I know that the advice I give may seem a bit unconventional at times but, well, as you know, I am who I am. I wanted to address a topic that I think rarely, if ever, commands discussion. I think this topic will also aid in shedding some light on why, for some of us, our most creative ideas suffer from impotence.
One of the most powerful things you can do when a new idea comes to you that you would like to give wings and see it grow is: “Don’t share it.” Yes, that’s what I said. Do not share the immediate conceptions of your ideas, thoughts, or imaginings verbally, with anyone.
There are many with whom the above statements resonates with loudly. They already know where I’m going. I also know that there are many of you shaking your heads and claiming that I’ve finally lost it, but, have patience, hear me out.
Typically when a resonant idea enters our minds one of the first actions we take is to articulate it verbally. Often the phone is the nearest object, so we’ll pick it up and call someone. Believe it, or not, this diffuses the brilliance of that flame of an idea that made your mind soar with the potential of endless possibilities.
What we should do, when given the gift of enlightenment or an epiphany of sorts is to nurture it. Allow the brilliance of the new idea or thought to access the more contemplative areas of your mind. Savor the epiphany as you would a glass of fine wine or a cherished moment. When you take this time, you are affirming the power of that idea.
As a child I remember a mantra which my mother and grandmother berated me with often: “You better mind!” This warning would usually come after some mindless act I committed that got me into the typical “precocious child” kind of troubles. Now, as an adult, I find myself purposefully trying to “mind.”
Well, once you’ve minded this thought, the next thing to do, before speaking, is to put some sort of physical action behind it. Maybe you like to write. If so, sit down in a quiet place and begin writing. Maybe you prefer to draw or sketch. If so, sit down in a quiet place and begin sketching. Whatever your mode of introspection is, take this time to exercise it. You will find that once you give yourself license to validate your own ideas and thoughts, the more luminous ones tend to want make themselves known to you.
I know by this point many want to grab that phone and call someone, but don’t. The next thing you’ll want to do is act on it. Let me explain. This is not something that may happen immediately. It could take minutes, hours, days and even weeks before you get to this point, depending on you and who you are, but the most important thing to remember is that you must reach this stage without having spoken to a single solitary soul about the new idea or thought. To act on it means that you are “doing something” that would make this idea happen. Maybe you need to get some paperwork that needs filling out, maybe you need to sit at your computer and begin typing, maybe you need to grab a shovel and start digging in your back yard. The list is potentially endless. Once you have reached this point, you may find that you no longer have any desire to speak about the idea because you too busy moving on it. Of course there will come a point when you will have to communicate with others. This is inevitable. “No matter how sharp and axe, it will never cut its’ own handle.” When you’ve reached this point, hopefully, you will know intuitively.
You see, when we immediately follow our thoughts with dialogue with others, what we are actually doing is inviting them to influence its outcome. In many subtle ways, and not so subtle ways, the disposition and character of those we choose to communicate with have a profound affect on our successes and/or failures.
Let me give you a quick example by role playing:
Person A is making a phone call to person B.
Person A: Hello B, how are you? I’m so glad you’re home! I have this great idea!
Person B: I’m fine B, thanks for calling me. Tell me your idea.
Person A: Well, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah….
Person B: A, you know you got a great idea “but”…
At this point person B starts to explain to person A the reasons why his new idea will fail. I can hear many of you sighing. You’ve been here haven’t you? Now, there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. In fact, I encourage it. This issue here is not the negativity associated with the person B’s critique, the issue is Person A’s timing in sharing of his new ideas.
I guess that point I’m trying to make, if I can do it succinctly, is this: Silence has a power which we, typically, fail to be aware of. Silence has the power to motivate you from within. When you employ silence as an instrument of intuitive direction, you are sure to reap some benefits.
I hope this small bit of advice helps you. If you would like you may leave me a comment below, or you could simply toss a few coins in the tip jar situated in the panel to right.
May love, peace and blessings be your constant companion.
“Dooni dooni konoi be nyaga da.”
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