Career & Business Coaching Blog.
Inspiration and tips for multi-passionate creatives & entrepreneurs.
5 Tips on What to Focus on When You Don’t Know What to Focus on
Do you often feel like you have too many ideas? Are you finding it hard to find your focus? If this sounds like you, don't worry, you're not alone. Many creatives and entrepreneurs struggle with this issue. I know I do, and so do my clients.
Knowing which project(s) to focus on can be challenging when everything seems like a good idea. And it can be particularly daunting to choose when choosing feels like losing. In this article, I'll discuss five tips to help you focus on the right projects without making you feel like you're missing out. Because, hey, let's be honest, wouldn't that be awesome?
#1 What's most important to you?
Having a creative mind is a blessing but can also be a curse. Too often, we have so many options that we don't know what to do first. From starting that vegan protein bar company to promoting STEM careers to teens to developing an app that helps busy moms manage their time, it's hard to know where to focus your energy. This can make us feel scattered, unfocused, and not doing anything at all.
When you're struggling to focus, probably the most critical question to ask yourself is what your goals are and what you want to achieve, aka what's important to you. A lot of people try to figure out what they really want. Unfortunately, that's probably also what they're struggling with the most. By clarifying what's most important to them - which doesn't need to be the same thing as what they think they want - it becomes much easier to choose what to do.
Some questions that often help:
What are you most excited about in life? What are you passionate about?
What do you want to achieve, personally and professionally?
Who do you want to help, and what difference do you want to make?
What problems do you want to solve? What is important to you?
What does success look like for you?
These questions will help clarify your goals and give you a better idea of which projects are most important to you. Once you have a good understanding of what your goals are, it will be much easier to focus on the projects that will help you achieve them.
#2 What's your time frame?
In addition to considering what’s most important to you, it's also essential to think about your time frame. How much time do you have to devote to each project? Are you working on a tight deadline? Do you have specific milestones you want to achieve in your life?
Your time frame will likely be different for each project. For example, if you're working on a new product you want to launch in the next six months, you'll need to focus on that project and not get sidetracked by other ideas. On the other hand, if you're working on a long-term goal, like writing a book, you might have more flexibility in how you spend your time.
Knowing your project's time frame will help you prioritize and focus on the most critical tasks. It can also be helpful to break down your projects into smaller goals achievable within a set timeframe. This will help you to stay focused and motivated as you work towards your larger goals.
#3 You don't have to choose, but you can't do everything at once either
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to focus is thinking they must do everything at once out of fear of missing out or having to choose. This is particularly true for multi-passionate creatives or creative generalists for whom choosing is like kryptonite (hello, there, I see you!).
The truth is: you can't do everything at once, and you shouldn't try to. Trying to do too many things simultaneously leads to feeling scattered, frustrated, and overwhelmed. That doesn't mean you have to choose and let go of what you want to do forever, but it's important to limit your focus to a few things and let the other ideas waiting for their turn.
It can be helpful to think about your projects in terms of seasons. What can you focus on right now, and what can you put on the back burner for later? For example, if you're working on a new product, you might want to wait to launch your blog until after the product is released. Just remember that choice is not equal to losing; you're not killing an idea, you're just putting it on hold for a while.
#4 Identify your core values
In addition to setting goals, another great way to find focus your attention is by identifying your core values. The question from tip one is related to this, but identifying your values goes even deeper. What is important to you? What do you believe in? When do you feel most fulfilled?
Your values will guide you as you decide which projects to work on and how to spend your time. For example, if one of your values is making a difference in the world, you might want to focus on projects with a social or environmental impact. Or, if you value creativity and innovation, you might want to focus on creative or challenging projects.
Identifying your core values will help you to stay focused on the things that are most important to you. Thinking about your values can be a great way to get back on track when you're feeling lost or uncertain.
#5 Make a list of all the ideas that you have
I purposefully added this tip as the last one and not the first because when you've gone through the first four tips, you should have a much better understanding of what is and isn't important to you. You'll especially know what you're truly passionate about (#1) and what your core values are (#4). So now, when you make your list of ideas, it will be easier to narrow down which ones are most important to you.
To do this, ask yourself which ideas are the most aligned with your values AND your passions; in other words, which ideas will help you achieve your goals. For example, if your core values are creativity and adventure, and you're passionate about writing, you might want to focus on ideas that involve travel or creative writing; or if you're passionate about fashion and your core values are simplicity and sustainability, you might want to focus on ideas related to sustainable fashion.
Bonus tip: choose your three most important ideas
After eight years of supporting creatives and entrepreneurs to get unstuck, I've come to believe that there's a sweet spot for the number of things we can focus on simultaneously. For most (except some powerhouse creative generalists), anything between 3 and 5 projects is doable at any given time. So my bonus tip for you is to choose the three most important ideas from your list and focus on those.
There you have it – five tips to help you focus if you don't know what to focus on! I hope these tips will be helpful for you as you work on bringing your projects and goals to life.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person might not work for another. The best way to find what works for you is to experiment and be patient. Focus on one (or a few) things for a while and see what happens and how it makes you feel.
One last thing I want to add is to give yourself permission to change your focus - and your mind. Our goals and values can change over time, just like we do as people, so it's ok to be flexible in how we focus our attention. If your focus no longer aligns with your goals or values, don't be afraid to adjust accordingly.
It's your life, you decide.
Feeling overwhelmed with all of the options out there and don't know where to start?
You're not alone. Many people feel this way because it's hard to know the best option for you. That's where private coaching comes in - I can help you figure out what you should be focusing on to make progress and achieve your goals.
I'll work with you one-on-one to help you create a plan that works for you and your unique situation. You'll be able to achieve anything you put your mind to! I'll support you set goals, stay motivated, and overcome any obstacles that get in your way.
The Courage to Quit: Five Things You Can do When You're Ready For Something New
Quitting is never easy. It's one of the most challenging things we can do. Whether it's a job, a romantic relationship or friendship, or a project we decided not to pursue. Whatever it is, quitting is hard. Not only because we have to let go of something but also because we have to face our fears.
That's why most of us overthink it and try to find excuses not to do it, even when we know in our guts that we should. This is especially true when we feel responsible, don't want to hurt anyone, or care about what other people think of us. But even if quitting requires courage, it doesn't mean you should hold off from doing it. When you're ready for something new, it's often the only thing you can think about until - guess what? - you finally do something about it!
That, to me, is the telltale sign that it's time for a change. In this article, I share five things that have helped me find the courage to make bold moves in my life and work and how I believe you can, too.
Why do we overthink?
When we overthink, we often try to silence our intuition instead of listening to it. Our gut tells us what something is right for us way before our mind does, but we don't always trust it. We second-guess ourselves and wonder if we're making the right decision. This is because we're afraid of the unknown and failure. But what if we looked at quitting in a different light? What if, instead of seeing it as a sign of weakness, we saw it as an act of courage?
We overthink because our minds are trying to figure something out that only time will tell. We want absolute certainty before taking a step forward, but life rarely works out that way. The more we try to control things, the more we realize that we can't. That's precisely why we need to have faith and trust our gut.
If you're considering quitting something, here are five things you can do:
Take time for yourself. This is probably the most important thing you can do. When we're ready for something new, we often feel we have to make a decision immediately. But it's essential to take some time for yourself first. Ask yourself why you want to quit and what you hope to gain from it. What are your fears, and how can you face them? Taking the time to think about your decision will help you make a more informed choice. The sense of urgency often makes the decision harder to take. When you take that pressure away, you might find the decision relatively easy.
Talk to people who have done it before. If you know anyone who has gone through a similar experience, talk to them about it. Ask them how they made the decision and what the process was like. Hearing other people's stories will help normalize your own experience and make it feel less daunting. Everyone quits sometimes, and most people feel some level of fear when they do. Don't be afraid to reach out for support. The more stories you hear from others and how they've done it, the easier it will be for you to choose a different path for yourself.
Confide in someone you trust. When facing a tough decision, it's often helpful to talk to someone you feel safe with enough to share what is going on with you. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or coach. Talking about our fears and concerns can help us gain clarity and perspective. It can also help us feel less alone in our decision-making process. Another reason why it's important to share what you're going through is we're often standing too close to our problems to see our options. Having someone listen and reflect back to us what they heard can help us see things in a new light.
Get rid of perfectionism. One of the main reasons we don't quit is because we're afraid of not doing it perfectly. We think we have to have everything figured out before we make a move, but that's rarely the case. Often, the best way to learn is by doing. So instead of waiting for things to be perfect, take imperfect action and trust that you'll figure it out along the way. Moving forward without knowing all the steps in advance allows you to be flexible as you progress into this new chapter of your life, which is always important.
Find an ounce of clarity. The first thing you can do is get some clarity about the thing you want. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's often the most challenging part. We can be so caught up in our current situation that we can't see what else is out there. When you're ready to quit, take some time to think about what you want. What are your goals? What would make you happy? Visualize what your life will look like once you've decided and finally quit what isn't working for you anymore. Once you have at least a little bit of understanding of what you want, it will be easier to take the following steps.
Finally, and this is what helps me the most when I've decided to quit something, make a conscious decision to step into this new chapter of your life. Making a significant change is never easy, and it doesn't happen overnight, but by actively deciding to change your life, you're setting yourself up for success. So take a deep breath, trust your gut and go for it! In the end, you're the one that needs to do it.
I hope these tips will help you find the courage to make a change in your life. If you're feeling stuck, remember that you're not alone, and there is always a way out. Change is scary, but it's also exciting and full of possibilities. So leap and see what happens! You might surprise yourself.
Feeling lost and uncertain about your next steps?
Private coaching is a great way to gain clarity on what you should do next in your life or career. I can help you assess whether or not it's time for a change and give you the tools necessary to make that change happen.
If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated, coaching can provide the support, accountability, and guidance you need to make lasting changes in your life and work.
Brainstorming: The Disney Strategy For Finding Clarity And Getting Unstuck
If you're feeling stuck and need some clarity, brainstorming may be the answer! But not just any kind of brainstorming, the kind that doesn't kill your dreams before they even take shape in your mind.
The Disney strategy is a great way to get started. This strategy involves several steps for analyzing a problem, generating solutions or ideas to resolve it, evaluating those ideas, and finally constructing and critically reviewing a plan of action. I love this way of approaching a problem, especially when you feel there's nothing you can do to fix it. Often our lack of options or our difficulty in seeing the alternatives available comes from fear disguised as a strong focus to find flaws in any plan or course of action we come up with.
Clearly state the problem and brainstorm solutions
You start by clearly stating the problem or question you want to brainstorm about and what the task is you want to resolve.
For instance: "I want to move to a sunny location, preferably by the ocean, but I can't quit my job at the grocery store because I need to fund my life when I'm there. How can I ensure I will be financially secure to make this move?"
When I brainstorm possibilities or questions like this with clients, they all start with very few answers, sometimes none. But when we get creative, think outside of the box and go a little wild and crazy on what solutions might look like, we're always able to create an extended (and fun!) list of options to choose from.
For the question above, after a little bit of thinking and digging, the list might look something like this:
Not move and stay where I am.
Find a grocery store job where I want to be living.
Start my own business.
Get an inheritance, so I don't have to work at all.
Move to a sunny location and get a job that can be done online.
Start a GoFundMe page and ask for donations to help with the move.
Find a wealthy partner who already lives by the ocean.
Sell my art and pottery.
Become a coast guard.
Organize beach weddings and become a wedding photographer.
...
As you can see, the list above contains a mix of very realistic and not-so-realistic options. And that's ok! The goal is to get as many ideas on paper (or in your notes app) as possible.
Don't censor yourself while you're coming up with ideas
One unique thing about this approach is that no criticism is allowed while you're in brainstorming mode. And you're invited to come up with the wildest ideas and as many ideas as possible. This is what makes this method so unique. It's named after Walt Disney because he was a hard realist who was critical of his ideas and knew how to dream up the biggest and most impossible dreams first.
After coming up with creative ideas, Disney also introduced the practice at his animation studios. He would encourage his animators to "go wild" with their ideas and generate as many possibilities as they could. While doing this, nobody was allowed to criticize or downplay an idea. No feedback at all was being given. The only goal was to come up with as many possibilities as possible. There was plenty of time to think about their feasibility later.
In the 1990s, Robert B. Dilts developed a creative technique based on how Walt Disney brainstormed and called it the Walt Disney method. The original technique is meant to help a small group of four to six people develop new ideas and solutions. The basis for this is three roles that Walt Disney used during his creative process: the dreamer, the realist, and the critic:
The dreamer: This person comes up with as many ideas and possibilities as possible.
The realist: This person is responsible for looking at the ideas and judging which ones are realistic and feasible and which ones are not.
The critic: This person's job is to find flaws in the ideas and help improve them.
Narrow down your list and set priorities
After you've come up with as many ideas as possible, it's time to evaluate your options, so you don't get overwhelmed by them. This is the realist's job. The best way to do this is to narrow down your choices using your intuition and ask yourself:
What would you like to do?
What could you realistically do in the short term?
What are the most important factors for you?
What are your priorities?
Once you're clear on your top priorities, start using logic to categorize them and make informed choices. List the positive and negative aspects of each option.
For example, if one of your options is to get a job at a grocery store, the pros might be that you would get a regular paycheck, and it would be easy to find jobs like this. The cons might be that it's not the kind of work you want to do long-term, and it's not in the location you want to be living.
Make a choice and create a plan to move forward
Once you've examined your options, weigh the pros and cons and then make a choice. This is where the critic comes in. They help you to find flaws in the ideas and improve them. After you've made a decision, it's time to create a plan and take action.
If you've decided to get a job at a grocery store, your next steps might be to research which stores are hiring in your area and then submit your resume. Or, if you've decided to start your own business, your next steps might be to research what kind of business you want to start and then create a business plan. Whatever you decide, make sure to put even a tiny plan together, so you know what the next step to take is.
The Disney Strategy is a great way to find clarity and get unstuck! Brainstorming is a great way to see all the possibilities out there waiting for you, but doing it without holding yourself back is much more powerful! So next time you feel stuck, remember Disney and try it.
You might be surprised by what you come up with when you don't put any limits on yourself.
Feeling stuck in your career and life?
Private coaching is a great way to get unstuck and find new opportunities. As a certified coach I will help you identify your goals and create a plan to achieve them. You’ll be amazed at how much progress you can make in just a few weeks.
Coaching can help you achieve anything you want in life. With the right coach, you can finally break through the barriers that have been holding you back for years. Stop dreaming and start doing – learn more about private coaching today!
Why You Might Have More Than One Why (And That's Okay)
Okay, you want to change the world, but you also want to travel in style. Or you want to save the planet, but at the same time, you do love fashion, and you feel best when you look your best - in Chanel and Lagerfeld! Or perhaps you want to paint all day and brighten the world with your art, but you also love finance and AI, and you're dying to enter a program at MIT that you know will mark the future for DeFi.
As someone with multiple passions and interests, I can tell you that the struggle is real. Although after thousands of hours coaching multi-passionate creatives (creative generalists), I know that all our interests and passions are a whole on a certain level, it's often difficult to figure out what that looks like. The same is true for our "whys."
Many creative generalists feel torn between multiple reasons why they do what they do, as well as different dreams or even lives they'd love to live. Those whys and goals might even contradict themselves.
You're a multi-passionate creative, a creative entrepreneur, a creative generalist. In short, a complex, multi-faceted and nuanced human being. You're allowed to be driven by more than one thing. In this article, we'll explore why you might have more than one "why" and how that's okay.
The power of your "whys"
Your whys are a powerful force in your life. They drive your decisions and your actions. If you have more than one, even though you might not think it right now, I consider you very lucky! Some people desperately look for their "why" their entire life, without ever feeling the inspiration you enjoy every day. It might be what makes you so creative and unique. You're not just an artist, scientist, or businessman - you're all of those things at once.
Simon Sinek says that you should find your why before anything else. As a thought leader, he has popularized the idea that everyone needs to have a single "Why" as their driving force in life. But what happens when your "why" changes over time or you have more than one?
In his TEDTalk, "How Great Leaders Inspire Action," Simon Sinek shares how your why is your driving force in life and should be your priority before anything else. He talks about the golden circle of communication for companies and leaders and how their why can inspire cooperation, trust, and change.
It's true; a powerful why can move us. If it's powerful enough, it can even move mountains - or at least start a revolution. So that's not the issue. The problem begins when you have more than one why, but the world keeps on telling you to pick just one. When that happens, you're stuck in multi-passionate choice overload. And as you might be familiar with, this is not a happy place to be.
The many "whys" of multi-passionate creatives
If you're a creative generalist, you probably have many different types of whys in your life. You might have some creative passions like writing or photography and some other, more mainstream "whys" that keep you motivated.
As a multi-passionate creative or entrepreneur, your "whys" can contradict themselves. One day you might be driven by your passion for saving the world, and the next, you might be more interested in making a lot of money. That doesn't mean that one is more important than the other; it's just that your priorities might change from day to day or week to week.
Creative generalists often have multiple whys because they're interested in many different things. They're naturally curious, and they like to explore new things. They're also very adaptable and can easily switch between various interests. This type of creativity is often called divergent thinking, and it's the type of creativity needed for innovation.
As a multi-passionate, you might also have what's called a portfolio career. A portfolio career is a career where you have multiple jobs or roles related to your skills and passions. This type of career is becoming more and more popular, as people are looking for ways to escape the rat race and find more meaning in their work.
So if you're feeling overwhelmed by all your different passions, don't worry. You're not alone. And you're not crazy. You're a creative entrepreneur, and that's a good thing. Embrace your many whys and use them to drive you towards your goals.
How to find balance when you have more than one (contradicting) why?
Even though creativity is a "why" that feels like an escape or release for many people, there are other times when it can feel like your duty and obligation. This is because of another why that you have: your sense of responsibility. You might feel a strong need to take care of those around you, including your team, clients or customers, and family members.
This contradiction can make it hard for creative generalists to find the balance between their two (or more) whys. But it's possible to bridge the dichotomy in two ways:
The first way is by mixing your whys and your obligations so that one does not outweigh the other. This might include delegating your creative tasks to someone else or outsourcing them when you have too many deadlines on your plate.
The second way is creating a pattern or rhythm that reflects your sense of balance between your creative spark and your responsibility. This might be something like scheduling your creative tasks for a portion of the day so that you can focus on your work-related duties during another time slot.
No matter how you find balance, it's important to remember that it will always be a work in progress. Don't be hard on yourself if you feel like you're not living up to your high standards. Just keep working at it, and eventually, you'll find a groove that works for you.
You're a unique creative being; you're allowed to have more than one why! It's your life - and your only one. So take the time to go deep on what matters to you, identify your creative passions as well as your other "whys," and combine them in a way that makes sense to you.
Do you want to make a career out of your passions?
I know what it feels like to have multiple interests – but not knowing how to make them work together. Sometimes, it can feel impossible, but that doesn't mean it has to stay that way forever! If you're tired of feeling like there's no way to turn your passions into a career, then this might be the moment everything changes for you.
Let's explore your unique nature and create a plan together so we can figure out how best to turn your many interests into an extraordinary career and life!
7 Common Stumbling Blocks for Creative Entrepreneurs That Might Keep You Stuck
It's no secret that creative entrepreneurs can be their own worst enemy. As someone who identifies as one, I know how hard it can be to make progress on what you're working on when you're getting in your way. In this article, we'll explore seven common stumbling blocks for multi-passionate creative entrepreneurs and discuss what keeps you stuck or unable to move forward on your projects, careers, or businesses.
You're not flaky, you lack focus
How to focus on different things simultaneously and make progress on all of them without losing our mind? That's the question we need to answer to be happy multi-passionate entrepreneurs or creative generalists.
In Western society particularly, our worth is tied to our productivity. If we're not getting things done and getting them done quickly before the deadline is up, then we feel like a failure. A hurdle to this feeling of worthlessness comes from our mental blocks, often tied to limiting beliefs, negative thinking, or stress.
Creative entrepreneurs often struggle with productivity because they're not sure where their focus should be at any given time - or how to juggle with all the things on their plate at the same time.
The key is not in getting more focused but getting less unfocused, moving between different tasks without getting stuck or feeling like we're getting nothing done.
7 common stumbling blocks that might keep you stuck
#1 Not knowing what to get started with.
Aka having to make a choice. If I might change my mind later, why am I even starting? This is classic multi-passionate creative thinking, especially when you've experienced a change of heart before.
It would help if you remembered that choices are rarely forever, and you can always change your mind. Also, you don't know where a choice can lead, which is exciting! So instead of overthinking every choice and doing nothing, choose something! You can always change your mind later!
#2 Specialist schedules.
Even when you allow yourself to focus on multiple projects simultaneously, you can still fall into the trap of specialist schedules: a rigidity to concentrate on one particular project and nothing else. If you're anything like me, this will feel like you're still trapped.
As creative generalists, we need to know that we're allowed to let our minds wander and play with whatever interest comes up, even if only for a while. Of course, make sure you keep progress in mind and don't go down too many rabbit holes at once or for too long. But do allow yourself some time for flexibility to be curious and to explore.
#3 Poor time management.
It's an energetic thing; it's a boundaries thing; it's even a freedom thing. Time management, in essence, is self-management.
To improve how you use your time, you want to know how you work best first. To do this, you can keep track of what you're spending your time on for a week, and I have a handy PDF you can download to help you do that here. Once you have a better grasp of what works for you, apply that to your schedule.
#4 Internalized beliefs.
What you believe to be true could be keeping you stuck. We all have limiting beliefs about ourselves that hold us back from making progress or reaching our full potential. You might recognize them as things like not being good enough, always getting lucky with every project you work on, no one will ever take me seriously.
What's important is to become aware of your self-limiting thoughts and replace them with positive truths about yourself. For example, you might believe you're not good at writing because your brother always got better grades than you or that getting any job is hard if our school results weren't so great. But the truth could be that getting a job is hard for everyone, and you need to work on getting yourself out there.
#5 Fears and worries.
Besides limiting beliefs, our fears and worries are probably the biggest reason we stay stuck. Fears are the things that hold us back from getting started, getting out there, or showing ourselves and our work. We're afraid of failing, not getting it right, and being judged for it.
What's important to remember is that fears never go away - but they can be faced! You have to take little steps forward towards what you want to achieve, getting a little bit out there each time. Just by doing so, you will get more confident and fearless in the process!
#6 Lack of self-confidence and impostor syndrome.
Low self-confidence or feeling like someone is eventually going to find out about you will always keep you stuck. This is especially true if you're a creative generalist. You want to be the best at everything, and that's not possible!
The best thing to do to get rid of those feelings is to get clear on your strengths, how they can help you achieve what you want, and, most importantly, learn to trust yourself 100%. Because knowing that you always have your back is the most powerful feeling in the world!
#7 Not knowing when to quit.
On the other end of the spectrum, not knowing when to quit can be as problematic as not knowing when to start. For multi-passionate creatives especially quitting can be challenging.
Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect time to quit. But getting clear on what you want and especially what makes you happy can help you know when it's time for you to move on. Also, remember that your definition of "done" is different than that of other people. Once you've learned everything there is to know about a subject, job, or even business, chances are you'll be ready to move on.
I've been a creative entrepreneur for the past 20+ years and a coach for them for almost 8. In that time, I've seen many other creatives get stuck. I hope the common stumbling blocks and tips to overcome them that I shared with you today will help you move forward.
Before I go, I'd love to leave you with a question to ponder: what's one thing you could do this week to challenge yourself creatively?
Are you stuck in your career or life?
I can help with private coaching for creatives and entrepreneurs. You don't have to have all the answers, but you need to be ready to take the next step and get unstuck. If that's you, let's talk about how we can work together.
You deserve more than just another day at work or another night on Netflix. You deserve more than just going through the motions every single day without ever really feeling alive. It's time for something different – it's time for a change! If this sounds like something that resonates with you, then let's schedule a free 30-minute coaching session today! We'll talk about where you are right now, where you want to go next, and how coaching could help make those dreams come true.
Too Many Ideas? Here are 5 Tips to Stop Feeling Stuck, Lost or Under Pressure When you Don't Know Where to Start
As a (multi-passionate) creative, I know the struggle is real. We have too many ideas, and they all seem so good - all of the time! Feeling stuck or lost because of my lack of time or not knowing where to start used to be a familiar feeling for me. Feeling like I didn't have the legitimacy to do what I wanted to do also haunted me for years, and it still comes up from time to time.
If you're feeling overwhelmed with everything, pressured by the burden of having to do something meaningful that pays the bills, feel like you never have enough time to get started, or don't know what to do, this article is for you. Together let's discover how to stop feeling stuck, lost, or under pressure when you're a multi-passionate creative.
Thinking that we'll never have the time or never be able to do everything can make us restless: we want it all right now! It's not that we're greedy; we don't want to miss any opportunity, and we want to do all of the things! The problem is, we have so many ideas that even if we work relentlessly, we still don't know how to get around and do everything.
But the good news is, there's a way to get unstuck from under that pile of ideas AND take steps towards your dreams.
How to stop feeling stuck when you have too many ideas and don't know where to start. Here are 5 tips to help you get started.
#1 Make a list - braindump and categorize
Make a list of everything that is running the show in your head. Write it down as a brain dump or mind map. Don't worry about how good something sounds or if someone else might do the same thing: write everything down without editing yourself. You can also challenge yourself by writing your ideas out on paper instead of typing, but remember to get rid of distractions such as phone notifications or chatty colleagues or family members when doing this!
When you've got your list or overview, categorize (this is the magic step, so don't skip it!). See which ideas could work together, are related, or build on each other. Very often, a lot of our interests will be connected, even if just loosely. By grouping them, you'll feel less overwhelmed by everything that is asking for your attention, and you'll start to see what you could get started with.
#2 Make time - so you can take action
When you have categorized, start with what you think is most important RIGHT NOW, reminding yourself that you're choosing for now and not forever! All your other ideas will get their turn; you can't do everything all at once.
Take action by starting small; don't think about the result and go for it. Starting small can help you to get out of your comfort zone without feeling too overwhelmed by things that might feel stressful or difficult at first.
#3 Avoid perfectionism - it's nothing but a dream killer
Many of us are scared to start working on something we think might not be perfect, and that makes sense because nobody wants their work to look unprofessional or silly.
Avoid feeling overwhelmed by thinking about how difficult or stressful everything might seem at first, and go for it! Timeboxing your work will help by making you focus on doing something for a certain amount of time, giving you less time to overthink or worry about everything that could go wrong.
If you're struggling to get started because you're afraid your work won't be good enough, perfectionism might not be the only thing at play. It may be that you lack confidence or fear failure: both things we've all experienced at some point in our lives. Instead of focusing on the fear of failure, focus on what you have to gain by taking action and creating something real instead of just thinking about it!
#4 Follow a creativity schedule - not a specialist one
Multi-passionate creatives are rebellious by nature. The problem with most schedules and calendars is that they're made for specialists who don't need a sense of freedom as creative generalists do.
As creative generalists, we have many interests and talents. Still, the flow we need when performing a particular activity cannot just be turned on or off (although that would be incredibly cool!). Often unconsciously, we choose tasks based on the available physical, but especially mental energy of the moment. I, for example, write my articles in the morning because I know I won't get a decent word on paper in the afternoon. If I try to write in the afternoon on a tight schedule, this always leads to frustration and reduced productivity.
The solution is simple: put flexible blocks on your schedule, but only fill them when you're ready to get started. So you can decide when you'll work, but do not lock yourself in with "what" it is that you'll do during those blocks. Use a running list of tasks for the coming weeks, for example, and organize them by priority. Then, when you're ready to work, pick what feels good to you in the moment. When you can freely choose what you work on every day, the feeling you get is indescribable, especially for a rebellious bird like you.
#5 Ask for help - nobody can do it alone
Nobody can do it alone. But as creative generalists, because we're so used to learning quickly and understanding practically any subject, we often think we're supposed to do it all ourselves.
But the truth is: It's not because you can do something that you should. Realizing this changed my life and that of many of my clients.
It's essential to ask for help whenever you think it might benefit your project. Even if you're struggling with something that seems like an easy task, remember this: nobody can do it alone. And nobody should!
To end, I'd love to say once more that you don't have to choose just one idea over all the others. If you find yourself overwhelmed with too many ideas, take a deep breath and go through the tips above (again). You really can build a career or business that includes many of your passions and interests. Believe me, I know, because it's what I help people, just like you do every day!
Are you a multi-passionate creative who is stuck in your career or life?
I can help. My name is Murielle Marie, and I'm a private coach for multi-passionate creatives. If you have too many ideas but don't know what to do with them, let me help you find clarity and direction so that you can live the life of your dreams.
Let me show you how we can work together by scheduling a free 30-minute coaching session call today! Click below right now to get started.
10 Practical Ways to Get Unstuck Right Now
Do you currently feel stuck in your life? If you do, I want you to know that you're not alone. As a coach for multi-passionate creatives and entrepreneurs, helping people get unstuck is what I do best.
I get excited about helping others finally move forward because it's one of the best feelings in the world. I get to see people who are passionately pursuing their true path and achieving what they want. There's nothing better than seeing someone move past obstacles that were keeping them from following their dreams.
So, if you're feeling stuck right now, I get it. It's not fun to feel this way. There are many reasons why you might, and they vary from person to person. However, no matter what your challenges are, there's always a way forward. The key is looking for a way out and being open to it.
Action Comes Before Motivation
One of the most challenging things when you're stuck is finding the motivation within yourself to get moving again. It's easy to get stuck, getting moving again... not so much. Old habits and routines can feel safe, and the unknown often feels scary, even if it's so much better in the long term than what you have right now.
There are many reasons why we get stuck:
because we're afraid of failing,
because we procrastinate and keep putting off anything that feels scary or uncertain,
because the path forward isn't clear yet,
because we don't have a plan,
because our family doesn't support what we want to do,
because it seems like everything around us is working against our goals,
because we feel like we're the only one who isn't happy with their life right now,
and so much more...
10 Practical Ways to Get Unstuck Right Now
What do you get when you combine procrastination with fear? Creative deadlock. It always amazes me how easy it is to get tangled up in doing nothing by overthinking what I need to do next.
Ironically, the idea of "being stuck" (the most common procrastination excuse) is itself a fear, and a sneaky one disguised as laziness or indecision. Interestingly, we get stuck with both positive and negative emotions – not just paralyzing fear but also excited anticipation. I know, right? So let's get the "I just don't know what to do" off our chest and look at ten ways to get unstuck right now instead.
Determine what part of getting started is holding you back – fear, indecision, procrastination? Usually, it's some combination. Next time you get stuck on starting something, ask yourself: Do I worry about this? What might the fear be? What is the worst/best possible scenario for getting started? Let's get into some action here.
Write a list of possible actions you can take right now as if you had no fear at all and knew with 100% certainty that it would turn out alright in the end. Most likely, there will be at least 60% of them that you get excited about.
Trust yourself and go for one of the actions on your list. As soon as you get into motion, you'll notice that the feeling of being stuck subsides. The trick is to get a second action going right away after the first one. Then another one, and another one (you get the picture :)).
Remember that the first step is often the hardest. Once you get started, unseen forces and power get you unstuck and get things done. Once you get a few actions going, the momentum will help carry you forward. It is a bit like a snowball effect: it becomes harder and harder to get stuck again once you're out of the starting blocks.
Identify your biggest fear about getting started. Get back to that fear with a worst-case scenario: what's the worse that could happen? Except for the odd one out, you'll realize the worst isn't that bad, and certainly not as bad as doing nothing! Once you get that one out of the way, it will become easier to get things done. Don't leave it on the list for later – do it today!
Reward yourself for getting started. Treat yourself, take a break, get outside in the fresh air. Don't wait until the end of a project or goal to celebrate. When you've been stuck for a while, it's essential to reward yourself for little progress. This will train your brain to want more of that feeling and make it easier for you to keep going.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Let me say that again: get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I know you're afraid of the unknown, I am too, but most people never get what they want because they quit when it gets tricky. By getting familiar with annoying or complex emotions, you give yourself a priceless gift. The more you get acquainted with them, the more control you'll have over them - instead of them over you!
If it's still hard to get started, make a plan for the next 15 minutes - not a minute more. Forget about the end goal, forget about all the tasks you have to accomplish, and focus on the next 15 minutes. Once they're over, you're done. Congratulations! Repeat for a few days or weeks until those 15 minutes feel too easy, then add more time as you progress forward.
Get an accountability partner. Find someone who will tell you to get your butt in gear even when you don't want to get started. Share goals, dreams, and work schedules with this person. Ask them to keep you on track and offer to do the same for them. You can get there on your own, but often knowing that you're accountable to someone will make it easier to get - and stay unstuck.
If you really can't get unstuck, find some professional help. There's a lot of it out there: therapists, support groups, coaches like myself... whatever it is you're struggling with, someone can help you figure things out. Don't be afraid to reach out.
I hope you've found these tips helpful. Just remember that being stuck is a feeling, not a fact. You have the power to move forward. I know it's hard, but you can do it!
Do you feel stuck?
I'm a coach and mentor for creatives and entrepreneurs who want to grow their careers or businesses. My specialty is helping people get unstuck so they can move forward with confidence. You don't have to go through this alone – I can help!
You don't have to stay stuck forever! Let me help you find the clarity, courage, motivation, and direction needed to progress your goals today! We will work together in an intimate setting where we can focus on what matters most for YOU. It doesn't matter whether it's writing a book, changing careers, or starting a new business - my job is to support you through this process until you're ready to fly again by yourself! This could be precisely what you need right now...