Have you ever heard this statement? “I am in the Zone!” or “I just can’t get into the zone!””I need to be in the Zone to write, create, invent!”
I love it when I hear people say: “I am in the Zone, I am in Flow!!! And I usually respond with – please go on don’t let me distract you, because i know from first hand experience how hard this is!!
As a Content Creator for either Radio, my Programmes or Books- gosh I have to be in zone to create! And I am not sure if i am the only one who struggles to get into that ZONE, usually my desk is not the way i need it, or my closet needs a makeover, or I need a vacation or something! I found that the moment I am supposed to get into that creative Zone – I am usually Zoned out! Procrastination sets in and i am left with a few days before I get what i need done.
Now there is reason why – i am thinking something i never thought, i am crating something that hasn’t been created before – and this is hard!!! Most times we are feeling in the dark, so it’s understandable that we look everywhere but within for the answers. So this article is to let you know that I get it and I am sharing my thoughts here to help you move one step closer to that which is seeking you!
So I have adopted a new plan, a new regime and a new strategy and i hope it help you too, because the world is desperate for the gift of who really are, to show up and inspire and challenge….
According to Dr John C Maxwell there are 4 types of Zones we can find ourselves in, I share them here so that you can become aware and then take responsibility for where you find your self:
- THE COASTING ZONE: “I do as little as possible”
- THE COMFORT ZONE: “I do what I have always done”
- THE CHALLENGE ZONE: “I attempt to do what I haven’t done before”
- THE CREATIVE ZONE: “I attempt to think what i haven’t thought before”
To which of these do you naturally gravitate to? Do you live in the coasting zone, casually, passively – doing as little as possible? Or do you stay in your comfort zone, avoiding risks?Do you connect with the challenge Zone, where you try new things and willingly risk failure? Or do you try to stretch yourself the furthest by living in the creative zone, where you explore new ideas, seek out other perspectives, and cross bridges i your imagination long before you physically reach them?
As you know my suggestion is to live in the “CREATIVE ZONE”. Entrepreneurs have to!!! Our business success depends on our ability to not only think creatively but also challenge our own limitations or mental blocks! This how we keep expanding our potential. Below are the 7 Mental Blocks that you need to challenge!
MENTAL BLOCK 1: FIND THE RIGHT ANSWER
It’s wrong to believer there is only one right answer to any question. There are always other solutions. If we believe they are there and we’re willing to look for them, we will find them.
MENTAL BLOCK 2: Thats NOT LOGICAL
Albert Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. Imagination turns possibilities into realities.
MENTAL BLOCK 3: FOLLOW THE RULES
Thomas Edison made a great quote “There ain’t no rules around her!” We are trying to accomplish something!” All Industries right now are ripe for Disruption, and I love it!!!
MENTAL BLOCK 4: AVOID AMBIGUITY
Life is complex. It’s mess. IT’s contradictory and paradoxical. Why in the
MENTAL BLOCK 5: FAILURE IS BAD
Creative people don’t avoid failure. They fail fast and the fail forward. They see failure as learning. They understand failure is feedback. Embracing risk is the key to growth.
MENTAL BLOCK 6: DONT BE FOOLISH
To stand up is to stand out. You have to stick your neck out to put your head above the crowd. If others don’t at fist understand or accept you, so what? All the great dreamers looked foolish to someone. How you are perceived by others is less important than how effective you can be.
MENTAL BLOCK 7:I’m NOT CREATIVE
The mental block that keeps most of us from being creative is believing we don’t posses creativity. By this self-perception is a barrier to talent, opportunity and intelligence. but the truth is that everyone can learn to be creative. The only real block is our disbelief.
“Creativity Thrives when one subject is approached from many difference perspectives”
John C Maxwell