Hi ,
I was listening to Good Hang with Amy Poehler this morning and she was interviewing Mike Schur (creator of all good shows including Parks and Rec). You know I love podcasts, and this one is basically the holy grail because I laugh through the whole thing AND I get these little nuggets of wisdom. This episode was
no exception.
It's especially cool when Amy talks to her co-workers because they all have the same philosophy that work should be fun and inspiring, not drain the life out of you. So as her and Mike were talking about their philosophy around this, he dropped this little nugged of wisdom: you can be in fight or flight mode, or you can be in creative mode, but you can't be in both.
I think maybe we all know this is true, but having it spelled out so clearly made it really sink in for me today. The idea that trying to force yourself to be inspired when you're under a lot of stress or pressure is a losing battle. That's not to say you can't do good work under those circumstances, and certainly sometimes we have to keep working, but the really great work likely comes from being in creative mode.
But how the actual f*%k do we do that when the world seems to be imploding and maybe your business is dragging down right along with it? I don't have all the answers, but two things come to mind for me.
The first is my friend and colleague
Susan
who last year encouraged me to
take a "winter" to regroup. A few days to let myself rest, not read/listen to more "information", but to be with myself and let my thoughts wander. After that "winter" I experienced a lovely "spring" full of creative energy and renewed inspiration.
The second is from a book I've never read (but I feel like I have) called The Artist's Way. The author, Julie Cameron, suggests
taking yourself on artist dates, essentially getting yourself out and surrounded by new or inspiring things. Maybe a museum or looking through a magazine you might not have picked up usually or going some place new. For me I like going to craft markets or hiking a new trail. I especially love taking in-person art classes, though that hasn't been possible for me for many years because of where I live, so virtual has had to suffice.
Sometimes a third way can be to surround yourself with people who help you grow and think outside the box. I say sometimes because I think you have to already be out of fight or flight mode for this to turn into creativity, but if you're feeling creative those people can help it soar.
I wonder if a fourth way could be to partner with someone who is in creative mode.
If you have an idea for a business or a new offer or initiative, I would love to help you get it launched. Not in years or months, but in days or weeks. I believe that we could have a few calls, work on it together, and get it out into the world in a beta launch very quickly if we work together. And believe me, I'll bring my creative mode. If you've got a project you're stuck on or too afraid to launch, maybe we should talk. (Just reply to this email).
In the meantime, enjoy a Good Hang with Amy Poehler to start moving you in the creative direction.
Have a fabulous day,
Stephanie Wasylyk
Your Business Guide
