Who Else Wants a Creative Outlet?

I’ve struggled over the past couple years to find my entrepreneurial outlet. I’ve had a few good ideas about websites, blogs or podcast businesses to start. I’ve even started some of them. But until now, I stopped each of them when I hit roadblocks.

Some of the roadblocks (at least in my mind) were:

• I don’t know enough about that topic.
• I’m not interested enough in that topic to put in the time to become successful.
• I don’t have time.

I suppose we all feel we don’t have time to add more activities to life. Yet we all have time to do the things we really want to do.

So WHY do we really want to start something else?

Coming up with your why is critical to keep your side business/hobby going. Create your own short list for this to really stick. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Exercise creativity. You’ll have to push past some comfort levels to excel in a side business or hobby. You’ll think outside the box and that creativity will spread to other areas of your life.
• Earn extra income. If you’re on a Financial Freedom mission, you might need to earn more than you’re bringing in from your day job.
• Begin a lifestyle business/passion/hobby. Maybe your Financial Freedom vision involves a different lifestyle than you’re able to maintain in your current job. You might have to get your own thing going if you want to do your work at the beach.
• Increase energy. I’ve found that I have more energy for all my other tasks when I’m actively engaging in a business or hobby that I have a passion for.
• Improve attitude. Same deal as energy. I’m happier and more enthusiastic throughout the day if I am active in my passion work.
• Set an example. For me it is very important that my kids see me as someone who follows his passion. I want them to think entrepreneurially, creatively and artistically. I want them to know that we live in the most exciting time ever to live our dreams. Try new stuff. I never want them to feel trapped in a job they don’t like.

That’s why. Keep your list of why’s in front of you.

Now figure out how. There’s always a way. A few keys that are helping me with the how:

1. Determine WHAT you are passionate about. Or WHAT opportunity you see that you feel will fascinate you long enough to stick with it through the tough parts of building.
2. Figure out a place WHERE you’ll do your craft. My wife and I set up a desk and bought a new chair at Staples(on sale, of course).
3. Decide WHEN you’ll work. Specifically. Consistently. I struggled with this one. I tried early mornings. Too groggy. I tried afternoons. Too distracting. Then Becky said to me “You’re a night owl. You should stay up and work from 8pm to 11pm each night.” That has worked perfectly for the past month. Test out your own time then stick to it.
4. Do the Work. One of my favorite authors for motivation in creative ventures is Steven Pressfield. Check out The War of Art, Do The Work and Turning Pro. All three books are fantastic and will help keep you motivated to create something valuable.

I’m having a blast writing these posts each night. After setting up the time and place and making Doing The Work a habit, my mind is freed up to have fun writing about topics I enjoy. Hope you enjoy reading them.

Next Action: Come up with a strong enough WHY to push you to try for the how. I’d love to hear what you come up with.