Creating Something New Is Hard Work.

I have been attempting to create a new business/service for years; something more aligned with creativity, generosity, care. Something to support my family and me. Something of my own choosing and making and design. Not work for work sake. Something which leaves a positive mark and is regenerative and energising. Not too much to ask then.

And that was before Covid.

Then an important side project becomes a necessity.

Projects going away leaving insecurity, instability, uncertainty.

With what do I fill the void?

My reaction is a deeply laid groove. It comes automatically.

Work harder.

Do more.

You’re entrepreneurial. Go create.

You know sales. Sell!

You’re successful. Succeed!

The truth is that I’m unsure too.

The constant need to create, to sell, to succeed is exhausting. A relentless push against a river of doubt. And fear of failing.

Fail and we won’t eat.
Fail and we move out of the house.
Fail and I look pants and a bit shit. Or really shit. I don’t know.

The crises change but the story runs on. Each new crisis met with same reaction.

And my reaction is about adding and doing. About taking control.

Until a new variable.

Struggle, meet constraint.

Constraint, meet struggle.

Constraint: some limits, some rules of engagement.

A forced lessening of activity and effort.

My habitual response to a crisis is to act, to create, to add, to think, to scheme, to sell. But the energy driving these things is untethered. A fire hose out of control, flapping around like an angry snake. All squirt, no direction. 

Until constraint.

A simple one too.

Who do I want to work with?
Who do I want to help?
Where does my energy go?

These are questions I’ve asked of others many times.

And now they’re asked of me. By Happy Start Up School and their brilliant 2020 Vision Programme.

In starting with who, the fire hose finds a fire. The creative energy has a focus. A channel through which to flow.

To constrain is to simplify.

We are complication machines. We add, add, add. Almost never do we remove, remove, remove.

And removing, simplifying, increases power, energy and focus.

Simplification is a super power. Physicists and mystics agree (and that can only be good).

We’re taught to say yes more than no.

And to sustain life at all costs.

When maybe instead a little bit of death is a very good, life affirming alternative.

And I don’t mean people dying.

I mean old ideas, habitual responses. Let these die.

Find some constraints.

Say no more than yes. Work in service of one person, not many. Whatever.

But impose some constraints, simplify, and let the energy flow more productively, more energetically.

And in time things might start working for, not against you.