Create and Implement: Sounds simple. And it’s the heart of the matter, isn’t it? If you are a visionary author, writer, messenger, thought leader, or conscious creator with a mission to heal, the idea is to get the work (and its healing results) out there into the world, to start serving the people you came here to serve.
I just read a review for a creativity process book over at Amazon, and there are now comments on the comments. One of those subcomments really struck home. Do these creativity process books help you take action on making your art (whatever it may be)? Or does the process lull you into endless loops of reflecting on the process?
It’s a fine line, I think. Because the inner journey, as discussed in prior posts, is important to building a strong foundation for the outer expression of your work and gifts and greatness in the world. But at a certain point, it’s time to just do the work, to build the house, write the book, call the clients. How can you use these “process” approaches to launch you into the doing of the actual work (art) you came here to do (make) — and not as an excuse for endless procrastination and preparation?
Note to self: Is this a potential danger of the Write Synergies Path work that I am creating? How may I structure this “process” so it’s more about moving my people forward with doing whatever is the important work/art/creation/venture? How do I prevent myself and others from falling into the thrall of something completely impractical and tail-chasing as an excuse to avoid the work of creating? How can I make sure there is practical traction?
My personal challenge IS in doing my “own work,” whatever that may look like. It looked for a time like poetry. And for time it looked a lot like collage/assemblage. Then photography. Now it seems to want to shape itself into a book. Or several. And collaborating with visionary thought leader clients to support and mentor them in creating their most important writing projects.
This post, “create and implement,” is really all about encouraging you in the doing of your work. To do full justice to “create and implement,” it really calls for more detail than a single blog post here.
You ask, “Do I just start creating?” Yes. Sometimes you just start. Sometimes, instead, the creation “starts” you–its call is so persistent that it seeps out of your pores and your pen or across the keyboard without your even being full aware of it. This is the luscious process of what I call “divine dictation.” Something comes out, flows out the pen and onto the page. I know I wrote it, but I don’t have a clue where it came from. These are the moments of the gift. It’s important to grab the gift moments, treasure them, and build on them. They are the gold.
Then there are the other moments, when the engine is cold and it’s tough to start. These are the times when the “Just do it,” motto comes in handy. Times that call for the admonishment to be willing to write what Anne Lamott calls, the “shitty first draft.” Get something out there. Pen to paper even when you don’t really “feel like it.” (And here, a perfect time for acknowledging the gift of the 30 day blog challenge, to get stuff done and out in spite of resistance, procrastination. So thanks #blog30 community!)
Remember: It’s a stronger house with a foundation, and it’s a stronger creation when it has the grounding and foundation of having done the inner work first, tapping into the vision and building on your authenticity, gifts, and greatness.
Be grateful for the gifts and moments of golden flow. But keep on writing (creating) anyway, even if you feel like you are plugging along up a steep incline. Think of the view when you get to the top. Just make sure you are climbing the right mountain!
Bobbye
You are so in tune with the sound I’m hearing. I just completed a post on what it takes to consistently implement to move toward the goal.
Time to start training ourselves to develop a specific character and pattern of action.
That’s the path to success.
Vernon, I love how you express it, “time to start training ourselves to develop a specific character and pattern of action.” Thanks. So glad to be in the blogging challenge with you.
Great post. I’ve had a few articles in this #blog30 flow out fast. Sweet! Other times I spend all day getting ready. When I get an idea for a new post, it’s such a relief. Suddenly the day picks up all kinds of energy.
Wish I’d create a list of titles ahead of time like someone smart!
Karen,
It’s wonderful when the words flow. Yes, the day seems very different from that perspective. And I’ve saved up content for years and years, so I just need to get it out there, and this blogging challenge was a powerful motivating force. Plus all the great people to talk to! Thank you.
So many thoughts! So many angles! So many ways to tap into your work and get it out there!
For me, I know I spend too much time “getting ready to get ready”.
I’m celebrating the 30-day blogging challenge right along with you, Bobbye. It has provided me the “omph” and the drive to just “do it”. So I guess I’d have to say that having an incentive plan is working best for me.
It may sound dry to others but having a concrete “something” with a definitive deadline has been a great lesson for me.
Write On!
Melanie
(#blgo30)
Melanie,
I totally relate to the “getting ready to get ready.” (and it’s usually a close cousin to perfectionism)
Thanks for being an enthusiastic part of the community.
Deb, With all the writing challenges going on, who has time for procrastination? Yes, if you just sit at the blank page and write whatever junky stuff comes to mind, it starts the ideas flowing.
Hi Bobbye,
Just gotta love those golden times when the creative juices are flowing and so persistently you couldn’t stop if you wanted to… the other times, when the words just don’t come and you’re staring at a blank page, well… those aren’t so good.
But you’re right. Write anything that comes to mind for a while. Somehow that works to get past the struggle and back on track.
Thanks for the reminder. I’ve actually been procrastinating today when I should be writing. LOL.