Why The Idea of Trying To Get It “Perfect” May Prevent Any Action In The First Place
Sketched By: Pierre “P-Black” (My Older Brother)
It is exactly 11:11 pm on Thursday night as I begin to write this post. Chills begin to enter my chest area, which means that my heart chakra is being activated. These chills turn into goose bumps that go from my chest into my entire upper body.
Almost as a tingly feeling that runs through my body that tells me that what I am about to write on here is coming from my spirit. I tend to do get into a great flow in my writing when it is around this hour at night.
I was thinking today over and again about what I wanted to write. An inspired thought occurred to me about this whole creative process of writing in general. I have come to a very quick realization that the whole concept of perfection seems very amazing to focus on and aspire to, but to consistently try to make things appear “perfect” may prevent any action from taking place to begin with.
Many times, I’ve had a flash of insight or amazing idea, but since I didn’t act on it at that moment, the moment and energy behind that great idea was lost. I figured that when great ideas come, it really is my responsibility to act on it at that moment. If not, I run the risk of further stagnation and a feeling of hesitancy, this feeling leads to feeling uninspired.
Maybe, the whole concept of trying to perfect things to the point of it not allowing us to take inspired action is something we can all learn from.
How many times in your life have you had a great idea, and just let it pass for whatever reason, only later to find out that someone else took the idea, ran with it and is in the flow of an idea you probably could’ve been very successful with and in the flow with as well?
I am not the type to regret things very easily. I make decisions based on my intuitive hunches/gut, and at this moment I feel the desire to tell my readers that if you have an inspired idea flash towards you, grab that idea and take it to the limit. Take that idea as far as you possibly can, without any doubts or hesitancy. You see I think the universe really rewards those that are consistently taking inspired action on ideas. Although many times our rational mind tries to prevent these from happen, the only danger really is that our rational mind comes to the point where it just completely stops the action all together.
In my own life, my best work has come when I am in the state of amazing flow, and not concerned too much with perfection end result, but more focused on the enjoyment of the entire process of creating whatever it is I am creating at the moment. The irony is the more I focus on the process in the moment, the better the end result actually becomes.
The whole concept of trying to make something perfect can prevent inspired action, because the rational mind at times tries to doubt the process and find all these many ways that cannot work, if you continue to give in to this rational mind too much, you run the risk of not taking action at all. You may begin your sentences either in your head, or out loud to others, “It is a great idea, BUT _________”
Instead of feeding that doubt and fear by beginning your sentence in this manner, instead choose something more positive and productive such as, “It is a great idea, and here are some great steps I can take today to make this happen ______________”
When doubt or fear begins to arise again, you simply just have to continue to trust your gut and move in that direction of excitement and joy. This is the greatest secret. If you understand and apply this secret to success, you will understand what it truly means to live a very amazing and full life. The idea of following my highest excitement is something I continually do in real life, and it continues to work very well for me, as it allows me that space to continue to take action from inspiration and joy.
You see, when we begin to shift our mindset of what “can work” versus all the reasons why something “can’t work” we begin to operate from a place of hope and excitement. This is the energy of hope and excitement is what fuels anything truly satisfying from happening in our lives.
I would suggest if you have had some inspirational ideas crossed your mind lately, to simply write it down and work on a plan to get that idea into something tangible. Too easily we forget the importance of writing down a great idea, and it just ends up becoming that, “just another great idea.” Begin to get in the habit of writing down ideas down that feel like inspired. This is the first step in making the idea a reality, and propels you towards the appropriate actions.
I actually have a notebook next to my bed, so when I wake up from my sleep and feel an inspired idea come to me as I wake up, I simply write down the idea down on my notebook. That way the idea doesn’t get lost, and it is something I can begin to tangiably start taking action towards making a reality.
Remember, don’t put too much focus on making it “perfect” work with the momentum and feeling of inspiration instead, I think you will be very surprised at the results. Focus also more on the process, versus the end result. Your ability to be focused in the present moment while working from a place of inspiration is where the juice of it all resides. To truly understand this, is to know success at its very essence.
I would say that it is better to take action on something that feels very inspired and have that project or idea “fail” than to not take action at all, and get stuck in regret and complacency.
The best part about taking action on something that feels like it is coming from inspiration is that it develops momentum into effective production and results, because the action is coming from an honest place deep within the core of your being.
Perfection may be attainable, but you will never really know unless you are out there building from a place of inspiration to begin with. The next time an inspired thought comes flashing towards you, lesson the volume on your doubting/hesitant mind until it quites down completley, because you are about to take some really amazing inspired action into the direction of your wildest dreams.
If this post inspires you please hit the Tweet button and Facebook Button at the top of this blog post and share the inspiraton with others. Thank you!!!
With Inspired Action,
Hey Baker,
I really like the points you make. As scary as some ideas may be, I make an effort to respect them by at least taking some immediate action on them. I find that magical things happen when you take inspired action. People and circumstances seem to conspire in your favor. A friend of mine gave me a quote recently that I really like, “Jump and the net will appear.” Well, maybe she just gave that to me because I’m in the circus.
Take care!
Ben
Ben Weston´s last blog ..How to Run Away and Join the Circus!
Baker, a very powerful, honest post – thank you again for sharing your insights.
These words you wrote are just so true: “Many times, I’ve had a flash of insight or amazing idea, but since I didn’t act on it at that moment, the moment and energy behind that great idea was lost.” It is if the energy dissipates, and it does not return again with the flow that first came. And also as if the rush of energy is telling us, yes, go ahead, to confirm our intuition and inner knowing.
Why then do we ignore these promptings so often? As you point out, it is often doubt and fear that hold us back or frighten us out of acting on what we truly know is right in the moment.
I really appreciated this post, Baker, and the wonderful encouragement you give in your words:
“The next time an inspired thought comes flashing towards you, lesson the volume on your doubting/hesitant mind until it quites down completley, because you are about to take some really amazing inspired action into the direction of your wildest dreams.”
From the mountains of Japan – Catrien Ross. P.S. Please drop by and look at another way of acting in the moment – as a samurai horseback archer!
Catrien Ross´s last blog ..Catrien Ross on Hitting Your Target at Full Gallop – Personal Growth Inspiration from Samurai Horse Archers at Mount Fuji
There’s a lot of power in inspired action.
I find that combining disciplined action with inspired action leads to great results. In fact, it’s disciplined action that sets me up for more inspired action moments. It’s like training to the point where performance is easy.
To catch more of my inspired moments, I try to find friction free ways of capturing stages of my idea … so I can pick up where I left off, or get out as much as I can while I’m in the moment.
What I found doesn’t work for me is missing those inspired moments, thinking that I’ll be able to recreate them when I need them. Instead, it’s much more effective for me to leverage them as I go.
J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Lessons Learned from Steve Pavlina
Hi Baker,
You’re inspiring by example and props to your brother’s work of art.
Coming from a background where ‘perfection’ was encouraged, I have found it invaluable to work from inspiration. I particularly resonated with, “When doubt or fear begins to arise again, you simply just have to continue to trust your gut and move in that direction of excitement and joy.” This helps me take risks and explore possibilities. We can’t ‘know’ without experiencing for ourselves.
Be well,
Kim
Kim´s last blog ..Self-Discovery: Step Outside Yourself for a New Perspective
Hey Baker
It’s amazing how much of me I can find in that post. You have good points and you’re inspiring, as always. I usually like to comfort myself with the thought, that if it was a really great idea, it would be impossible to find a but, so that I will not feel bad for all the missed opportunities. That’s actually stupid and I’ll stop doing that.
Thanks and take care,
teo
Hey Ben,
I appreciate your feedback. I really like that quote that you friend gave you. I thnk that is really cool that you are in the circus. Have a great rest of the week ahead!!!
“Many times, I’ve had a flash of insight or amazing idea, but since I didn’t act on it at that moment, the moment and energy behind that great idea was lost.” Oh Dude, we so think in tandem. I wrote something very similar and it was even on my mind last night which is why I woke up especially to text myself some ideas I’d had during the night.
Eloquent article.
Amit Sodha – The Power Of Choice´s last blog ..Have You Learned Your Lessons Yet?
Hello Catrien,
Thank you for your very nice words. I am so glad that the post resonates well with you. I would say doubt, fear, and social conditioning tries to always limit our unlimited possibilites as humans to create what we intend to create, realizing our wildest dreams. Have a blessed week!!!
Hello J.D,
Yes, I would agree that having that daily disciplined inspired action is key. Also, I enjoy reading your blogs as well. Have a great week ahead.
Hey Kim!
Glad to see you stopping by. I am grateful for your kind words and wonderful feedback. Yah also I can relate coming from my background, a lot of pressure to be “perfect” was also evident growing up. Hope you have a very wonderful rest of the week.
Hey Teo,
Oh no it isn’t “stupid” it’s really just a different mindset. If you begin to focus more on what is going well and flow in that direction, it is a lot easier to stay in your own flow, and you will be suprised with the amazing results you get.
Hey Amit,
Yeah, that is interesting, because I was really inspired to write this post and it just flowed out of me. Don’t you love those synchronistic events!?
Baker –
You’re a really creative guy and this is an insight into why. I have two takes on perfection. Part of me dismisses the concept as impossible and a constraint on action. I’ve had times when I’ve stopped myself from acting for fear of not being perfect. Yet another part of me is starting to believe that creation is so wonderful that everything that happens in the moment can be perfect. This can empower us to make the absolute most of right now. Keep on creating joyfully and you’ll be perfect for us.
Phil
Phil – Less Ordinary Living´s last blog ..15 Secrets to Thriving in the 21st Century Workplace –Part 1
Hey Phil,
Thanks for the feedback. I would say that the latter is a much more freeing space and keeps us in flow. Have an amazing rest of the week.
This post reminds me of the Goette quote:
‘Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius power and magic in it’.
Winton Bates´s last blog ..Would an hedonimeter help us to choose between push-pin and poetry?
Hi Winton,
Nice quote.
Baker: Great post. Thanks for sharing it. I really thought what you said was amazingly helpful…follow your excitement and joy. It is amazing how much better we can perform and what we can produce when we excited and have joy about what we are doing. It really is about the process and how able we are to pour our passion and excitement into what we are doing. It just makes everything so much more rewarding and really helps things to unfold.
THank you Sibly for your wonderful feedback, hope to see you back on here again soon! Have a very great week ahead!!!
Baker my man!! I always try and read up on your post and I really like everything you are talkin about. Speak on brotha like always and continue to inspire folks! I’m 100% with you on this post and feel the same way and adapted these skills before myself. So essential to be balanced. See ya man! Peace!
Thanks Mr. Zuleta. I am glad you find value in some of things I am writing on here. I really appreciate the feedback!
To take no action is an action. So, you really need to push yourself to do something no matter how small the task may seem. That way you take baby steps to accomplish your goal but don’t get too overwhelmed by a overwhelming task.
Pat M´s last blog ..Self Defense
Hello Pat M. Yes Baby steps is what makes it happen and gets you into momentum to tackle the bigger things.
Hi Baker. This post has been a theme throughout my entire life. I have had numerous ideas, so many I can’t even count them all. I felt extremely inspired and “gung-ho” about my potential idea, but then as the days go by my rational mind began to speak to me and tell me the many reasons why that particular idea would not work. I still wrestle with this problem but nowadays, I have more control over my rational mind. Years ago my rational mind would have talked me out of starting a blog about living your dreams and realizing your potential. I still have many, many ideas in my head that I fight with my rational mind about that I would love to see come to fruition. It is a constant battle, but I refuse to let my rational mind win. Thanks for this post, it helps me to know that other people feel the same way that I do.
TheDreamKeeper´s last blog ..DreamKillers
Hello
Oh wow. Yes this is a theme that has come up in my life a lot lately. The trick is to enjoy the process and flow with in joy. That’s where life becomes exciting.