What's Stopping You?

5/31/2014

Being creative always means taking a risk. It's not safe because you never know how things will turn out. If you keep blaming others, you'll eventually run out of time. It may not make you wealthy, but the accomplishment feels good. It might not be perfect, but what is?

I ran into an old friend who recently started producing interesting, unique art from his desert hikes. I never knew him to be an artist. He said, "I wish I'd started earlier, younger. Expressing yourself is… amazing." So what's stopping us?

I took a class (online) a few years ago from author Holly Lisle who pegged four main obstacles that block creativity. This has always stuck with me because at any given time, I relate to all of them. Oh yeah, Chief Procrastinator. That's me!

Safe - never starts. The "Someday I'm going to . . . " person. When am I going to write that Big Idea Book that the world is waiting for? As soon as I navigate this wall of Saguaros.
Uh, how about NOW?

Victim - never acts. "I can't because of. . . " kids, parents, job, a coyote stole my notes - all legit, but it's really about desire. How badly do I really want to do it? Yeah, I really, really do.
Really? Prove it. Make time for it.

Feel - never thinks. The "I'm not in the mood..." Or "I'm not feeling it today." Oh yeah, Baby. That's Moi. The writers who really produce go to work at it every day. Every. Day. BIC HOK – feel that. (for non-writers, that's Butt In Chair, Hands On Keys)

Perfect - never finishes. That would be Moi, the English teacher, the t-crosser & i-dotter, even on 1st draft, the "it isn't finished until I say it's done" person. And even then... doubts.

Note to self: Get over it and get on with it. No excuses, no whining. Make it the best thing in the world to do right now. Take the risk. Be Unstoppable.

What about you? What's stopping you?

(Coyote Medicine by Don Carter, artist extraordinaire who is Unstoppable!)

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