I Gotta Tell Ya…I Feel Stuck
I’ve tried to post something new to this blog multiple times over the past couple weeks, but each time I struggled to come up with something worth publishing. The truth is I’ve felt stuck.
Sure, I could just post a new technique, tool or tutorial (and I plan to continue doing so), but every time I sat down to write there was a mental block. I finally found the source of the problem.
The Problem
I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself to take things to a new level with my content and, as a result, help you do the same. I couldn’t just publish another tip without wrapping it in a more meaningful purpose for both you and me.
I needed to be sure I was helping you accomplish what you want most from your podcast while at the same time accomplishing what I want most.
This meant first reviewing my own objectives as a business owner and content creator.
That is where I got stuck. As important as it is to review your focus on a regular basis, it take time and energy and, frankly, can be a scary for two reasons:
- Will I be able to come up with good ideas (and often I feel like it has to be the BEST idea)
- If I do come up with good ideas, will I be able/willing to implement them if I do
The Start of a Solution
I finally sat down with my preferred mind mapping tool and a playlist of my favorite pump-me-up music and started brainstorming.
After several hours I came up a several ideas to bring renewed focus to my business as well as several powerful ideas to improve the quality of my content and better serve you. I could feel the block starting to lift, but not entirely.
While I’m thrilled with the new ideas, it opened a floodgate of things that I want to put into action and offer to my community. I’m left wondering whether I can make it all happen.
Like I said, I can put too much pressure on myself, like we all do, at times.
What’s Next?
I’ve been sorting through all my outlines and mindmaps and gradually making a plan. I’ll have more details soon on how much of it I plan to implement and what I plan to bring to you in the coming weeks and months.
In any case, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted content so I wanted to give you an update.
I’m very close to finishing the first in a series of posts that discuss the very basis of everything I do. These are the fundamentals that guide how I do business, how I teach and how a live my life.
Watch for the new post and important announcements on Thursday.
So what do you do when you’re stuck? How do you get past the (often self-induced) pressure?
April 22nd, 2008 23:44
Jason,
The first thing you do is admit when you’re feeling stuck. You’ve already done that, so bravo!
Things go in cycles - you put forth a tremendous amount of valuable content in a condensed time period. Now you need time to refill your glass. Even Superman took 5 years off.
Take a note from Seth Godin - just a little at a time - drip, drip, drip - as he puts it. Little nuggets of insight or an inside scoop will satisfy your fans. Hang in there, you do a great job.
April 23rd, 2008 02:36
I agree with Mark. The creativity required for these kinds of projects tends to go in cycles.
What I’m trying to do is create a bank of sorts so when I’m feeling *it* I can store up a lot of content to use during these down periods.
Probably the biggest thing is not to let yourself get frustrated, since that often just makes the ideas more difficult to come by.
Another thing is to take a look at your project with a “beginner’s mind” where you look at your site/podcast/whatever from the perspective of someone who has come across your content for the first time. What questions might they have? It’s a great way to find some assumptions you may have made along the way that will often bring forth a lot of idea for content.
That tends to work for me, anyway :)
April 23rd, 2008 03:24
First of all Jason, thanks for you clear honesty. You are certainly not alone. And you are obviously pumped and on the right track.
What I want to share with you is how fabulous your free tutorial has been for me and to let you know I teach business development to adults, and have referred them to your site. I am very grateful for the time, and or money you invested in providing such a great resource.
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Harmony
April 23rd, 2008 11:27
Jason, you’re a creative guy. Fall back on your music background. How do you come up with new material there? Do you jam, writer, or listen to others?
Being an artist, I often just sit down and write out every idea that comes to me. I free associate, and don’t censor anything. I’ll sometimes do it for a couple of hours. If I’m not sitting down when I do it, I stand or walk around and talk it out like a weirdo. It helps!
I’m looking forward to your new content.
April 25th, 2008 19:46
Hi, Jason–the mind map idea is a great start. I also suggest that you imagine what the block looks like, sounds like, and feels like. Imagine that you can communicate with it not only to identify the problem (you did that) but also for the block’s ideas about how to overcome it. It may sound a bit out there, but it’s the kind of thing Einstein and others have done to solve problems, and it works when I coach writers who have writer’ block. — best regards, Jurgen
April 26th, 2008 01:56
Jason–
I think all publishers have the same experience… many of us have the experience on a regular basis. lol
The best solution I’ve come up with is to keep notes and mind maps of all of my knowledge, experience, examples, etc. (Sort of a map of all my mental bookmarks.)
I try to keep two or three tiers — big categories, specific concepts/strategies, and then specific examples/tactics.
It seems as if when I go back to this binder, I never go more than skimming a few random pages before thinking up some great things to teach.
Often, the answer is to make a new distinction on a concept previously taught.
Good to hear that you had the same eye-opening and won’t be running dry on content anytime soon.
Enjoy your weekend!
Will
April 26th, 2008 05:41
Sharing your thoughts with your community, with your peers, is one way of getting over a block or just a way of feeling stuck. And we have all been there.
And isn´t that what you are working hard now to share with us as your busniess - that this is the new way to make business? Sharing, transparency, community-building, etc…
So I am not worried - you´ll come through and get experiences we can all benefit from.
However…a lot of us might need to disconnect more from our community to rebuild and restore ourselves - not being so afraid to miss out, to feel left out, to feel less needed. I guess creativity comes from the inside, really - from where you connect with your authentic self, get a strong hold and build your own solid ground based on your own set of rules, experiences, view of life - that should be the most important asset in your business life.
Enjoyr your weekend :-)
April 28th, 2008 10:31
Jason,
Much like if you have test anxiety the first thing you have to do is breathe. When you get stressed you take shallow breathes and it lessens the oxygen going to the brain. You need your brain to work now, so breathe.
Second would be to believe in yourself. You’ve had great ideas in the past, and another one is right around the corner. Believe.
Walk away, and it will be here when you come back. When I was a technician stuck on solving a problem, we would call in “the expert.” He would look it at, and he would try some things. If that didn’t work? He would go smoke a cigarette. When he came back he would often see the problem with a fresh set of eyes (much in the “too close to the forest to see the trees), and the root of the problem would be sitting right there. I recommend finding a healthier alternatice to cigarettes. Walk around the block, take a vacation…..
Enjoy Hawaii. When you come back, rested, relaxed, with a new perspective, the next step will be obvious.
April 28th, 2008 14:11
Hello, Jason,
You know , even a powerhouse like you is subject to down time. Creative dry places are to be expected . Spiritual folks like me refer to them as being “in the dessert” , or “wilderness experiences”. These times are reparative , and frequently they are where God does a lot of work in us to prepare us for even greater outpourings.
Like Andrew Huff, I try to be pro-active and prepare for these times by creating a resource pool of material that I can draw on when I am going through a wilderness experience.
The main thing is to realize that this is a natural part of the creative process and do not get frustrated. Use the time to celebrate God and the Gift He has given you. You will be surprised at how your perspective will change and how quickly you will be able to be creative again.
Thank you for introducing me to Podcasting and for giving such clear easy to follow direction. You really are gifted in this area , and you are a gifted teacher as well!!!
Be assured that I will be praying that your stregnth will be restored. Be Encouraged!!! Norma
April 29th, 2008 01:36
Wow! Thanks everyone for the encouragement and great ideas. Each one of your comments has offered great insight and power. I appreciate your input.