Meet Alan Voss

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alan Voss a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alan , so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever had any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
Writer’s Block is a self-fulfilling prophecy; a form of self sabotage if you will. If someone says “I have Writer’s Block”, they are in effect making a decision that is not theirs to make.

Human beings are unique when it comes to creativity but one thing that I firmly believe is that creativity comes from a place outside of ourselves and we are the vessel that filters the inspiration through our genetics and our individual experiences.

Whether you call the source of creativity God, The Universe, Collective Consciousness, etc., there is an endless well to draw from. Our bucket may have a hole in it, or maybe our rope snaps but the well is always abundant and accessible.

Inhibitions, self-criticism, analytical thinking, over-thinking, pride, ego, expectations, and mis-aligned motives among other things cause leaky buckets or snapped ropes.

It took me many years to find my creative flow. Flow is the key word. Just like a stream, creativity finds a way to the ocean. We must remove the dams of or ego, the debris of negative thought, and the pollutants of commercialization to allow the flow.

Self Care is key to perpetuating creative flow. Exercise, meditation, healthy eating habits, rest, and relaxation are all vital.

A change of creative space can be helpful for some. Travel can be inspiring. Time spent in nature, a new cafe, or a workspace with a view can open us up to new possibilities. I often use visual prompts such as photographs of paintings or sculpture as I practice or write on my instrument.

We must learn to ignore the Inner Critic, the little voice in our head that has nothing to do with creativity. The observer that informs us that we have “Writer’s Block”, or that we “aren’t any good”, or that “we’ll never get this done by the deadline”.

Just like a stream, I believe creativity has its rapids and its pools. We must continue self care when we find ourselves in a pool knowing that ideas will be flowing faster again soon. We must allow ourselves to dwell in stillness without self-judgement once in a while, fully believing that we will whisked away over the rapids when the time is right.

Lastly we must always remember that we are each unique in our DNA and our experiences and therefore each of us have something unique to offer the world. If we take care of ourselves, trust the process, stay open to the source of creativity, and remain vigilant about being true to ourselves then “Writer’s Block” becomes a distraction for the analytical side of our brain to focus on while our creative side keeps working!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a professional musician, composer and private lesson teacher based in Kansas City, Missouri.

I released my first album entitled Baobab in March of 2023 and I am currently working on material for my next release.

My goal is to put beauty into the world trusting that it will find it’s way to those that need it. The rat race of self promotion and content creation isn’t for me. I enjoy creating content as an expression but creating formulaic content in hopes of getting attention is exhausting and counterproductive.

Performing my music for active listeners in beautiful spaces is what inspires me. I love performing in art galleries, museums, beautiful outdoor spaces, house shows and theaters. I am a collector of experiences.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Perseverance, Gratitude, and Boundaries.

Perseverance: If you have a passion for something, work hard at it while remembering that you have every right to pursue it.

Gratitude: Practice Gratitude daily. Be grateful for waking up. Be grateful for the opportunity to pursue what you love. Be grateful for your tribe (be selective). Be grateful for wins and losses. Both have lessons to learn.

Boundaries: Guard your energy. Guard your intake ( nutrition, sights and sounds, social media etc.). Guard who has access to you and your time. Trust your gut. Your instincts are valid. Be a servant to others but not a slave.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Effortless Mastery – Kenny Werner. Our self worth is not tied to how well we create, material success or fame. There really is no destination, it’s the journey that matters.

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