inspired artistic endeavors.

Action Step: Designate specific areas in your home for working and creating. Even a small change like different lighting or a particular scent can make a big difference.

The Hard Truth About Self-Worth and Creation

One of the most powerful takeaways from talking with Elisa is this: your creative output does not determine your self-worth. Putting too much self-value into a single piece can make every criticism feel like a personal attack. Create because you love it, not because you need validation from the world.

Action Step: Remind yourself regularly that your worth is not tied to your outputs. Engage in self-affirmation exercises and focus on the joy of the process, rather than the outcome.

Elisa Di Napoli’s insights serve as a treasure trove for anyone navigating the rocky terrains of creativity. So, the next time you’re waiting for that perfect two-hour block, maybe spend five minutes creating something instead. After all, in the world of creativity, consistency trumps perfection every single time.

Listen to Creative Chats episode 238 with Elisa Di Napoli.

The Art of Timing, Creativity, and Decks: A Conversation with Nick Kellett

Isn't it fascinating how the right idea can just light up the room? But here's the catch: timing is everything. So grab a coffee, settle in, and let's dive into a compelling convo with Nick Kellett—an inventor extraordinaire and one of the masterminds behind Deckible.

From Board Games to Big Ideas

Nick’s journey is a classic example of sticking to your guns. Picture this: A kid obsessed with board games grows up and gets his idea smacked down by an industry expert who couldn’t see a future in computer games. Ouch, right? But instead of tossing in the towel, Nick challenged the status quo and continued his quest.

Key Takeaway: Sometimes, expert opinions are just that—opinions. Stick to your path and prove them wrong.

Card Decks: The New Snackable Content

So, what’s the big deal with card decks? The world is shifting towards bite-sized, snackable content because, let's face it, attention spans are shrinking. Nick capitalized on this trend. Deckible brings the feel of card decks into the digital realm, offering multimedia, multi-sided cards and more. Imagine a card deck that includes audio, video, and even journaling capabilities. In a world crowded with Kindle books and Netflix, Deckible provides a refreshing alternative.

Actionable Step: If you're a creator, consider how you can break down your content into smaller, more digestible pieces. Platforms like Deckible can help you reach an audience that loves quick, engaging bites of information.

DIY Doesn’t Have to Mean Low Quality

Who needs a big company packaging your ideas when you’ve got tools like Canva and print-on-demand services? What’s magical about Deckible is that it democratizes creativity. Whether you're a visual artist, coach, or someone with a brilliant idea, you can create and distribute your own card decks without the logistics nightmare that sometimes comes with physical products.

Actionable Step: Start exploring DIY tools. They're easier to use than you might think, and they bring your creativity directly to your audience.

Deckible: A Platform for Everyone

Deckible isn't just for artists; it's a playground for all kinds of creators. You can use it to create lessons, coaching resources, or even Pop Culture-themed artwork collections. The best part? It’s free to get started, with paid decks offering more robust features and a 3-day free trial.

Actionable Step: Take advantage of free trials to see if platforms like Deckible work for your creative processes. You just might find that it revolutionizes how you share your work.

The Long Game: Patience Pays Off

Creating successful products often means playing the long game. Nick emphasized that many of his projects, including Deckible, evolved over a decade. Initial attempts usually barely resemble the final product.

Key Idea: Understand that what people see as 'overnight success' often has years of work behind it.

AI and the Future of Creativity

This wouldn’t be a modern day conversation without mentioning AI. Nick is excited about how AI is making creativity more accessible. It's about persistence, mastering your craft, and leveraging your creative freedom to bring your ideas into the world.

Actionable Step: Don’t shy away from using AI tools in your creative endeavors. These technologies can offer incredible support, from generating ideas to distributing your content. We’re not supporting AI replacing creativity, but rather learning how to use it as a tool for your creative process.

Final Thoughts

So, what's next for you? Whether you're a visual artist, a coach, or just someone with a killer idea, platforms like Deckible are worth exploring. They’re democratizing creativity by making it easy to share and monetize your work.

As a matter of fact, I have created three decks of my own that can be found here.

Remember, it's all about timing, continuous improvement, and never giving up even when the so-called experts can’t see your vision. Happy creating!

Listen to Part 1 & 2 of Creative Chats podcast with Nick Kellet, episodes 248 & 249, for more!