117 – April 27
“Writing is like anything else. You fall, you pick yourself up, and you try again. When you’re discouraged, you eat ice cream.”—Anna Quindlen
It’s time to write now. I’m going to write. I stare at the blank page. Blank page. White. Snow. Weather. I wonder what the weather’s doing today. Cold. My hands are cold. Think I’ll go downstairs and get a cup of coffee to warm up my hands. Trudge, trudge down the rust carpeted steps, click, click, click my shoes tap on the kitchen tiles. Make coffee. Look around kitchen. Notice dishes and dirt—no fun, ignore. Notice newspaper—ahhh, maybe something interesting to write about in the newspaper. A good activity, research. Valuable. I’ll do that.
Thirty minutes later: Feeling too guilty to continue reading paper. I should be writing! Back to the stairs, click, click, back up the stairs trudge, trudge. Blank page.
The phone rings! Saved by the bell! Hello? No, thanks, I don’t want to change my long distance carrier. Disappointment. Phone in hand, I want to talk to somebody. Who’d be fun to talk to? I know, I’ll call my friend, Carol. Nope, she’s not home, how about Susan? Hey, Susan, how’s doin’?
Forty-five minutes later: Lunch time! Trudge, trudge, click, click. Look over refrigerator selections, put together fine luncheon for one, turn on the television, surf and munch.
One hour twenty minutes later: Click, click, trudge, trudge. Blank page.
I’ll never make any money this way! I’ve got to get busy and write so I can make money and pay my bills…I wonder how my bank balance is doing. Do I have enough to pay the bills this month? Oops, I haven’t reconciled my bank statement yet, better do that. Better update my budget, too, while I’m at it…Where is that bank statement? Somewhere under this pile of paperwork. I should do this paperwork. I’ve got to get organized, then I can write….
Two hours later: Blank page. Oh, it’s almost time for Oprah!
One hour later: Where did the day go? Well, I got some bookkeeping done, made some phone calls, did some research, got organized.
Tomorrow I’ll be ready to write.
Does this sound familiar? Does it accurately depict some of your afternoons—or days? Sure, once in a while, we’re going to have an off day, a day where no inspiration comes, where nothing works. One of two things is usually going on: You’re avoiding something, or you’re creating on the subconscious level instead of the conscious. If you’re avoiding something—look at it now and handle it. If your creativity is cooking subconsciously and needs more time before you take it out of the oven, give yourself a break. Inspiration will probably wake you up later. Be ready for it when it comes.
Today’s Affirmation:
“I am inspired by my creative vision every day!”
Once a month, I used to hold a Money Mastery Network mastermind group at my house. Composed of graduates of my Financial Stress Reduction® Workshops, they were all incredibly talented, smart, creative entrepreneurs as well as loving, kind, and caring friends. I ran this group for about 20 years, and people tended to stay for years at a time. Things changed when I started doing my workshops as teleclasses, and there weren’t enough local people to keep the in-person groups viable. (But then later I started them up again as tele-masterminds!)
Since I didn’t take more than 10 people, I always had a waiting list. One meeting, Lynne and Sandra were talking about how they waited for their space for a long time, and when the call came “there’s a space if you want it” they jumped at it.
Whoever was participating in the group at any particular time, it was always magical. The deep love and support we had for each other allowed each member to be completely authentic, share freely from the well of their creativity, work out problems, cry over tragedies, and get the most intelligent, loving feedback imaginable.
One member of our group, Lynne Azpeitia, is a psychotherapist and coach who specializes in working with gifted and creative adults www.gifted-adults.com. When she gave her feedback, we all listened intently because she’d point out to us certain behaviors we were exhibiting that are typical of gifted people.
For example, someone asked how you would go about finding a good networking group when there are so many. I responded, “Google ‘networking in Los Angeles’, see what shows up that looks interesting, and go to the meeting. While you’re there, watch how people behave, how you feel in the room and see if it’s a fit. Then look for the warmest, friendliest, happy, successful looking dolphin-type person at the meeting and ask them where else they network. Then go to those meetings.”
Everyone thought that was a great idea, and Lynne jumped in to tell me that was a great piece of advice and should go into an article or a book. As I made a note about it, she said, “That’s your genius, Chellie – these things just flow naturally from you. Gifted people aren’t always aware of the things they say and do that are special because it’s normal for them. They think everyone has ideas like that.”
I looked at her and laughed, “Lynne, what a brilliant marketing niche you have invented. All your clients get to feel like they are gifted, creative, and a genius! I sure love getting feedback like that.”
How do your clients feel about being a member of your community? If the answer isn’t “special”, “privileged” and “creative”, you might want to rethink your branding. My people are proud to be “Dolphins”.
