Ideas and a New Project

Shower ideas and before bed ideas can be some of the best ideas a girl can have. In my case, I tend to think about blog post topics and business ideas. When I remember to, I write them down in a notebook. Otherwise, I let them go because they’re not as in focus as I’d like or they’re just forgettable.

I think the most difficult thing for me has been acting on my ideas.

It’s easy for me to decide that an idea is good, but I tend to get stuck in the “planning” stages of my ideas. For instance, over the past few months, I’ve been itching to take on a personal project of some kind – one that I could use to grow as a writer. So, I did what so many of us do. I read a dozen or more e-books on achieving your goals and turning your ideas into a reality. I got stuck on the questions of, “Should I be doing this?” and “How do I know this is the right thing to do?” I buried myself in doubt and questions and frustration because I was too worried about planning the perfect idea rather than actually doing something about it. I hid behind the need to be organized and knowledgeable.  Then, I asked for help.

Ash from The Middle Finger Project is one of the most badass women I’ve ever come to know. She is someone who just oozes awesome and achievement. She’s smart, sassy, funny, and is one hell of a writer – but most importantly, she does what she loves. She also helps people, like me, move forward with their ideas.

When Ash launched her redesigned site (GO SEE IT NOW. YOU’LL LOVE IT.), I had the chance to correspond with her one-on-one. I shared my frustration. I told her about what I was feeling, what I wasn’t doing, and my desire to move forward. She gave me her feedback as well as an idea that brought much of what I’ve been thinking about into focus. You know, turning your ideas into action can be as simple as someone you admire telling you: DO IT.

She told me to do it. So now, I’m doing it.

Here’s my new project: balance for myself.

Every day, I fight with myself over balance.

I struggle to keep myself in the moment.

Every second, my brain decides to wander off or crackle with 10 other subjects, each buzzing with distraction.

I obsessively make lists of tasks to complete. I seriously have 3 or 4 notebooks that I actively use to record different to-dos.

I overbook, overextend, overschedule, and overindulge.

It’s just not working for me.

So, I’m going to give myself time to seek out balance in little ways. I’m not talking about jetting off to another country  ala Eat Pray Love. I’m not talking about making dramatic changes to my life. I’m talking about little, realistic changes to rid myself of energy zapping gremlins that seem to keep me from doing the things I really want to be doing. I’m talking about staying the moment and coming to appreciate it (there’ll be more on this later with something else I have in mind, thanks to Ash’s inspiration). I’m also talking about kicking my own ass about certain decisions made (or lack thereof).

This will be a place for me to be honest with myself and share my thoughts, feelings, and reactions as I experiment with my life and my relationship with balance.

Somewhere along the way, I’m planning on doing some soul searching to figure out what exactly I want to be doing with my time, as I’m finding myself in one of those positions where 15 different things sound ideal. Oh, if only I could be independently wealthy and a woman of leisure – but I’ll save that fantasy for another post.

Alright. Deep breath. I’m ready to begin.