Think Thoughts That Serve You

Photo by Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash

Last week we talked about how our vision is always ahead of our creative execution, and how that can be a good thing. The vision can pull us forward toward realizing our dreams.  

But there may come moments when The Gap feels insurmountable. Or we may get discouraging feedback that makes us wonder if it’s worth it to continue. 

The truth is, if we truly understood The Gap between where we are and where we want to be, we might give up. If we really took on board how long the odds are of the kind of success we dream about are – writing a New York Times bestseller, having a play performed on Broadway, winning a Pulitzer... we’d tell ourselves we’re crazy for even thinking this is a good idea. These days, even a traditional publishing deal – even getting an agent – is something only a tiny percentage of authors will achieve.  

I deal with this all the time in my work with clients – and with myself. With clients, I have to be reassuring enough to give them heart to keep moving forward and overcome their doubts, while also being realistic about the odds. In the beginning, of course, many are full of hope that they will be the one to beat the odds (I certainly was when I started writing).  

The reality is, creative work is worth it, whether you achieve some hypothetical external goal or not. As human beings, we have a deep creative urge. It can be expressed in many ways, but I believe everyone has it, no matter how deeply buried it may be. And if you are called to write, you are called for a reason. If your only goal is a NYT bestseller, then you will probably give up quite easily, since that isn’t going to happen without a lot of time and effort.  

But most writers have a more intrinsic motivation that keeps them stubbornly moving forward, even against the odds of external success. Most artists will never show their work in a major gallery or museum. Most musicians will never have a platinum-selling record. We all keep going because The Gap spurs us on. It keeps us experimenting, trying new ideas, learning new skills.    

And if you do get bogged down in the weedy marsh of negativity (or as I like to think of it, The Dead Marshes of the mind), try this:  

Think thoughts that serve you.  

This is an idea that Eric Maisel proposes, and it’s simple, but not easy. It doesn’t mean think only realistically, or think only true thoughts. It’s realistic, and true, to think that a best-selling book (traditionally or independently published) is a long shot. But that thought does not serve the creative process.  

Instead, think about, What step can I take today toward realizing my dream? You don’t have control over the outcome (at least, not as much as we like to think) but you do have control over what you do now, today. Maybe it’s revising the dialogue in that scene. Maybe it’s digging deeper into that character. Maybe it’s researching agents, or submitting a piece to a new publication or contest.  

We all have to have that magic balance of keeping our Big Dream in mind, while working on the small daily steps that might just, if we’re lucky, get us there.  

Instead of thinking “this will never happen” or “I don’t know how to make this happen” think: How can I figure out or learn what I need to know to make it happen? Often we know the next right step, but we’re afraid to take it.  

If you’ve been taking lots of tiny steps but are still feeling stuck and frustrated, ask yourself “What is the next step that feels a little out of my comfort zone, but could propel me to the next level?” 

Let your intuition and your good sense guide you. Don’t give in to fear and self-doubt – those thoughts don’t serve you. It’s not being a Pollyanna; it’s supporting your creative life. Fear and doubt smother it. Let the air in. When you feel a negative thought arise, immediately counter it with a thought that serves your goal. For example,  

I’ll never get an agent in this market. 

But 

I’m going to make my query letter as strong as possible. I’m going to take that workshop on writing one, and also do some research into possible comp titles.  

The first leads you to give up. The second opens up possibilities, and gives you something concrete to do.  

Make a habit of thinking thoughts that serve you. This will help you develop grit, perseverance, and resilience, all of which are crucial if you are to bring your creative work into the world.