photo by lomoa
How to Focus Your Ideas series:
1. Series Introduction
2. Idea Dumps: Letting It All Hang Out
3. Navigating the Idea Dump
4. A Hefty Dose of Moxie
This last segment of the “How to Focus Your Ideas” series is technique-free. Honestly, I’m much more comfortable speaking in abstracts and striving to understand the elusive “big picture,” rather than talking systems. It was really fun to dissect my brainstorming process and frame it for other people to try out, but like I said — I’m still figuring it out myself.
The process of writing those two posts pushed me to explore the balance between creativity and organization. The classic right brain / left brain battle. Your comments, which both challenged and agreed with me, reinforced my notion that “effective” and “productive” are both so subjective. As many of you pointed out, you do what works for you.
This final post is about what it means to open the floodgates. Often, it’s not coming up with ideas that presents the problem — it’s taking them seriously, and plunging in. If you have a hard time grabbing hold of those ideas and taking them seriously, hopefully the first two posts were helpful.
Opening the floodgates can be scary. You have this idea you’re getting excited about, you’ve nudged it along a bit and even honed it into a sharp little beam of light. As long as you give that idea refuge inside you, it will remain sheltered and unstained. But the moment you expose it to the grit and sweat of skin, the moment it passes through your lips and fingers, you are vulnerable.
I’ll be the first to admit: I have yet to develop a flawless connection between thought and action. Sometimes the link is smooth, and I don’t wait long before allowing certain ideas to emerge. Writing blog posts, for example, has been a powerful way for me to accept that vulnerability — to let those thoughts be stained with sweat and grit, not only from my skin, but from every other person who brushes past my words.
But when I have big, broad ideas, like the ones I’ve been trying to focus, it’s easy to get attached to the exhilaration and the hope to create something as wonderful as I’ve imagined. I’ve done the idea dump, I’ve navigated the idea dump, but what if my idea can’t cut it out in the wilderness? What if it disintegrates as soon as I stick my toes out the door?
You see what I’m getting at. If you just keep planning, pondering, mapping, and tidying, you can’t fail. Your ideas are kept pristine in your little sanctuary. But if you take a step past all that brainstorming and focusing, you might find a small fracture in your idea. You might even see a shatter, a rupture, or an explosion. It makes you anxious to think about such awful things happening to your beloved idea, so you fall back onto the easy, cushy solution: keep it inside.
A Sappy Aside
I’m going to get uncharacteristically personal (er, sappy?) for a moment. My first serious relationship was with a guy we shall call Evan. Evan and I were together for nine months (no, this has nothing to do with unplanned pregnancy), and then he lied to me. A big, awful lie that was covered with a smaller, awful lie, and on and on, until I was completely drained of any trust for him. For the next couple years, I pushed down my penchant for openness and trust and went straight for the guys who I knew I couldn’t trust. Why? If I didn’t bother opening up to trust them in the first place, I didn’t risk getting hurt. It’s a simple game, and many of us have played it.
But after a couple years, it got really boring. Sure, I wasn’t getting hurt, but I wasn’t getting anything marvelous either. I was resigning to romantic mediocrity, all in the interest of warding off possible stains, shatters, or blows. I eventually admitted to myself that most worthwhile things require risk. Because when you’re playing around with something you hold dear (like your own feelings, for example), every move is a risk, big or small. Since that epiphany, I’ve cried over lovers, I’ve been frightened, and I’ve been separated. But I’ve also been elated, spilled out my pretty little heart, and I’m currently goofy happy.
Now, that little dose of sappiness was a small example of what I guess you could call my “life philosophy.” But I’d rather you didn’t, because that sounds a bit lofty for my tastes.
Here goes: Unless you are perfectly content with the monotony of a stable, hum-drum existence, OPEN THE FLOODGATES.
Whatever that thing is that gets you kinda-nervous-kinda-excited-but-mostly-crapping-your-pants, you should probably do it. [Disclaimer: I write these articles in good faith, under the honest assumption that my readers are not prone to desperate, brainless, or just plain dumb actions. If "that thing" is riding a motorcycle with your feet, you probably shouldn't "just do it."].
What’s “That Thing”?
“That thing” might be a really big step, or it might be something that seems like no big deal when you tell your friends. Anything.
It could be:
Sending an e-mail to that guy you used to work with re: your zany and brilliant idea.
Sitting alone for eleven hours straight to write the first chapter of your novel.
Paying for that gym membership so you can’t afford not to go.
Telling your family that you’re going freelance.
Filling out a grant application for that really big idea.
Whatever it is, go pencil in a block of time and do it. The big secret is that failure doesn’t mean you blew it. It doesn’t mean irreversible, mortifying catastrophe. It means you’ll have to try a different way, or three more times, or maybe a whole new idea. Of course, these steps I’m talking about should be viable — not shoveling your entire life savings into the next make-money-online scheme. It’ll probably take a lot of nerve, guts, cojones, moxie — whatever you wanna call all that good stuff — and if that’s not your style, please give it a shot just this once. Even on an itty bitty part of that big fat idea.
This brings to mind the GTD practice of immediately acting on whatever can be done in two minutes. Except that I’m not limiting you to two minutes. But the idea is the same — just get the ball rolling, launch into gear, get cracking… whichever tired old saying you prefer. Don’t settle into that hum-drum existence just because it’s safe. Go somewhere new.
So, where are you going?
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this -
“The big secret is that failure doesn’t mean you blew it. It doesn’t mean irreversible, mortifying catastrophe. It means you’ll have to try a different way, or three more times, or maybe a whole new idea.”
It reminds me of a Truman Capote quote that says, “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.”
Glad we could have the pleasure of getting to know you that past two weeks!
Hi, Zoe~
Another good post, and good to see that you are comfortable enough with yourself to allow the reader to see a bit of who you are personally.
I find your thoughts to be a bit mercurial, but that is probably just me. I have commented on this before. The first few posts had me sitting in a seminar listening to the latest greatest organizer. Then, when you became more comfortable with what you were doing, you opened up to the point where today, it is “opening the flood gates.” I don’t know how you see that, Zoe. I see it as progress, and good progress at that.
We must live our lives in moderation. We have to know when to carefully plan, and when to jump in with both feet. People who go through life helter skelter are irresponsible, and those that stay in their “comfort zone” are probably the most boring people in the world. Finding middle ground is where it’s at. You seem to be exploring that, and I wish you much success.
This is the end of the two weeks of following your blog, but I can assure you that I will still visit. it is the human side of a blog that interests me, and you are providing that as you work through this. Kudos to you for taking the plunge and being the first “victim” of Chuck’s project. Methinks you will go a very long way in what you try to do.
Peace,
Alden~
I’ve learned that I actually can’t hold onto my ideas for too long and
“keep planning, pondering, mapping, and tidying”
because I lose my enthusiasm for the idea (aka story) or I talk myself out of doing that scary thing and put it away forever. Plus, my original ideas seem to always turn out better when I shove them out into the real world (i.e. they mature, get more robust, and therefore more interesting) OR they quickly fail and I’m cheered that I didn’t waste a lot of time and thought on them when they were destined for the shredder. However, it’s taken me years to get to this point, and once in a great while, I’ll still freeze when something seems really off the wall.
I’m all for opening the floodgates!
Anya´s last blog post..NaNoWriMo Word Count Vs. Bond, James Bond
Yes, just pushing all those inhibitions aside and plunging in is the best way for me to get past a blockage. If I’m fighting a bad case of writer’s block, the simple act of writing something, anything, always seems to lead to an idea.
Ashley: That’s an amazing Capote quote, I’ve never heard it. It’s true. Failure is only an impetus to work harder, or at the very least DIFFERENT.
Writer Dad´s last blog post..Redbook… An Excerpt
Great post! As a writer, I love your style at moments like this:
“As long as you give that idea refuge inside you, it will remain sheltered and unstained. But the moment you expose it to the grit and sweat of skin, the moment it passes through your lips and fingers, you are vulnerable.”
And as a thinker and doer, I love thoughts like this:
“Whatever that thing is that gets you kinda-nervous-kinda-excited- but-mostly-crapping-your-pants, you should probably do it.”
Perhaps the most important thing, in all of this, is to know yourself and your strengths and weaknesses. Once you know which part of the process you tend to hold yourself back on the most (or maybe even tend to go overboard on), you also know where you need to challenge and push yourself.
Here’s an example of what I mean: One person might have a hard time taking the plunge to write a book. Another person might have no problem throwing herself into the process of writing a book, but might have a difficult time being heart-wrenchingly true to her topic, and to what she really needs to say. In other words, “opening the flood gates” will look like different things to different people.
I’ve really enjoyed your blog and will definitely continue to read. Thanks for all you’ve shared of yourself and your ideas, so far!
Kristin T.´s last blog post..Tales of a former haiku addict
@ Ashley – What a great quote — I’ve never heard that one before. These two weeks have been my pleasure as well : )
@ Alden – Ooh, I’ve never been called mercurial before! I do see what you mean, because the first post was all about messy mind maps, the second post seemed to suddenly jump into tidy organization, and now this. I think the second post came off stronger than I intended — but it did reveal that I’m indeed exploring the balance myself.
I do hope to keep seeing you around here — need you to keep me on my toes!
@ Anya – You’ve demonstrated the point so well. Failure’s not so bad when you get it out of the way quick and breezy
@ Roy – Yep, certainly easier said than done for a lot of people…but it’s the simple answer.
@ Writer Dad – Agreed! Reminds me of playing soccer in high school… how as soon as the other team scored, I could feel this mad surge of adrenaline inside me, bent on getting our goal…or at least an assist
@ Kristin – That’s a really important point. Once you’re self-aware, it’s amazing to realize how much you can change your patterns.
Nice wrap up to your series! This entry was very inspiring, gets me thinking about some of my hang ups and how i need to open those damned floodgates – may be a total disaster, but that’s better than nothing. And… it probably will NOT be a disaster at all…
NOW! ONWARD, TO THE GATES!!!
Liz´s last blog post..5 Freelance Lessons Learned From Musicals
I love this post! In substance and style it’s fantastic, but personally, I really needed to hear this:
Whatever that thing is that gets you kinda-nervous-kinda-excited-but-mostly-crapping-your-pants, you should probably do it.
…right now. As in this very second.
So thanks for writing the post that was my lightbulb moment.
Ginger´s last blog post..Crazy neighbors
Ah, this is a challenging one for me. It’s my dad’s fault. *grin* My dad is an incredible artist. My dad has artist friends. My dad would go to shows of said friends, realize his paintings were as good, if not better. He’d rush home, pull out all his painting, and start to organize them. Then he’d put them all back in the box. You see, if he asked for money for his paintings then he was exposing himself to potential criticism. He would be vulnerable. This is what I grew up with.
I’ll sing, for free, but with songs I choose. I’ll write, for free, but with themes I choose. Write a book? Actually expect people to pay for that book? Oooooo … scary stuff.
Well, I am going to write that book. And I am going to expect people to pay for it. And they will buy it or they won’t. And they will like it, or they won’t. And you know? That is finally okay with me.
Urban Panther´s last blog post..Faerie glasses
A former boss used to give us “I Blew It” certificates because he wanted us to take risks and feel safe doing so.
Daisy´s last blog post..Bake it yourself; I’ll Can it and Wrap it
@ Liz – I’m betting on zero-disaster as well
@ Ginger – Wonderful — I’d love to know what “that thing” is for you!
@ Urban Panther – Wow, that’s incredible. It’s mind-boggling to think how deeply rooted that stuff can be. It must feel good to finally have that book coming out
@ Daisy – That’s pretty hilarious. Certainly a unique approach!
I’m there now, with something we’ll be “opening the floodgates” on soon. It’s a bit scary, it’s definitely exciting, and there’s a lot of unknown. That I’m doing this with a partner makes it easier – but still – the idea of opening those gates – and what if it flops? But we’re going with it, and the gates will open soon. And I don’t know how it will go – but I know that we will give it all we’ve got!
So, hearing your words here (even the sappy ones) – give some comfort in opening up the gates…Thank you Zoe…
Lance´s last blog post..Thanks For The Cookie
Zoe (I am still not able to write that “Umlaut” and hope that you don’t take it for showing disrespect),
first of all – I really like to read your blog and certainly will after these two weeks.
second, regarding opening the floodgates: your post definitely encourages me to keep on experimenting on my blog. I had some ideas in my mind, but being afraid of failing I stopped working on them. So thanks for sharing!
Ulla Hennig´s last blog post..Bavarian Abbey or the Art of Zen
It’s these kind of posts that have made me subscribe. Totally love the honesty, especially as the example you gave is one a lot of us can understand. As a result, I (personally) think it will persuade more people to just go on and do the thing that they have really wanted to do! x
Paradise @ lastminuteacademic.blogspot.com´s last blog post..Jerk Mentality?
I have to say that I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and you will remain in my feed reader!
This past year I have tried to take the plunge and have submitted my work to dream galleries (no bites so far) and applied to many exhibitions and craft shows. I’ve also bit the bullet and participated in networking groups and guilds as well as putting it all out there online and have met many great people becuase of it. So I join you in saying that we should take that plunge and put ourselves out there because otherwise we’ll cheat ourselves out of wonderful opportunities and experiences.
Wendy Edsall-Kerwin´s last blog post..Get to Better Know Your Hammer – Chasing Hammer
I love your post, but disagree with one aspect. If you’ve done all the “planning, pondering, mapping, and tidying” and still don’t “open the flood gates,” IMHO, you have failed.
LisaNewton´s last blog post..Thesis and Essay Plus Research Paper
@ Lance – Sounds really exciting…you’ve put us all in a bit of suspense about your project
@ Ulla – Blogs are the perfect spot to experiment… I’ve got a bunch of things I’d like to try out soon on this one. (by the way, no worries about the umlaut!)
@ Paradise – Thanks so much! That’s my hope
It helps to find people in the same boat as you are.
@ Wendy – I really admire that, cause it can be so hard to put your work out in the open. Once you start, though, I feel it gets much easier to keep going.
@ Lisa – I do see your point, but rather than seeing it as failing, I see it as not being finished.
Thank you for your ideas on how to start writing. I am currently a pretty good poet. And recently came up with an idea to write a short story around my poetry. Poetry part is easy, but was lost on how to start the story. Will use your ideas. Thanks for making them available, easy to read and grasp. Will make sure you get a link for the first episode and will give you credit for assisting in the creative process of story writing for me.
Thanks a bunch, keep up the good work
Linda in Baltimore
Linda Bradley´s last blog post..Combined Soul Mates Poem Man’s read is bold
Yep, there are times in life when you just have to take a chance. I rely mostly on my intuition to guide me when it comes to risk-taking. For example, once I was offered a very lucrative job but it meant I’d have to relocate about two hours away in less than two weeks. Everyone was telling me to go for it because the salary was sweet but my gut was screaming no, no, no!. I turned it down, and boy, my family and friends sure were disappointed.
Just a few months later, the company was bought out by another and almost every single worker got laid off, including the one in the position I had been offered.
Luck? I think not.
Melissa Donovan´s last blog post..Hot off the Press!
@ Linda – Sounds like a really interesting challenge. I’ll be away until the end of the month, so I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
@ Melissa – Great example…it sounds like a cliché when people say it, but going by your gut is usually the best advice!
I love this line:
I’m all about this idea. I keep myself perpetually uncomfortable as a way to keep me moving forward.
For anyone who doesn’t know if they are living in the Comfort Trap, I’d highly recommend Judith Sills’ book by that name.
Alex Fayle | Someday SyndromeI´s last blog post..A Someday Relapse
“The big secret is that failure doesn’t mean you blew it. It doesn’t mean irreversible, mortifying catastrophe.”
I loved this post Zoe. Failure terrifies me – and being a perfectionist I have a fairly broad view of failure when it relates to me/my work. I feel all inspired
@Urban Panther Thanks for sharing the story about your Dad. Since I have had kids I have really been working on ‘just doing it’ – I so don’t want to pass my hang ups on to them
Meg´s last blog post..Community Matters
Hi Zoe,
Just wanted to update you a bit on my little foray into “idea dumping”. I went home to try it, like I said I would. I thought – “Ok. Four minutes. Here we go!”. I had no idea what I was getting into.
I didn’t think I would be able to hold out for four minutes. I thought I had maybe one idea floating around my head. Or two.
Soon though, I was scrawling all over the place. Everytime I tried to walk away, more ideas came out. And more, and more. I had no idea how many ideas I was keeping pent inside until I sat down to write them all out. Needless to say, I overlapsed my four minutes by a lot.
That being said, I don’t think what I came up with is anything I’ll be able to use for blogging. My blogging style is much more “fly by the seat of your pants”. But I do think I might be the road to something more. Something bigger. Something I wanted to try for a long time, but didn’t really know how to start.
Now, its time for the scary, risk part. I’m nervous. I’m terrified. But I can’t wait to get started.
Mishi´s last blog post..Misused words: Scunge
@ Alex – I hadn’t heard of that book, but even just the title intrigues me…
@ Meg – It’s funny how perfectionism can sometimes encourage you to work hard when you need to, but at other times it can completely hold you back. So happy this inspired you
@ Mishi – How wonderful of you to describe your idea dumping process to us! It sounds really exciting… but I know how you feel, those big ideas can be intimidating when they first come out. Let me know where you’re going!