Cultural Creatives on Creativity

Hi Paige. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself, your business, and/or your passions.

I have a successful coaching business with my beautiful partner, Brian. We teach practical Spirituality through our Be It! Do It! Have It! System™, helping people transform their lives from mediocrity to waking up every day surrounded by people they adore, things they cherish and work they love. Our website is www.stapletonstark.com. We live on the stunning coast of Maine after living in NYC for many years.

Right now we are teaching our entire Be It! Do It! Have It! System™ in a 4-part teleseminar (which is recorded so folks can join in at anytime). We have more details at http://tinyurl.com/ch6zb5.

How did you get involved with writing an essay for Audacious Creativity?

I used to act with Stephanie Gunning years ago. We played lovers in my first play in New York City…naturally we became wonderful friends after that experience. She asked me to be part of her project and I was absolutely honored!

Share three interesting/crazy things about yourself.

1. – My family used to raise ostriches and llamas
2. – I was the female lead in a movie that sold in over 40 countries but never in the States – and no, it wasn’t porn!
3 – I have sung blues in most of the blues bars that no longer exist in NYC

What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

Left NYC and moved to Cincinnati to heal my relationship with my kids…and myself! It turned out GREAT!

Based upon the description of a cultural creative, do you feel you are one? If so, why?

Absolutely! But I think I kind of grew into it. Once I found my Spiritual Path, I realized who I really am, and I have never turned back!

What made you first want to become an artist, writer, a creator? Did you choose, or did it choose you?

For me, it all starting with singing – watching Julie Andrews and Barbra Streisand – I date myself . I was obsessed and drove my family crazy. I still sing today, but my passion grew into helping people understand and recognize the amazing gifts they have inside of them and support them in bringing them out into the world.

Does spirituality play an important role in the creative process for you? If so, how?

Spirituality is the foundation of everything I do. When I get up in the morning, I start physically creating, but I’ve been creating in my dreams all night long. I believe we are all like that – we are all always creating. When I consciously create, like with my music or my writing or even with my coaching, I always begin with remembering my connection to the Universe. Then, the possibilities are limitless!

What is your first memory of creating something you were proud of?

A 3-D collage I made for Girl Scouts. I cut a horse head out of fake fur – won 1st prize.

What three words best describe the feeling you get when your creativity is flowing.

Awe, surrender, ecstasy.

What sparks your creativity?

Usually music or a deep need to share

Putting your vision into the world can be scary. Many of us wonder if we’re good enough. How do you respond to negative self-talk? What tools do you use to help work beyond your self-doubt?

Good question! That very thing is a huge part of what we teach people at Stapleton Stark Coaching. One thing that works great for me is journaling, usually on paper that I can rip up or burn after I write out all the fears and self-limiting beliefs I have swirling around in my head. It’s so great to get them out of my psyche, out of my body. Then I burn them and let them float off into the nothingness. It is very powerful! Then I write out a slew of things that I know to be true, so I can stay grounded and connected to my own Truth.

How do you promote your work?

Social Networking mostly. We also put out a weekly ezine called Authentic Living…it is great fun to write and share!

Cultural Creatives tend to want their work to impact society in a positive way. Is changing/improving society with your work part of your goal? If yes, why and how?

That’s really the goal of all my work. Whether I am singing, writing or coaching, it raises my vibration, which allows me to help others to raise their vibration. It is a beautiful cycle, and I can’t think of a better way for me to contribute to my society.

Have you been able to earn a living while pursuing your creative passions? Is there anything from a business perspective that you feel has contributed to your success?

Yes! There are so many things that have been crucial to my success. Perhaps the biggest thing, other than trust, is redefining what a decision is. I used to think making a decision meant that I would try to do something and maybe it will work out, maybe it won’t. Now I define a decision as something I know is going to happen. No turning back, the only way it doesn’t happen is if I quit. It may not (and most likely will not) look like I think it will, but it will happen and it will happen even more beautifully and joyously than I ever could have imagined.

Thanks so much Paige for your very insightful answers.