Does this ever happen to you?
You have “something” you need to do.
A project, a job, a blog post, a painting, a song. But you haven’t started it yet. You’re thinking about it, but you haven’t done anything about it. It’s just a nagging thought poking at your consciousness, saying, “You know, you really should get off your keister and get this thang going!”
But the idea of starting feels so big, daunting, and demanding that you’d much rather spend some more time on Facebook or do your laundry. So, you put it off. You find other things to do that appear to be a lot more urgent… like changing the batteries in your TV remote or fixing that broken string on your guitar.
What IS this energy that keeps us from starting?
Whether it’s starting creative project, a job or that hour we set aside to practice or write or make those phone calls?
It’s called Resistance. And every creative genius has come up against it in one way or another. Sometimes, Resistance takes the form of excuses, like: not enough time, have to get groceries, I’m too tired now, etc. At other times, it takes the form of doubts, like: this won’t be any good, I’m not up to this, what’s the point?
Steven Pressfield knows all about Resistance. In his book, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles he describes Resistance in all its shapes and sizes so that we, too, might recognize it when it shows up. Pressfield sees Resistance as “evil,” a destructive, life-threatening enemy that must be fought at all costs.
While I deeply respect and appreciate Pressfield’s intention in writing this book, (and it is a “must read” for any creative artist or entrepreneur) I take issue with the premise that we must go to war against Resistance. Instead, I believe we are better served by identifying it, listening to its (false) argument, and then, diffusing it’s power. Because, in the end, Resistance is our own creation, not something created by some outside evil force. Therefore, we can choose to ignore it and create something that serves us, rather than holds us back.
Here’s a process by which you can diffuse your own Resistance and get that creative project started.
Acknowledge What You Believe
This past week, I had a sales page to write for a client. I hadn’t started it yet, and the deadline was getting closer and closer. This “not even started” state was weighing heavily on my mind and subtly draining away my creative energy. (It’s amazing how much energy an undone project can steal from you!)
While riding on a train to New Jersey (I was on the way to teach 2-hour workshop on online marketing and social media to a small class of recording industry students) this undone, unstarted project was on my mind… taunting me! So, rather than avoid its taunts, I took them on! I turned, faced them and said, “What’s this all about? Why are you such a big deal? Why don’t I want to start you?”
And this is what emerged. Three basic beliefs:
- It’s going to be hard.
- It’s going to take too much time.
- It’s going to suck.
As I acknowledged those beliefs, I found myself saying, almost out loud, “Wait a minute! Who’s in charge here? Who SAYS it’s going to be hard? Who says it’s going to take too much time? Who says it’s going to suck?”
Now, maybe I’m the only resistant, crazy one here, or it could be that you, too, have certain beliefs about your work, your creative process or your capabilities that are keeping you in the headlock of Resistance. Do you know what they are? It’s helpful to identify them because these beliefs are controlling your creative experience. They are telling you what to expect when you start any project.
So, turn and ask them to identify themselves. This act alone diminishes their mysterious power. And you can move on from a place of understanding… and even amusement.
Have It Your Way
Once you acknowledge the beliefs or thoughts that are causing your Resistance, let them go. As a shaman friend of mine likes to say, “Send them back to where they came from.” Then, sit back, close your eyes, and let yourself have the experience you want to have. Imagine how you want to feel when you start this creative project. Imagine how you want it to unfold.
While on the train, I sat back, closed my eyes and let myself have the creative experience I wanted to have when starting this sales page project. I felt myself sitting down at my desk, pen in hand, and allowing those first words to flow out onto the page. I felt what it was like to be in that calm but bubbly stream of creative flow. It felt great! I was having fun, enjoying the process. I saw myself finishing the first draft, amazed that it had taken only an hour or two.
Now, you may call this silly imagining and stupid fantasy. But if you take the time to feel your way into what you want to experience, rather than resist what you don’t want to experience, you actually soothe the Resistance. You enter into a different, more relaxed and happy state of mind where creative inspiration can actually reach you.
And now, when you do start your project, you won’t be squirming and resenting and resisting. You’ll be energetically ready.
I’ve never been a fan of the “just do it” commandment. While there are times when taking action is the only way to bust through Resistance and self-paralyzing thought, sometimes taking action BEFORE you soothe your Resistance just causes more (and even stronger) Resistance…. especially when it comes to creatively demanding tasks.
So first, soothe the resistance by acknowledging WHAT negative thoughts and beliefs are causing it in the first place, then create a different story by getting into the feeling of how you want it to be. See and feel yourself kicking creative butt, dancing with your Muse, being inspired, on fire, and letting it rip!
Ask for Help and Receive It
Whether or not you believe in God or Angels or Universal Power or TinkerBell, whether or not you have a positive working relationship with your Muse, go ahead and ask for Divine assistance. Ask for Divine guidance. Ask for inspiration. Ask That Power which you cannot yet name or might not even believe in, and then, get ready to receive what you asked for.
Ask, and then allow your creative process to be just as easy and sweet as you imagined it. Ask. and expect those words, notes, melodies, ideas, inspiration to come into you and move through you. Ask, and then let yourself be in a totally receptive state. Empty. Ready. Expectant.
Then, put pen to paper, brush to canvas, hands to the keyboard or strings, and let yourself have the flow and ease you imagined.
Bravo! You’ve started! You’re past that “hard to start” stage. You are in the flow!
As for my sales page….
The day following my train ride revelation, after confronting my own beliefs, rewriting my internal story and imagining my process being sweet, fun, effortless and fast, I sat down, and shut my eyes for a few seconds. I got back into that feeling, and I asked for Guidance. Then I opened my eyes, eagerly put pen to paper, and the words just came. I let myself play with them, knowing I could always change them later. I allowed myself to have fun and enjoy the simple act of writing.
Sometimes, starting is the hardest part of any project. But once you actually engaged enter into it, once you’ve started the relationship, so to speak, it has a way of pulling you back in. You’ve broken past that tough beginning, and you’re on your way.
What about you? Do you find it hard to get started? Is there something you’re struggling to start right now? If so, leave a comment here. Tell me what it is, and I’ll do my best to get your creative motor running!