It Takes A Village To Raise An Idea

Six months ago, I typed a few rough words on a page at the start of an exciting, new chapter for Go-Getter’s Compass.

Clean, Organised and All The Modern Gadgets

During the last two weeks, I have helped Bloggo pack up her things and transition into a life of independence. I’ve shed not a single tear because my heart is too full of pride for seeing my baby find its feet.

The new place is beautiful. It’s clean and organised, for now at least, with all the modern gadgets. Bloggo has hung one of those cute name plaques next to the front door to make the place her own. Inside A Bold Mind, she called it.

Six months ago, I typed a few rough words on a page at the start of an exciting, new chapter for Go-Getter’s Compass. I was on a mission to find the most straightforward cure for faffing and second-guessing.

By its 1st month birthday, that sweet little thought turned my orderly mind into a mess of ideas. I felt overwhelmed by all the shiny new things and didn’t know which to go.

I soon learned that one human week is equal to one year in a blog’s life. Bloggo’s attitude ran amok, and she took on a personality of her own.

Bloggo entered her ‘challenging authority’ phase in Week 9. First, she chastised Isaac Newton for leaving his 4th law laying around for others to trip over. Then she told SMART goals that they’re not that smart after all.

Week by week, I’ve learned how to be the parent of a growing blog. Of course, it hasn’t been smooth sailing, but I’ve learned to stand my ground and not be afraid.

There are three big lessons I will take forward with me in life.

Prioritise One Discipline Above All Else

Like all new parents, I held a vision of what’s involved in being a good blogger. At the outset, I wanted to fulfil that vision, but then reality made an appearance.

• Life got busy and complex
• Posts took a lot longer than I had envisaged
• The administration – loading posts, setting up emails – took a lot longer than I envisaged
• I was out of my depth on the technology front

After some soul searching, I decided the only thing that mattered was that the blog got fed every week. That went to the top of the priority list during my working hours.

Committing to writing each week then allowed me to learn as I progressed. I honed my writing skills, played with formats, and got feedback from mentors. I made lots of tiny steps of learning.

The Answers Always Emerged When I Relaxed

Creativity happens in our unconscious mind. That’s why we most often experience it as a series of epiphanies.

Unfortunately, to get at the good stuff, we must outsmart the security guard in our minds. It wants to derail the process for fear of failure or change.

I have survived countless choke-points when that security guard tried to end operations. I’ve had writer’s block, feared my lack of ability, and questioned the value of my work.

I’ve mastered the art of stopping work when confronted with a roadblock. I go do something else and relax, rather than wage battle.

The answer always emerges when I’m most relaxed.

It Takes a Village to Raise an Idea

In the past, I hated telling people about my new ideas for fear they would scoff at them or tell me why they wouldn’t work.

But I’ve learned that the best way to speed up the growth and maturing of an idea is to share it with other people. Human creativity peaks when we collaborate with others.

I’m selective about who I use as my brains trust, and I often stumble through trying to express my ideas. But that stuff doesn’t strike fear into my heart anymore.

Thank you for being part of my village and helping to raise an idea that I know will be of great benefit to our world.