Creating requires a leap of faith, every day

March 14, 2012 by 4 Comments

Writing, creating, making changes.

All of them require a leap of faith.

I’ve been making a series of leaps over time.

I left my “great” job as an urban designer to become a coach. I put myself out there as a coach for sensitive souls. I’ve grown a business out of nothing.

I’ve claimed my dream of being a writer, and I’m making it happen. One word at a time.

Each of these mega leaps has required many mini leaps.

And I’ve realized that every day when I sit down to write, or put myself out there to be seen in some way, I am taking a leap of faith again.

With every single word I put on the page or on the web, I’m taking a risk that I’ll be seen as wrong, foolish, or stupid. I’m also taking the risk that my work will be valued and well-received. Often when I push the publish button, I DON’T KNOW which of those it will be.

It’s scary.

It requires a leap of faith to see it through.

I believe that all creating is like this. It is terrifying to make ourselves vulnerable in this way. To be seen, heard, and read by people we don’t know who may judge us or not like what we have to say.

In fact, I know there are people out there who do not like what I have to say. And there are probably people who won’t like what you have to say either.

Is that a good reason not to say it?

What about all the other people who want to hear it?

What if?

What if there isn’t anyone who is interested? What if you offend everyone?

First, I doubt that there isn’t anyone who is interested.

But secondly, if it were true that you did offend everyone, what if it was a good thing? What if you pissed us all off enough to wake us up out of the stupor we walk around in? What if it made us fight back against things we don’t like?

Art is a powerful catalyst and it deserves to be treated with reverence.

Treat your art with the fierce and reverent commitment required to bring it to the world. It’s a powerful antidote to the doubt and fear you’re likely to experience along the way.

Your turn

Sparks? Share them.

Warmly,

 Jenna

Expand your Spotlight Comfort Zone
With practical and spiritual tools to help you get there
In a safe, sensitive-friendly 6-week study group

If you want to summon your courage and step into YOUR spotlight, join my upcoming Spotlight Study Group, where we’ll have a safe, sensitive-friendly, small, intimate coaching group to clear up the fears, doubts, old wounds, and other obstacles to claiming your place in front of your audience — where you belong.
 
Starts May 1. Early registration ends Sunday, April 15th. Details are here.
 
 
Questions? Email my team.
 

 

Coming Attractions

~> March 15th, 2012. Last day to register for the next session of my Writer’s Circle session starting on March 19th. Get my Free Writing Tips series too, and receive a coupon for a savings on your first 4 week session. Sign up here.

~> March 27th, 2012. My teleclass, “Sensitives in the Spotlight: How Artists, Writers, Hermits & Introverts can Navigate a Call to the Public Eye,” will be held on March 27th at 3 p.m Pacific Time (4 Mountain, 5 Central, 6 Eastern, Midnight GMT). Find out more and register here. 

~> March 27th, 2012. Last day to register for my next Life Purpose Breakthrough Group on April 24th. Only 4 spots are available and these groups consistently sell out, so if you’d like to join me, reserve your spot ASAP. Register here.

 

What I'm Up To

~> Ongoing. Writing in the ProSeries class at ScreenwritingU, which was recently named the #1 screenwriting class by InkTip. We just started a new module called “First Ten Pages.”

~> Daily and especially Fridays. Sacred writing time. The Do Not Disturb sign is up.

~> OMG Super Eight! Why didn’t you tell me it was so good? I also watched In The Bedroom. Not for the faint of heart to be sure. The fun reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to my son continues. I asked him if he was going to play soccer like his cousin and he said, “Well…., I’d rather play Quidditch.” A regular chip off the old block.

Filed Under: Creativity Tagged With: , , , , ,

The First Step to Finding Your Audience Is A Leap Of Faith

January 4, 2011 by 33 Comments

Someone wrote in recently to ask for advice about doing intuitive work to fulfill her calling. She mentioned that people might think she was crazy to do such work. I remembered when I first started coaching and I was terrified to call myself a “spiritual coach” for fear of what people would think.

The good news is that when you get yourself aligned with what you want to do, and start doing it, there ARE people who are excited, interested, and looking for just what you have to offer. You have to be willing to take the leap of faith to believe in your dream and put it out there so that your people can find you. So,

  • Start writing the book (or blog or screenplay).
  • Start making the art, the jewelry, the clothes.
  • Take a stab at a new way of doing things.
  • Start offering the service you know you really want to offer, no matter how crazy it will seem to some people (the key word is some).
  • Start sharing YOUR perspective on what’s working and what’s not and what we can do about it.
  • Be a little reckless about putting yourself out there the way YOU want to be seen.
  • Don’t be afraid of what so-and-so will think, focus instead on the people who ARE your business — the ones who will say, “I want that!”
  • Pick the odd, quirky, unusual, and specific thing that makes you YOU and gets you all hopped up to do.
  • And GO FOR IT!

On the other hand, there will ALSO be people who will NOT like what you are doing. They will be the naysayers and doubters. Sometimes they will give you useful feedback to help you refine your vision and dream, but more often than not, they will shoot down your efforts because they are afraid to make their own. Naysayers often are too afraid to take action themselves, and instead find negative things to point out about what you’re doing. They project their fear right onto you.

So it’s up to you to choose wisely who you listen to, to be your own biggest fan and greatest supporter, and to surround yourself with people who are not just “yes men” but who honestly, truly, and deeply believe that you are here to do something powerful, to create something amazing, and to change the world.

First you have to take the leap of faith yourself.

I believe in your vision.

Welcome to 2011.


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If this sparked anything for you, please share it in the comments section below. I always love to hear from you.


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What’s Jenna Up To?

~> January 21st & 22nd, 2011. Voice Your Vision Mastermind Retreat. In-Person Workshop in Berkeley, California. Clarify your unique vision to implement your Life Purpose in a specific, step-by-step plan. TWO SPOTS remaining. This small group retreat is perfect for you if you know your purpose but you’re wondering, “What’s next?” Details: www.VoiceYourVisionWithJenna.com

~> January 27th & 28th, 2011. “Powerful Strategies to Slay Your Inner Critic Demons So You Can Leap Into the Creative Spotlight.” Appearing as a guest expert at Baeth Davis’s “Claim Your Spotlight” program in Los Angeles, California.

~> February 10, 2011. Virtual Workshop: Claim Your Calling: 5 Steps To Get You Back On Track With What You Were Put Here To Do. Details. Early registration ends January 13th.

Filed Under: Creativity, Quiet Your Inner Critic Tagged With: , , , ,