How do we navigate the balance between starting, sustaining, and stopping creative or personal endeavors?

The conversation examines the tension between perfectionism and the courage to share unfinished work.

It’s such a shame to have all these [things] on the shelves in the back of our minds or folders in our computers, all these things that we’ve kept back because they’re not perfect, or because we think they might not be right— We never know who will be changed by the things we make.

~ Robbie Swale (22:35)

The discussion covers challenges in managing creative processes and personal goals, focusing on a mission to appear on 100 podcasts. The complexities of handling output from such a challenge and the importance of deciding when to stop or persist are examined. This is tied to the broader question of balancing effort with strategic decisions in any endeavor.

Another key topic is overcoming perfectionism and fear of sharing creative work. Using quotes from poets and authors, the conversation emphasizes the importance of releasing work even if it feels incomplete. The necessity of starting projects and creating habits that reduce resistance to action is also highlighted. Tools like activation energy adjustments and reminders are presented as practical aids for staying focused and intentional.

Takeaways

Importance of starting — Even the hardest creative projects begin with the first step.

Navigating perfectionism — Releasing work imperfectly can still provide value to others.

Concept of “above or below the line” — A framework for self-awareness and decision-making.

Activation energy — Raising or lowering activation energy to influence habits effectively.

Sharing work — Withholding creativity can deprive others of valuable insights.

Practical tools for reflection — Using reminders and notifications to stay mindful.

The value of abandoning over-polishing — Deciding when a project is “good enough” to share.

Resources

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership — by Jim Detmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp; A guide to living with intentionality and focus.

The Practice — by Seth Godin; A book emphasizing the value of creativity and shipping work.

David Gemmell’s posthumously released books — Novels that captivated audiences even after the author’s passing.

The Quitting Quadrant — by Sara Wheeler; A tool to evaluate decisions about quitting.

Lead, Learn, Change Podcast — by David Reynolds; A podcast about education and leadership.

“Remind Me” and “Mind Jogger” — Apps for creating random notifications for mindfulness and presence.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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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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