Just when I think I don't need any help with my process, I learn otherwise. Today I'm inspired by creativity coach Dr. Eric Maisel, whose books and talks always tap into something I need.
Here are a couple of paragraphs from his latest newsletter:
Listen to yourself this week. When you say something that sounds suspiciously like maybe, stop yourself. If, for example, you hear yourself say, “I’m pretty tired today so maybe I’ll paint tomorrow,” exclaim, “Die, maybe!” Champion yes instead. Say, “I will paint today!” If you hear yourself say, “I wonder if there’s enough light left to paint, so maybe I’ll paint tomorrow,” exclaim, “Die, maybe!” Say, “Let me use this last light!” Every yes of this sort is a passionate call to action: kill maybe and get on with your work.
Kill maybe. Say no to your work when you want to take your daughter to the museum or when you want to bring your mother a rose. Say yes to the work often, every day or as frequently as you can. Never say maybe—turn every maybe into an appropriate no or a vibrant yes. Of these three words, yes, no, and maybe, two are brilliant and one is the kiss of death.
Thanks, Eric!
Does anyone else ever need a little push in the YES direction?
13 comments:
I have nothing against 'maybe'. The word I work the hardest to kill is 'should'.
That's definitely one worth fight off, Ellen!
I have an audiotape somewhere called "What to Say When You Talk to Yourself." You know, people sort of smirk when I tell them I used to be a motivational speaker--but we teach what we need to learn most. And hanging out with motivators can be very, well, motivating. Thanks for reminding me to watch my internal dialog!
Every teacher is a motivational speaker, every good friend ... and one phone conversation with Joanna will give you enough motivation for the month!
oops, make that "fighting off" in my response to Ellen.
Oh, Camille. You are such a pal. And Ellen's right...we SHOULD on ourselves, don't we? Uck.
Great post, Camille. I always have to remind myself that positive thinking is the way to get things done--and "maybe" is definitely less than positive!
--Linda
Well, Camille, you know, I'm the queen of dithering. I can sit on a fence and equivocate and "maybe no, maybe yes" forEVer.
As our mutual friend Rita Lakin says: "Woulda, coulda, shoulda" are pretty useless words!
I never realized what a devil word Maybe is. I'm with Ellen -- down with "should."
i was expectin to see killer hobbies literally, but hey maybe this blog ain't bad. ooopps ... kill maybe. this blog ain't bad.
http://awesome-movie-sword-replica.blogspot.com/
hi swordfinder, try our books to see killer hobbies in another context!
Of all Blogs to come in late on. If that isn't ME in there, though I know a few woulda, coulda, shoulda people, also. Posting that trio nearby for a daily reminder, and printing out the Blog. 3 cheers to Meisel, as well as Camille....xoxoxox
Dear Anonymous,
I only remember a few words from my high school French class--including mais que tard que jamais.
Better late than never!
You can guess why it stuck with me!
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