As a writer, the creative process is always on my mind. There are more than a few different models that provide a basis of understanding of the creative process, but I have gotten the most out of the one based on the Erickson College model, the life-coaching training program I attended a few years ago. Not only did it give me a way to look at my own creativity, but it has allowed me to identify what might be stopping me from moving forward and how to get around it.

To outline it simply, there are three stages a person must go through in order to realize something new in their lives. That something new could be as small as reading a book, as deliberate as setting and achieving a goal, or as big and challenging as starting their own business. What ever it is, the individual goes through the same stages:

Stage One: Dreaming. This is where we allow ourselves to come up with ideas and get excited about them.

Stage Two: Implementation. This is where we begin to act on the inspiration we've had. This is also the phase in which we most often begin to experience the challenges of trying something new and wonder if we really want to finish what we started.

Stage Three: Completion. Just like it's named, this is the phase where we finish and feel the satisfaction of what we've done.

Although each of us moves through these phases whether we're writing a book, starting a business or learning basket weaving, we do not move through them equally. For some, Dreaming is easy but Completion is a challenge. For others, just trying to think of one or two ideas for small things to do in their lives is the challenge, but once they get started there's no stopping them.

In fact, each phase of the process has questions to answer and road bumps to overcome before we can move forward. The more we know about each of these things, the easier it becomes to manage the areas in which we get stuck and enjoy the areas in which we thrive.

Think of a project or goal you've started recently. Where are you in the creative process, and what might be one thing that could help you move past a challenge you're experiencing, or make it just a little more satisfying for you? Write down whatever comes to mind.