Why Creatives May Not Follow Their Own Advice
Fall mums front porch view.
On a recent coaching call, I had yet another Aha moment. I often learn best in servant mode.
We were talking about the importance of setting goals, and taking the time to create and incorporate them into our schedules. In this moment, I had a “Fly On The Wall (FOTW)” experience, watching the interaction between the two of us as if I were observing instead of engaging.
As I listened to my clients’ reasons for not having goals set, and for needing to prepare first (so she would be a better goal setter), I heard myself loud and clear.
I coach on setting goals all the time, and yet I struggle with following my own advice. Here are a few of my well-rehearsed reasons why:
1. I’m too busy today, I’ll schedule it for next Tuesday afternoon (cycle repeats next week).
2. I’ll get it done, but first I need to read that book I heard about called “Setting Goals like a Boss Babe”. (order placed and received, first three chapters read, then placed on the Shelf of Misfit Books).
3. Let me look for those notes from that free session on Creating a Business Plan. I’ll re-read the presentation, then I’ll be ready. (nope)
Do you find yourself in my list, or do you have your own to add?
Hearing myself coaching on this critical pillar for success, I quickly turned the mirror on myself and wondered, once again, why do I struggle to take my own advice?
And then it hit me.
I am a creative. Not so much with my hands, but with my love of performing in community theater. For me, there is something magical about becoming someone else, bringing a director’s vision to life and carrying an audience along for the ride.
And I am also a creative with my intuitive coaching gifts. I am in full alignment when I am guiding a client in reaching their highest potential. As I discern what they need to hear, I can guide them with confidence and knowing. These are often even more FOTW moments for me.
Setting goals is necessary to achieve that alignment with the life my clients were made for. So naturally that is a part of what we work on together.
So why am I so much less inspired when it comes to setting my own goals?
In that moment, I realized the process of creating and scheduling goals isn’t a creative one, but more of an administrative one. And that is much less satisfying, at least in the short term.
Of course there is some creative expression in the building of the goals. But for me, and I suspect for many other creatives, setting, breaking down and scheduling goals is still much more administrative…and much less exciting.
It’s not that I don’t have huge plans, and it’s not even that I’m afraid of failure (which I definitely used to be). It’s just not as creatively expressive for me.
Not to mention the fact that goal setting is a longer game. I’ve always been much more impulsive (just ask my husband). Gimme the goods and the results now please!
I joined a Small Group Mastermind this fall where goal setting and measuring is a key component of our time together. And it has been invaluable to me. I have taken the time to set goals, write them down, evaluate my progress against them and track my progress. And it has been mind-shifting.
Perhaps it was just the right time (this isn’t my first Mastermind/Accountability ride). But I have finally found a rhythm that feels aligned. I am setting goals, celebrating myself as I progress and am actually looking forward to the next round. And for me, that IS creative!
Find a way to make goal setting a creative expression for yourself and see where it takes you. Join a Mastermind or Accountability Group. Find your own or inquire about mine.
For me, I can finally say, with full authenticity:
Do as I say, AND as I do!
Together we rise!
Xoxo
Dawn