The Creator’s Block

The Creator’s Block

If I had a dime for every time someone told me they have the intention but lack the motivation, confidence, or self-accountability to see a personal goal through, I’d be a very wealthy person.

We set goals because we have the desire to become a better version of ourselves. The sentiment is that if we want something badly enough, we will make it happen.??

So why is it that sometimes even the strongest, deepest desire is still not enough to help us get started??

It’s not for lack of sincerity or effort.?

What stands between us and the first steps toward our goals is positive reinforcement — both from ourselves and others. Let’s call this the Creator’s Block.

It's human to want validation for the things you tie to your self-worth. To seek a “Yes, you got this” from those that surround you. It's natural also to tie that back to how you see yourself, to getting started and to keep going.

But seeking extrinsic social validation inevitably leads you away from the very success you were setting out to achieve.?

Personal goals are personal for a reason. They tie to your innermost motivations.?

The only person empowered to understand and evaluate the success of your personal goals is you.??

Every other source of input has the potential to quickly become a distraction and keeps you from moving toward that goal.

If you find yourself caught in this holding pattern, here’s a simple framework to help you work your way out:

CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR YOURSELF.

When the people you love and trust tell you that you have a hidden talent you need to bring to the world, create a safe space to explore it privately. Paint that painting and put it up on your office wall behind your laptop where no one but you will see it. Write those stories with a promise that the only person who will read them is you — then put them away and read them after a week to see how you feel. Record that video with private access.

You must learn to be vulnerable with yourself before you’ll ever learn to be vulnerable with others.

By letting yourself be, doing what you love with no fear or anticipation of judgment, you create for the love of creating. When you do this enough times, you’ll slowly start to see the gift that others see in you. The only regret you’ll have looking back is inaction. So take those baby steps – the key is getting started. And once you do, you’ll realize how much joy you derive after which there’s no looking back.

FIND YOUR TRIBE.

When you set a goal for yourself, look for people who will encourage you to do it. One of the biggest mistakes we make is sharing our vision with the wrong audience and letting their voice have power. People can be generous with criticism, and while criticism isn’t a bad thing, it can be daunting and discouraging when you’ve only just managed to take your first steps. So find the community that will tell you to not give up. Find the cheerleaders that will encourage you to push through when the other demands on your time overwhelm you.?

You’re not looking for voices of approval because only your voice can offer that.? Instead, you’re looking for voices of encouragement. Remember, you get to decide whose voices have power in your journey.

CUT YOUR LOSSES IF IT DOESN’T WORK OUT. ?

The truth is, in all great things, we find perfection by trial and error.? Your zone of genius isn’t going to include everything.? So permit yourself to try something, even if it turns out not to be for you and cut your losses if it doesn’t work out.?

There are also things we all do where we don’t need or aren't seeking validation. Work we are skilled to do where we have long established credibility. Things we do to pay the bills. Things we do out of a sense of responsibility and duty. Things we do for people we love. If you are encountering Creator’s Block here, look a bit deeper because you may already have it implicitly or you may actually not really need it.

FIND YOUR ESCAPE VELOCITY.

Like a rocket building up momentum, it needs to break through the atmosphere, identify and lean into the things that compel you.?

Believing in your ability, deciding the risks are worth the payoff, investing in your passion, and surrounding yourself with a supportive community – these are the things that propel you past the “nevermind” ceiling that has kept you from achieving your goals in the past.?That’s your escape velocity. You’re ready to publish your first book. You’re ready to slay your podcast. You’re ready to launch your business. You know whose perception matters, and it’s all that matters.? Now there’s nothing in the way to hold you back.