Unstick Yourself: An Exercise for Creative MoMENTUM
Within the process of making something—from the first spark of an idea to its final presentation—it's natural to have doubts and worries about what, how, and why you're making what you're making.
Sometimes these apprehensive thoughts take over, and we can end up paying more attention to them than to our goals. When that happens we feel "stuck," a situation that is completely normal but definitely not fun or useful!
Trying to ignore or silence our worries is frequently ineffective. We only end up going in exhausting mental circles. Instead, we can observe our thoughts and see exactly where they might be holding us back—which can then illuminate a path forward.
If your doubts and worries are hindering you, this exercise can support you to get unstuck so you can get back doing what's important to you.
Instructions:
1.) At the top of a blank piece of paper, write the name of your project (for example, My Novel).
2.) Draw a line lengthwise down the center of the paper.
3.) In the left-hand space, list of all the worries you have about the project. No one needs to see this list, so write whatever thoughts arise, even if they “don’t make sense.” For example, if I want to start writing a novel, I might jot down–
Image: A piece of paper with a line down the middle. On the left side, it reads “I've never written a novel, I don't know what I'm doing. I'll never finish it because I need uninterrupted time to write. My family will read it and laugh at my ideas. It will probably never be published. If it makes it to print, my publisher will insist on a cover design that embarrasses me. I'll have to read in front of crowds. It will be reviewed poorly, and my writer friends will pity me.”
Whatever your worries sound like, note them on the left. Write as many worries as you have for your project, or until you feel like you've gotten all the big ones out.
4.) Take a few deep breaths, or go for a walk. Whatever you've just written, you're not alone! Every creative person struggles with doubts and fears. You’re being truthful about yours.
5.) Read through your list. As you look at each item, ask yourself, "What might the reverse of that situation look like?" On the right hand side of the paper, write your answers. It might look something like:
Image: On the right side of the page, some responses are written: “I could sign up for a novel-writing workshop. Could let the process be an adventure. I could practice writing in short sprints. Ask writers with kids: How? They [my family] might respect my efforts. I don’t know how anyone will respond!”
6.) Now for the best part: Cut off the left side of the paper, and throw it away. Those thoughts might still be with you, but they don't need to be in front of you.
7.) Re-read the remaining list, then pick one answer and use it to create a small action. Let it be tiny! For example, I might decide to practice writing in sprints; I’d open a new file on my computer and write notes and ideas for my novel for the next 15 minutes, just to practice shifting my attention to creative doing instead of being stuck in thinking. Important: Do one small action from your right-hand list as soon as possible.
Image: The left side of the paper (the doubts and worries) have been cut off. The right side of the paper is now a list of useful thoughts that lead to new possibilities. It reads, “I could sign up for a novel-writing workshop. Could let the process be an adventure. I could practice writing in short sprints. Ask writers with kids: How? They [my family] might respect my efforts. I don’t know how anyone will respond! There are many paths to publication. The cover could be really cool, just what I wanted. Reading aloud to a crowd is a skill that can be practiced, when I’m done writing. My writer friends are very supportive, and very compassionate.”
8.) Repeat as necessary. Keep your right-hand list nearby and see if it sparks new ideas for small, sweet actions that move you forward.
9.) Congratulations! As soon as you take action, no matter how small, you’re no longer stuck!
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