#146 Shadow Artistry

ByLukas
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Shadow writer – someone who holds a secret desire, maybe even an irresistible urge to write but is afraid of being criticized – so their words never even make it on the page.

Shadow runner – someone who’d love to run a marathon but doesn’t believe they could train consistently enough to make it happen – so their legs never even take them on a single run.

Shadow singer – someone who loves singing but believes nobody will like their voice anyway – so their song never even reaches past the shower cabin.

Shadow entrepreneur – someone who has a big life-changing vision, but keeps it hidden out of fear of being ridiculed, dismissed, or ignored – so their ideas never even make it out of hiding.

Where are you staying in the shadow of your own self-denial?

Which daily Tiny Trust Builders could help you to step out of that shadow – and do what you always wanted to do?

It’s time.

(If this resonates, you might want to read The Artist’s Way)

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#243 Mending the Misunderstanding

ByLukas

We all live in a maze of mistranslations and misunderstandings about who we think you are and who others think we are.

Now, by lack of a way to know who we truly are, misunderstandings can be comforting, my friend; there’s no doubt about that.

But when you get so lost in the maze that it causes suffering, it might be time to start mending the misunderstandings.

Could it be that mending is nothing more than making another mistranslation about who we are that makes us happier?

After all, I can perceive myself as a struggling writer or a skilled wordsmith – both perspectives hold their truths.

It’s the power of our misunderstandings that molds our reality.

#339 The fear that stops you the most

ByLukas

If you knew you’d always feel unsatisfied with what you write, would you still let satisfaction play a role in your writing process?

If you knew your writing would always be criticized by others, no matter how good it is, would you still let their criticism determine whether you should publish?

If you’d take the fear that stops you the most and rob it of its power, would you write and publish more?

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#109 Now is the time to put my heart on the line

ByLukas

Now is the time to put my heart on the line.

Because whatever I do at this very moment is a direct vote for who I want to be.

But before I let the gravity of the moment paralyze me, I realize – this is not my first vote, and it won’t be my last.

Another present moment will soon arrive, and with the passing of time, another opportunity to put my heart on the line.

Too much pressure on one moment leads to perfectionism and paralysis.

Too much focus on “this one moment doesn’t matter” leads to defeatism and lethargy.

Be intentional about the present moment because it’s the only vote you can directly influence.

Then be aware of the aggregate of your actions because your identity emerges from the majority of your votes.

Who do you choose to be?

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#34 Where else?

ByLukas

Regularly asking “Where else?” is one of the simplest ways to become more creative and generate innovative insights.

Not only does this allow you to connect new insights with existing knowledge and experience, but it also invites you to imagine new use cases.

  • “Where else have I seen this (or something similar) before?”
  • “Where else does this apply (to my current knowledge)?”
  • “Where else might this apply (in contexts where I haven’t discovered it yet)?”

Examples

Harvard Medical School professor Herbert Benson suggests the neurotransmitter NO (Nitric Oxide) may be the catalyst for breakthroughs and “aha moments.”
Where else have I seen this before? -> Pranayama/Yogic Breathing: Nasal breathing (and humming “om”) can increase nitric oxide production fifteen-fold. Humming your way to epiphanies might be worth a try.

Learning a language by grouping words instead of reducing it to words and grammar. Where else does this apply? -> Conversation Based Chunking; learning series of digits by grouping them together;… See: chunking concept in cognitive psychology

Uber made it possible for people to share/rent out their car.
Where else might this apply? -> How about sharing/renting out your home? That’s how AirBnB was born.

You don’t have to look elsewhere.
See what’s already there, then ask…
Where else?

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