If you’re following the inspiration of creativity, you’re on a path of infinite possibility.

It’s an opportunity to live your greatest passions and share your gifts with others, and in the process can transform your life in ways you’ve never known.

It may show up as a whisper, feeling, vision, or knowing, that is half-formed or crystal clear.

And, creativity comes in many forms, such as…

Building a new business, starting a new career, creating gatherings for family and friends, making intricate meals, making art, creating products or services, building a home, creating loving experiences through energy and words, uncovering a new sense of identity, or even creating an entirely new vision and chapter in life.

The adventure, is to notice your true inspiration, and take action to make it a reality.

Sounds good, right?

However, this can be easier said than done. Sometimes it feels easy to take action right away, and other times, nearly impossible as fear and doubt start to seep in.

The rollercoaster of creative inspiration often starts a little something like this…

I received inspiration to do this amazing thing! I’m so excited! Hooray!

And shortly thereafter, fear and doubt start rolling in…

I was inspired, but my idea just doesn’t seem realistic anymore.

I’m afraid no one will want to be a part of this thing I’m creating.

I keep getting in my own way.

I’m brilliant. No, wait, I’m a fraud!

No, wait, I’m following my calling and am on my path!

If any of this sounds familiar, I hear you, and have something to share with you today.

As someone who’s been living the path of creativity for years, and has supported countless people in doing the same, I intimately know the fears and doubts that lurk beneath surface, and the tremendous joy and freedom that await on the other side.

Some questions to consider, perspectives to try on, and tools to practice are shared with you below. These are things I’ve used with clients for years, and to this day still use myself to continue showing up and creating, even amidst the doubt and fear.

11 Tools + Tips

1. What if no one wants it?

You're afraid no one will want to be a part of the new thing you’re creating? Good news! The worst case scenario has already happened. No one is being a part of that thing right now.

2. You’re afraid of not being liked

If what you’re really afraid of is not being liked as a result of creating whatever it is, that’s super understandable. It’s human-nature to worry, and clog up the path with obstacles like this.

If people around you don’t like the changes you’re creating, it’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to be the old version of yourself forever and bury your dreams, just to avoid disapproval. If you choose to free yourself instead, and rise into who you’re becoming…then this particular category of worrying-about-not-being-liked is a double bonus, because…

As you create and move forward, you’ll get to release some of your greatest fears, rise into your courage, AND turn your inspiration into action. The joy and freedom on the other side of worry is well worth going for, and you can move through it in your own time. No rush. Just continue the momentum, and take your own next steps.

3. You’re afraid of failing

If you’re worried about failing, the reality is…of course what you have in mind might not work exactly as you envision it right now. It may not work out…and it also might meet or exceed your wildest hopes and dreams.

What’s important to remember, is this is not the last thing you will create, and no matter what, you will learn and grow from it. The key is to stay present to what you’re creating, what you’re learning, and what your next steps are as you move forward.

Often, the initial inspiration is the boost you need to get moving, and the end result may be even more amazing than you initially imagined.

4. You’re afraid of succeeding

As strange as it sounds, are you afraid that what you’re creating might actually work? That you just might succeed?

If yes, the real fear lurking beneath may not be about succeeding…but about the changes you or others will experience as a result of that success. There are many possible lurking fears, and some common ones include a fear of…

…more responsibility than you’re interested in taking on, less free time to do what you love, creating distance between you and people you care about, a sense of unworthiness in reaching a higher level of financial or professional success, a lack of privacy with a new level of fame, reaching a peak you can never reach again, or discovering that life carries on pretty much the same as before and permanent happiness and peace are not your grand prize at the end.

In all cases, this is simply an opportunity to notice…what do you REALLY want as a whole? If you’ve been laser focused on accomplishing a specific creative goal and need to adjust it so that success feels good to you as a whole…do it! Maybe this means building more balance, flexibility, free time, or connection with those you care about into your creative vision.

Don’t let the ego mind overschedule your life for the sake of checking a box of success. Give yourself the opportunity to define what true success actually looks like for you, and adjust your vision and actions accordingly.

5. No, you don’t have to…

You don't actually HAVE TO create that thing, or make that change....but do you want to?

And what if you set yourself up so that no matter what happens, there are positives on the path of what you’ve created?

One way to do this, is to let the journey of getting there be a reward in itself, whether you leap into it full force, or take a simple next step to move you towards your bigger dreams.

6. Fear is “normal”

This doubt and fear you’re feeling may very well be a sign you're stepping into your next phase of growth, following your calling, and goes with the territory. Powerfully inspired changes are often accompanied by equally powerful fear.

New things can feel scary, even if they’re exactly what will propel you forward into greater freedom, peace, fulfillment and joy. The mind does a great job of keeping us in line with what is “normal or known” even if it’s killing us internally to conform.

It can go something like this…

Mind: “I’m bored, but alive, therefore this path is safe…let’s keep doing this.”

Creativity: “We’re here to follow this inspiration, create, help others, and live in freedom and joy!”

Mind: “I don’t know what that’s like. It sounds scary. Let’s stay bored and unfulfilled instead.”

7. Follow your clarity

At the same time…fear can be an indicator NOT to take that next step. The key is learning to discern between the guidance you receive and the untruth of imagined fears.

One way to begin is by practicing following your clarity with small decisions so you can experience the results over time. When you do, you may notice that life begins to have a greater ease or flow to it, or that unexpected positive experiences start happening in your life. Suddenly, you’re in the right place at the right time, or someone shares a resource with you that is exactly what you needed to take that next step.

The more familiar you are with what your clarity feels, looks, or sounds like, the easier it will be to follow it when bigger decisions come your way.

8. Release attachment to outcome

Let go of your attachment to the outcome and refocus that energy on creating and taking your next steps instead.

If you’re freaking out about your envisioned future not working according to plan, or about needing to get it exactly “right”…that’s a recipe for disaster. Even if you end up creating exactly what you wanted, the path there will be full of freaked-out energy and fear, which is unlikely what you really wanted in the first place.

Keep your vision in mind, loosen the grip on the 100’s of things you think need to happen and allow space for your inspired next steps to arise instead.

9. Energy

It takes energy to create, and being mindful of where you’re spending your energy is key.

If you’re scattered in multiple directions, are bogged down with obligations or draining habits, or are spinning your wheels on unimportant tasks while your most valuable creative possibilities lie on a shelf collecting dust…it’s time to make a change.

You can begin by simply noticing…

What fuels you? What drains you? And what changes can you make to support your energy as a whole?

If you wanted to go on amazing road trip, you’d need to give your car some fuel before taking off. The same is true for you as you begin your next creative adventure in life, so fuel up, and enjoy the ride.

10. Train your mind with positivity

You know those moments when you feel so inspired and clear? When your guidance is clear, and it feels so bright?

Document it! Write it down! Transcribe what you know in those moments onto notecards, post-its, or some physical place as a reminder. Leave those notes for yourself on a wall, on your mirror, on your desk, or by your bed so you see them every day...just in case you forget.

We’re subjected to all kinds of noise every day, both around us and in our own minds, and taking this step will help you remember the positives amidst the static and noise.

11. Get support

If fear is slowing you down, if you feel foggy or stuck, or even if you’re overwhelmed with positive possibilities and need help clarifying your vision or next steps, get support!

Creating and living joyfully doesn’t have to be sluggish or hard, and we’re not designed to do life “all on our own” anyway. The reality is, we’re already getting support in many areas of our life from those we have around us.

A bit of clarity now can save years of moving in the wrong direction, and it’s amazing what a few small shifts can do to change the course of your life.

The journey of creativity isn’t always easy, but neither is hiding your brilliance, stuffing your dreams down for later, or caring more about what others think than your own values or inspiration. The funny thing is…the more you create, the easier it becomes…whether it’s creating a new opportunity, a new enterprise, an artistic masterpiece, or your most inspired next chapter in life.

Inspiration comes in many forms, and you’re here for a reason.

The world needs your creativity in action, and it’s time.

With gratitude,

Lena

Ready to create a change? Book a Discovery Call to find out if coaching together is a match for you.