Initiative

I was reading a little from Seth Godin's book Poke the Box where he lists seven characteristics for success. The first six have been written about thousands of times and can be found in libraries and bookstores all over the world. The 7th characteristic is "initiative". Buying the books to learn the first six takes initiative but when do we ever follow through? How do we obtain initiative? 

I don't know about you but I have a couple dozen books in paper and eBook format that tell me how to discover my Muse, play with paint, plaster, wax, paper, etc, and bookbinding. I already know how to do these things.


I have another dozen books that could best be described as inspirational, giving me ways to tackle fear, write morning pages, listen to my Muse, and read about other artist's journeys into the BIG unknown. 

I've taken online creativity courses up the yinyang. I recommend all of them because they all gave me something of value. 


About 50% of the online teachers I've interacted with admit the fear they have, in the very first lesson. They spent months preparing and now they are committed and must deliver and they're all afraid. Whoo-oo-oo! 

The other 49 1/2% start right in on the lesson plan because they've done this before, they know how to do it, and they actually give you more value since they're not emotionally attached to the lesson plan.


The other half percentile are teachers who believe in a higher purpose. They are 100% emotionally invested in you as a student and the technique they want to share with you. They interact and learn from the students because each is unique and brings something different to the table. These teachers teach a version of their technique online but most often it is done in person. And they believe 100% that each student is creative, intelligent, lovable, and has something special to share with the Universe. And she wants us to share it and experience it through her class. 

All of these teachers and book writers have something in common. They have initiative. 


Initiative doesn't have an end result. It is an ongoing process. Book writers go through rewrites, publishing inquiries, etc. Teachers have to have something to teach, so we know they started at the beginning. Each had an idea and took the initiative to follow it through, to see where it would go.


When I was little I learned to "save the best for last". I also learned to "preserve, for times of famine" (Star Trek episode circa 1965). I've somehow mixed the two of these up to mean "buy now, save it for when I need it/want it/have time for it." 


This means I a) buy books to read later, b) buy art supplies in case I want them later, c) shop in bulk at the grocery store, and d) subscribe to magazines so I don't miss a single issue but never have time to read cuz I don't make time. These things all suppose I'll be around later to enjoy them. I want to start enjoying them now. After all, I like going on adventures. Couldn't an adventure be reading a book? Couldn't an adventure be using an art supply I've been hoarding? Cooking a meal with only the ingredients on hand? Feeling joy and excitement at a stolen hour curled up in your favourite chair reading the latest Somerset Studio or Vogue? I think so.


It's time to bring the joy back in life. Show initiative. Show up in your own life. You'll be amazed at the results.