Have you ever felt paralyzed by perfection?
Stuck in analysis paralysis, overthinking every little detail until you've talked yourself out of taking action? Yeah, me too. But this week, something shifted!
Instead of obsessing over making things perfect, I committed to making progress.
It was an eye-opening experience that led me to adopt a new mindset - the power of "why not?"
For too long, we've been bombarded with messaging around "why you should" do this or that. Follow the rules, color inside the lines, don't rock the boat. But where has that gotten us? Stuck in mediocrity, playing it safe.
It's time to flip the script. This week, I stopped asking "why?" and started asking "why not?"
Why not take that risk? Why not chase that crazy dream? Why not let your voice be heard?
You see, in our community, we believe in empowering each other. We share resources, amplify voices, and lead by example. And this week's lesson? Leading by example means having the courage to do what others won't.
Why not be the one who steps out of your comfort zone? Why not be the catalyst for change in your community? After all, if not you, then who?
I'm not saying it will be easy. Embracing the "why not" mindset means leaving perfectionism behind. It means taking messy action and learning as you go. But isn't that better than being stuck, paralyzed by your own self-doubt?
So today, I'm inviting you to join me on a 5-step journey to unlocking the power of "why not?" It's a process that helped me finally make progress this week, and I can't wait to share it with you.
Forget "why you should" - that's society's script. It's time to re-write the story and embrace "why not?"
Who's in?
Step 1: Rediscover Your Original Agenda
Before we go any further, I want you to take a moment and reflect on why you started this creative journey in the first place.
- What were your original motivations and goals?
- Write them down, and then share them with the group.
- Let's reignite that passion and remind ourselves of the fire that fueled us from the beginning.
Step 2: Identify Your Distractions
Alright, now that we've reconnected with our original agendas, let's talk about the distractions that have been holding us back. Self-doubt, comparison, fear of failure, external pressures – we've all been there.
- Take a few minutes to write down the distractions that have been keeping you from your full potential. Don't hold back – this is a safe space.
- Once you've got your list, let's discuss strategies for overcoming these distractions together.
Step 3: Redefine Progress
Progress isn't always linear, and it can come in many forms.
Let's talk about how we can redefine what progress looks like for us as creatives.
- Share your experiences with tracking progress – whether it's through goal-setting, journaling, or visual representations.
- What has worked for you? What hasn't?
- Let's learn from each other and find new ways to celebrate our wins, no matter how small.
Step 4: Embrace the Discomfort of "No"
Rejection and setbacks are inevitable in the creative world, but they don't have to define us. In fact, they can be powerful learning experiences if we approach them with the right mindset.
- Who's been through a tough rejection or setback recently?
- Share your story with the group, and let's discuss how we can reframe these experiences as opportunities for growth and resilience.
Step 5: Prioritize Discipline
Discipline is the secret sauce that separates dreamers from doers. The importance of consistent practice, time management, and prioritization will be your north star.
- What are your biggest challenges when it comes to discipline?
Next Steps: The "To Don't List"
There is a POWERFUL tool for prioritization and focus: the "To Don't List."
Instead of focusing on what you should do this week, this list is all about identifying the non-essential tasks and commitments that you need to let go of or minimize.
- Take a few minutes to create your own "To Don't List," and then share it with the group. We can all learn from each other's experiences and perspectives.