I have a friend who is good at quoting me. She tosses back ideas, suggestions and bits of brilliance that I once gave her. As annoying as that can be, I’m learning to pay attention.
How well do you take your own advice?
We all carry wisdom. And it can be easier to apply to the lives of other people. Maybe it’s time to notice the fabulous ideas that come up, seemingly for other people, and ask how we can find those same notions helpful for ourselves, too.
Last night at a potluck dinner, I started chatting with Jay who owns an interesting creative eco-business. He is very committed to keeping it local, but he gets requests from around the country for his product. Jay chooses, however, to decline the business and instead honor his values for sustainable earth-friendly business practices (in this case no heavy dependency on fossil fuels to transport his goods long distances). Suddenly an idea popped into my head for how he could expand his outreach without added transportation!
Before I shared the idea, I asked him, “What is your vision for growth?” He said he had two. This made me think, “Do I have a vision for growth? Do I have two?” Much of my work, too, is based locally with in-person classes that provide meaningful support and opportunities for people to gather face-to-face in the same room. Sure, one possibility is to go virtual with more online offerings, but what else could I do? What’s another idea? In generating ideas for Jay about his plan, an idea arose that could apply to my own growth plans.
The practice is to really pay attention to the tips you have for others and try them on for yourself as well.
Another way to play with this phenomenon of mirrored back marvels is to take it inward.
What’s a dilemma you are facing right now? In your business, in your home life, take note of whatever challenge looms. Even write it down if that helps.
Then pause. In your minds eye, imagine that one of your dear friends or creative cohorts had this very problem. What would you suggest she do if she came to you for help? How can you do that for yourself? What resistance do you feel in your body, heart and mind upon hearing that guided direction? That is a real sweet spot to move yourself forward.
What is your best idea for others? How might that apply to your own situation? It takes courage, consciousness and a dose of humility to consider your own wise counsel.
Like looking in a multi-way mirror, you can allow all the good ideas and suggestions you see possible for others to bounce back into your court, too. Getting together with your creative cohorts, including folks in very different fields, is a great way to generate insight and cultivate new ways ahead that can benefit everyone in the conversation. Including you!
What of your own creative advice is worth taking today?
Good ideas bounce back.
(This article was written for a guest post on TheRightBrianBusinessPlan.com)
Making way for creative action, Amy Egenberger, MEd., CPCC, is proud to be a Licensed Facilitator of the Right Brain Business Plan®. She is a seasoned educator, life coach, artist and founder of Spirit Out! Coaching. Amy helps people find the courage and clarity to get moving on their creative path. A book, a business, a project, a change… your creative spirit gets out!
