I have a great friend who wants me to write a book. “You always come up with so many ideas – you need to write a book for those of us who don’t have those great ideas. I could carry them out, but coming up with them is a problem.”
Not for me. Ideas flood into my mind like the tide coming in. I call it a “God Breeze”. The problem is, I have a tough time weeding out the good from the bad. I tend to jump in and get excited about each one – how could I not? They are all so GOOD! At the moment. Once I ponder a bit, I start thinking about why they wouldn’t work. This is not a bad thing. It forces me to evaluate and be a little more selective. As it is, I go down many roads with great enthusiasm, and after giving it a shot, decide I can’t do yet one more thing.
My best idea time is early morning (well, early is relative). I used to get up at 6 AM and quickly head out for my morning walk. I tuck a post-it pad in my pocket along with a pen, my cell phone, and put my earbuds in my ears so I can listen to my “walking music”. I start out with my meditation and gratitude affirmations. I love this – it puts me in such a pleasant state of mind. I find myself thinking and praying about lots of things – my kids, my business, friends, family, where I want to travel, people I want to contact, how I should build more relationships, ways of getting more business, projects I should finish, projects I should start, new ways of marketing, new markets to seek, new products I could make, then “bingo” – my latest idea! It comes to me in a flash. I see it in my mind’s eye, the colors, the design, the quote, all the little details. It sinks into my brain and I plan it out in fine detail. I quickly grab my paper and pen (while walking – careful not to trip), and jot down enough notes that I will remember it when I get home because most likely, I will have several more “flashes” along the way.
I’m now halfway through my walk and I haven’t put my music on yet. I have, however, gotten myself jazzed up to get home and get busy. Then the trouble starts. I get so obsessed with whatever it is I just created in my mind – a new print, something to engrave, a memo to write to my team – whatever, that once I return, I have totally lost the focus I planned for the day and have to create this new item immediately. It’s a blessing and a curse.
Lately I sleep a little later. I’m not sure if I finally have gotten over “having” to get up at 6 AM, so my clock automatically opened my eyes, or if my rhythm is changing. I sleep until I’m done. I get up and start my routine – feed the cat, vitamins, make my iced tea, check e-mail, FB, and ETSY, then head out. I feel guilty – like I’m doing something wrong – sleeping so late (7:20 – 8:00). It does shift my day to a later flow. I want to be fine with it – but I still have this nagging feeling I need to get up and get going.
Like today – it’s 9:20 and I’m still in my jammies enjoying my tea. And blogging. I’m going to get dressed now – and head out for my walk. I wonder what I’ll come up with to consume me today?
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