let it be.
On my playlist:
Let It Be - Jill Scott
“let it be, whatever it is, whatever it is let it be, let it be, whatever it is let it be, let it be, let it…”
I have decided that whether this offering is a failure or a success, whether it exceeds my wildest dreams or falls flat, whatever it may turn out to be I will at least allow it to be. So often I have allowed the fear of ‘what if’ to rob me from ever trying. It goes like this: I have an idea, decide to pursue it, and do a bit of excited planning. Out of nowhere, thoughts of all the ‘what ifs’ swoop in. In the past, I have allowed those thoughts to slow my momentum, steal my joy, and render me paralyzed, resigned to simply dream or busy myself with planning that never evolves into action. Not anymore. This journal and podcast will be.
take a listen to the digital journal.
And more ideas after this one will definitely see the light of day, as well. The truth is that other people (some with far worse offerings) are fearlessly letting their voices be heard, their ideas have space, and their dreams become realities. So why not me too? I am excited to do more with my ideas. So that I remember going forward, I’ve noted a few reminders to myself about how NOT to kill an idea in its infancy. Perhaps there’s a seed or two here for you as well…
The Goldilocks Plan
Having a well-thought-out plan that takes key factors into consideration is of vital importance. I always preach that to anyone who will listen and I likely always will. However, there is a danger in seeking the ‘perfect’ plan. We all know, ‘perfect’ just does not exist. In the planning phase, I need to ensure I don’t put so much time and detail into planning that I needlessly delay the MVP (minimum viable product). The phase that immediately follows the planning phase is the one that will give me the crucial data I need. By delaying it, I cripple myself. I can’t spend so much time formulating a plan that is ‘just right’ only to never implement any plan at all. (side note: God’s plan is the one that will actually prevail in the end so I need not waste time or energy overthinking my own.)
On the flip side, I want to avoid putting so little time and effort into my plan that I aimlessly waste or overlook resources because of the lack of direction.
The Fix: create draft 1 of the plan and implement it! What’s most important is to get the idea down on paper and into the world so it can live and breathe. I can then allow the data I gather to clarify and improve my plan going forward. God guides feet that are in motion.
The Rule of ‘Too’
Great ideas are exciting. The temptation is to share those ideas with everyone you love (and/or strangers you’ve connected with) so they can share your excitement. But, in the words of my girl Jill Scott, “Everythang ain’t for everybody”. Unfortunately, everyone will not be excited for me. I must remember that if I share too many details with too many people too soon, I could expose myself (and my fragile idea) to some unintended consequences. In one scenario, I risk drowning in the haterade brewed by those without vision. I risk subjecting my new baby idea to the cruel (often illogical) court of public opinion where the fears of others could stoke, reinforce, bolster, or even awaken my own fears. In another scenario, I risk being gassed up by those who mean well but simply aren’t educated or experienced enough in the area of my idea to properly advise me.
The Fix: form my board of trustees. This board of trustees is a group of people I can run ideas by and lean on for expert advice, encouragement, and support. I like the idea of having different boards for different areas of life (i.e. personal, business, marriage, motherhood, etc.) Most importantly, I can depend on my trustees for confirmation of the word God has already spoken to me (because of course, His is the very first opinion I will seek).
“Why, do do do, I, I, I, I feel trapped inside a box when I just don’t fit into it. Maybe I’ve been scared knowing what’s there in front of me. Maybe I’ve been tryna be what they needed me to be. When I shoulda just been me…” Let it Be, Jill Scott
The Land of ‘What If’
This is the birthplace of the Goldilocks Plan. When starting a new project or moving forward on a new idea, the research phase (much like the planning phase) is vital and is a step that should not be neglected. However, research is just generalized book knowledge before you have any hard data to filter through it. I can be guided by best practices and what has worked for others but before I take any action on my idea, I won’t have any concrete data at all. I must take care not to set up residence in the Land of What If, where hypotheticals and emotion-driven actions roam freely, unencumbered by logic or fact.
The Fix: Challenge ‘what if’ with what is. I need to move forward, gather factual data, and improve future decisions armed with what did, what is, and what did not vs. what if.
Avoiding these three idea killers gives my idea a chance to actually become fully formed and be birthed before I decide that it will not be. I trust I will revisit these reminders often as I release more ideas into the world.
I pray something you have read here inspires, empowers, or encourages you to be brave, be honest, and be well.
Until next time,
- nikk
Note: although AI is a super dope tool, all of these words are written directly from my own mind, unenhanced by technology. :)