Enthusiasm Unlocks Your Story

For some reason, when many creatives think of telling their story, negative thoughts flood their mind.

Maybe this is you, too?

Have you sat down to write your About Me story or video script and then immediately think of all the aspects of your work you want to improve, wonder if your work is any good, or start to list out the ways your work is not living up to its potential?  

If you find yourself in this place, do not worry. It doesn’t mean that you should change directions. It just means, you are human. 

I’ve been in this place many times, not just about writing my own story, but also about making steps forward on many fronts of my life.

FACING RESISTANCE WITH FORCE

Often, this is called resistance.

Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art calls this fear “Resistance” with a capital R.

He suggests that one should overcoming resistance by “turning pro.”

What does that mean?

Well, by his definition that means not taking these thoughts personally. Not being precious. Instead work hard and get things done like a professional would do.

That approach might work for some but for me that approach feels judgmental.

I can be a pro or - what is the opposite? A loser?

FACING RESISTANCE WITH CARE

Creativity doesn’t work that way.

In fact, we need to access our feelings. Boxing them up and moving forward might not be the best approach to moving out of our resistance. 

We don’t need to dwell in our fear either.

I’ve found that tuning into what lights me up is a better motivator than ignoring the fear and powering through.

If you find yourself stuck when it comes to writing your story, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to get your creative energies back.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU TUNE INTO YOUR ENTHUSIASM

What gets your excited about your work?

When you are starting to think about writing about your work, it is surprising how quickly we can forgot what it is we like about our work. That can be because we are thinking of the end result and an anonymous person judging our end result.

Instead, think about what you love about DOING the work.  When you are doing a mundane task and daydream about getting back to your creative work, what aspect of your work are you thinking about?

What are you curious about?

Remember the times when you get so absorbed in your work that you forget to eat or go to sleep. What were you doing at the time?

What do you most look forward to when you think about your work?

YOUR STORY - UNLOCKED

Touching back with why you are doing what you are doing will help you to approach your story from a place of self-compassion and self-understanding.

So many times we sit down to write and immediately move into judgement. We may even think that judgement is authentic.

Instead, if you drop into your feelings and your motivations you will start to come to a more accurate description of your work.