Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become, and the hours of practice, and the coaches who have pushed you, is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back… play for her.
~ Annie Mist Þórisdóttir
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Unstuck with Robbie Swale
How can individuals overcome barriers to starting and continuing creative projects?
A 12-minute train ride sparks the idea for a method that helps people overcome procrastination.
The creative hell of having something that you know you want to do and haven’t done, is much worse than having done it and it gone wrong.
~ Robbie Swale (2:26)
The conversation explores the challenges and processes involved in creative work, starting with the guest’s ambitious goal to appear on 100 podcasts within a year. This goal is tied to promoting a book and sharing a method designed to help people overcome procrastination. The “12-minute method,” inspired by quick train commutes, emphasizes short, focused creative sessions followed by immediate sharing, reducing the barriers to starting and completing creative projects. The discussion includes reflections on the emotional struggles associated with creative paralysis and the relief of simply beginning, regardless of the outcome.
Another topic discussed is personal branding, as Robbie shares how his identity has evolved across multiple roles—author, coach, and podcaster. He discusses the difficulty of balancing different audiences and platforms while maintaining a cohesive brand. This is paired with insights into the art of having meaningful conversations, whether in podcasts or personal interactions, and the transformative power of stripping away non-essential elements in both creative and conversational practices.
Takeaways
Overcoming procrastination — A structured, time-bound approach like the 12-minute method can break the inertia of creative blocks.
Sharing ideas without perfection — The act of publishing or sharing unfinished work can be more valuable than over-refining it.
Personal branding evolution — Presenting multiple facets of oneself requires careful thought to maintain coherence and accessibility.
The power of focused work — Even a short, focused effort repeated consistently can result in substantial achievements.
The value of conversations — Generative discussions can lead to new insights and deeper understanding, often surpassing solo reflection.
Balancing roles — Managing separate but overlapping audiences demands strategic decisions about branding and communication.
The impact of challenges — Setting ambitious goals can drive growth and learning, even if the goal itself is not fully achieved.
Resources
Robbie Swale’s website — Includes information on coaching and personal projects.
The 12-Minute Method — A series of books focused on creativity and overcoming procrastination, based on the guest’s personal writing journey.
The Coach’s Journey Podcast — A podcast created by the guest to support and inspire coaches in their professional journeys.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Coming back
Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.
~ Terry Pratchett
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Refuge
We all have so much power that we don’t use. And I think it’s because of cynicism, which is a toxic spiritual state. Cynicism is a refuge for cowards.
~ Cory Booker
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Refuge for cowards
We all have so much power that we don’t use. And I think it’s because of cynicism, which is a toxic spiritual state. Cynicism is a refuge for cowards.
~ Cory Booker
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I’m not sure what to think about the “spiritual” bit. I’d need to hear Booker explain what he means by that. This week, it seems, I’m on a language bender. And here’s something that really freakin’ matters…
Does Booker mean “Cynicism”, as in the proper noun, the state of being a Cynic…
For the [ancient] Cynics, the purpose of life is to live in virtue, in agreement with nature. As reasoning creatures, people can gain happiness by rigorous training and by living in a way which is natural for themselves, rejecting all conventional desires for wealth, power, and fame, and even flouting conventions openly and derisively in public. Instead, they were to lead a simple life free from all possessions.
~ Wikipedia from, Cynicism (philosophy)
…which isn’t my cup of tea, but doesn’t sound that bad. Or does Booker mean the contemporary adjective “cynicism”, simply capitalized because it’s starting a sentence…
Cynicism is an attitude characterized by a general distrust of others’ motives. A cynic may have a general lack of faith or hope in people motivated by ambition, desire, greed, gratification, materialism, goals, and opinions that a cynic perceives as vain, unobtainable, or ultimately meaningless and therefore deserving of ridicule or admonishment.
~ Wikipedia from, Cynicism (contemporary)
…also not my preferred cup of tea, although I do sometimes partake.
When I first read that quote I wondered if he was referring to Cynicism, before deciding he clearly meant cynicism. I’d wager you read that quote and didn’t wonder at any time which he meant. (I’m not criticizing, only pointing at the marvelous process of understanding language.) My question for myself today is:
While I see the nuance around that word in this quote, where am I not seeing nuance that I should be?
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Change
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
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Not just reflecting
… there are two ways to go through life, as a thermometer or a thermostat. Don’t be a thermometer, just reflecting what’s aound you, going up or down with your surroundings. Be a thermostat and set the temperature.
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Win by deception
Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.
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Deception
Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.
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I love language. Is Machiavelli suggesting less total violence, or more total deception? Or does it suggest that any amount of violence and deception, (including even, more violence than deception,) is fine, so long as you consider deception as your preferred method? Wait. What is the purpose of the word “attempt”? Is it okay to succeed by force, regardless of the possibility of succeeding using deception? Wait, no it’s worse than that even: “Never attempt to win … can be won …” — Is it okay if my aim is simply to sow chaos, without actually attempting to win via either method? Or, what if I attempt to win through some other means, (via kindness or merit or nimble maneuvering or bribery perhaps)?
But I do so love language.
Because despite all those perfectly logical nits that can be picked, it’s a brilliant sentence—even translated into English—packing insight and wisdom which we all grasp instantly and intuitively.
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Audience
Elisa Graf is both a writer and an editor and has started a podcast called Mystic Takeaway. She loves stories about the transcendent and the everyday world colliding, and the surprise, joy, and wonder that ensues. Her podcast showcases extraordinary stories of mysterious encounters and miraculous healings.
In our conversation, we found ourselves talking about podcast show statistics. They come up often when people first dive into podcasting. Everyone quickly realizes there’s an array of numbers that can be tracked. But what do those numbers mean? What numbers should we be shooting for? What does a “download” or “listener” even mean? But rather than dive into techno-babble, I was curious about what first surprised Elisa about podcasting stats when she published her podcast.
Excellence
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
~ Sun Tzu
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Supreme excellence
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
~ Sun Tzu
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First thought: What if the enemy is myself? Surely, Sun Tzu would consul alternative options which do not involve full frontal attack. Because telling my petulant self that it has to sit down and “Eat. Just. One. Pea!” …that’s not going to work. (Actually, hold on, maybe if I try frontal assault one more time… nope, that really does not work.)
How does one break one’s own resistance? Can I ruminate on goals, or the “whys”? (e.g., “Why did I say I wanted to do this thing you’re now resisting?”) Can I examine, and then let go of, sunk costs? Can I visualize the finished place, state, or situation?
If I could do any of that, would I have then solved the bigger problem: Why am I [in point of fact] my own worst enemy?
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Conformity
When you do as everyone else does, don’t be surprised when you get what everyone else gets.
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Playful, open-minded, unrestrained
Celebrate the childlike mind. From what I can see, the best scientists and engineers nurture a childlike mind. They are playful, open-minded, and unrestrained by the inner voice of reason, collective cynicism, or fear of failure.
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Moving with Sarah Mohr
What roles do movement, play, and internal-external balance play in human connection and self-expression?
The balance between internal and external experiences shapes how individuals perceive and express themselves.
Let us have the capacity to lose the safety, and the illusion of the safety, that we are given in our century, to figure out that pain is our beautiful companion.
~ Sarah Mohr (16:32)
The conversation explores the intrinsic human connection to movement and play, emphasizing how these activities serve as fundamental forms of communication. The discussion highlights the cultural differences in how movement and play are expressed, with some societies engaging more openly and visibly, while others internalize their play through structured or intellectual means. The relationship between internal and external experiences of play is dissected, particularly through the lens of dance, where the external beauty perceived by audiences contrasts with the internal mental and physical challenges faced by the dancer.
Another key focus is the integration of pain and love as essential forces for learning and personal growth. Pain is presented as a necessary companion that helps individuals rediscover their authentic selves and reconnect with forgotten aspects of their identities. This rediscovery is tied to the idea of balance, both within oneself and in relation to external perceptions, underscoring the role of self-awareness and trust in navigating life’s complexities.
Takeaways
Rediscovering forgotten selves — A significant part of personal growth involves reconnecting with aspects of oneself that have been neglected or forgotten.
Cultural approaches to play — Different societies exhibit varying levels of visible or internalized engagement with play.
Pain as a learning tool — Pain is essential for building trust, love, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.
Dance as a metaphor — Dance exemplifies the duality of internal struggle and external expression, providing insights into broader human experiences.
Integration of experiences — Personal growth often requires integrating disparate experiences into a cohesive understanding of oneself.
The illusion of safety — Breaking free from the illusion of safety can lead to profound self-discovery and freedom.
Internal versus external truth — Balancing internal perceptions with external realities is central to authentic expression and connection.
Movement as communication — Movement is an intrinsic and universal form of human expression and interaction.
Resources
Sarah Isabel Mohr @saisabelmohr
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Ego
Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
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Dreams are maps
The visions we offer our children shape the future. It matters what those visions are. Often they become self-fulfilling prophecies. Dreams are maps.
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Shoulders of giants
I’ve said many times of my generation that we drink deeply from wells of freedom and opportunity that we did not dig, that we eat from tables prepared for us by our ancestors, that we sit comfortably in the shade of trees that we did not cultivate. We stand on the shoulders of giants.
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Rest. Reflect. Recalibrate.
When you’re able to recognize what’s happening and be deliberate with your actions, setbacks don’t have to be as painful. Coming out on the other side ready to recommit to your path requires that you harness all the skills you have learned and apply them to rest, reflect, recalibrate, and then get back on track.
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Storytelling
Linda McLachlan is the host and creative spark behind The Arena. Our conversation began with the topic of storytelling. I was interested in learning how she was using storytelling in the context of her podcast. In particular, I wondered if her thoughts on storytelling had changed after applying it to podcasting.
In The Arena, Linda uses a mostly consistent set of questions to power her conversation with her guests. This started as a backbone around which, in each conversation, she could find other questions to ask and build it out. Unexpectedly, the story that comes out each time is quite different.