Can I put you on a brief "hold?” Are you stuck, or are you actually on a long “hold?”
When you last spoke with a customer service representative on the phone, at some point in the conversation, did they ask, “Can I put you on a brief hold?”
Oh so maddening...as there’s no such thing as a “brief hold.”
Being stuck: That’s one of the challenges that all creative people face, whether it’s writer’s block, or finishing the last six bars of the music you’re composing right now.
Here are two ways we put ourselves on hold.
Stuck = Can’t get started: “I have five passion projects that I want to do, but I can’t decide which one to do first. I’d really like to do each of them this year.”
You are literally stuck – there are so many bubbles of creativity going on in your mind, that you can’t “land” on one specific thing – even though you’re passionate about it. Maybe there’s a little bit of insecurity as to whether you’re up to the creative task…but not necessarily.
On hold = Paralyzed: You have excellent ideas and ambitions. “I have so many good ideas that I believe in 100%, but I can’t get up the inspiration to get started.”
“The antidote to paralyses is action. It is simply impossible to be active and paralyzed at the same time.” (Wayne Dyer)
Some psychologists instruct depressed patients, who can’t get out of bed in the morning, to put their slippers by the side of their bed when they go to sleep at night. When they wake up, all they have to do is put their slippers on. That’s a start, even if they don’t do anything else. They can build slowly from there.
Starting…simply starting…is our first step too.
The brain is the most brilliant computer and organizer of all. Once you start, you’re on your way. I know it sounds simple, or too good to be true, but things tend to automatically fall into place once you start. You’ll even receive new creative ideas along the way to guide you through to completion.
“I have five passion projects that I want to do, but I can’t decide which one to do first. I’d really like to do each of them this year.”
In my most warm, kind and cordial voice, I would say…you have to pick one.
Since you love each of your passion projects, just pick one for now. You may find out shortly at the beginning of the process, that your heart really isn’t in to this project at this time. That’s okay – you caught yourself in time.
Pick a different project. Start.
What I’m suggesting is both simple and hard. But always know that there are ramifications for standing still.
25 years ago, I knew was friends with the most interesting and talented person. They were seriously interested in nursing, K – 5 teaching, bartending, massage therapy and producing and hosting a singer-songwriter radio program.
They couldn’t decide what to do, or how to start.
They were stuck, but actually they were paralyzed.
“Just start with one of those interests,” I suggested. “Try it for three months, and see if it’s right for you. You’ll probably know before three months are over if you made a good choice. If it wasn’t the right choice, you’ll know that too, and you won’t have made too big of a time or emotional commitment.”
Then, pick one of your other passion projects, and just start.
I know. Easier said than done. That friend of mine is now the Office Manager at her father-in-law’s life insurance firm. Running an office and operations has always been one of their impressive skills, but it was never their passion.
On hold = Paralyzed: You have excellent ideas and ambitions. “I have so many good ideas that I believe in, but I can’t get up the inspiration to get them started.”
Could it be possible that these ideas and ambitions aren’t truly what you want? It’s a difficult but reasonable question. I’m not a psychologist, but is it fear of failure or lack of self confidence?
Just curious: How much time do you spend online. Do you frequently “post,” “share” or “retweet?”
One talented artist I know posts, “shares” and retweets all day long. Their career is almost in a state of “on hold.”
I’m sorry, but I don’t know what else to say except this.
The work you’re doing is important. People, the world, will miss it if you don’t create it.
Please get in touch me if you want to get “unstuck,” or taken off of “hold” as soon as possible. No fee. Just conversation.
