Nov 12 2007
5 Steps to Control Worry and Focus on the Work
I am a worrywart by nature. And yet I find a cause to pause when I share that thought knowing my Mom had a glass of champagne the night I decided to join this world festival which, I believe, not only enticed me to come but made for a relaxed entrance. I’ve always pictured my arrival going something like this:
SCENE I
(Bright light encircles enormous heads hovering over a bouncy baby riding a champagne bubble)
NEWBIE:
“How’s it going? Listen I tasted your yummy liquid, you know the one with all those fabulous bubbles, and thought to myself, ‘Whoever made this has to be full of fun.’ So I decided to just pop by – no pun intended I assure you – and invite you to a private party. I spend all day hanging in a Jacuzzi there – I’m a little wrinkled but it’s totally worth it – and room service is divine. I don’t even have to order; they just bring me these heavenly treats. Except for the prunes, I sent the prunes back. Well, what do you say, my place in a half an hour?”
Perhaps worry and nature don’t exactly go hand-in-hand in my world. Maybe worry is nothing more than the ‘nurture’ byproduct of a life that often asks you to move too fast in the name of doing more to make more to have more. Either way, it often causes me to lose momentum. I have the normal worries about being late for meetings, not being the best Mommy I possibly can and not spending enough time with loved ones. I even worry about not worrying enough.
However, I also have ‘creative career’ worries. I worry about not getting enough work to pay the bills, not maintaining contacts, not saying thank you enough, not being well-read enough, not knowing enough, and spending so much time taking care of others that I won’t have enough time to accomplish my artistic goals.
What are your worries?
All of this worry can hinder your progress in life. It can actually stop you from accomplishing the very things you are worried about not accomplishing. The following steps have actually helped me to move past worry and focus on my work. Set aside 30 minutes (the time can be broken up throughout your day) to give these a try.
- Give Yourself Permission to Worry: That’s right, worry your brains out! Take a sheet of paper and write, “Worries” on top. Do a mental run-through of your day or a run-through of the project you want to tackle and, without lifting the pen from the page, list all the parts that cause you to worry.
- Benefits: List the ways that worrying benefits you. Then look at your list. Ask yourself – does worrying motivate you or keep you from doing what you love? On average how much time do you think you spend on your worries? Give each one a rough time estimate. Cross out the word, “Worries” on top of your worry list and write, “Obstacles.” Then re-read them.
- Baby Step Contract: On a new sheet of paper, write a brief contract with yourself that states that you will work on a project without worrying. You will take one step a week toward following your goals. In breaking up a project into manageable, weekly bits you will lessen the likelihood of becoming overwhelmed and will be able to fight your worries. Use the positive feeling you experience when you do the work you love as your motivation.
- Project Research: Spend a few minutes researching the cost of materials or people you will need to contact in order to accomplish your project goals. Don’t let this overwhelm you. Knowing what you need in order to set realistic goals will help you to achieve those goals so that your focus is not worry about getting things done but rather about the fulfillment you get from your creations. (Isn’t that why you create in the first place?)
- Share: Carry a little journal around to capture the little worries that may creep in throughout the day or talk with a friend, loved one or co-worker about your worries. In sharing, we not only find common ground but, in releasing the worries from your brain, you create more room for creative thought.
Whether you work with paint, film, fabric, words or numbers, you are a creative being. Worry is the byproduct of a life that’s too hectic and you don’t need it. Let your worries go and let the feeling you get when you create be your guide.
An e-course
BIG
Deep
Kreatives Kafe
Natasha, this is a terrific idea. It’s what most creative people need every day. Thank you for sending this and making this. I hope to read every update. If you keep an email update list, please put me on it! xoxo Torie
Congratulations!!!!
This is something we can all learn from and we can all relate to!
You’re an amazing writer!!!
Here’s to a obstacle-free day
xoxox,
Bridge
Thank you for this blog. I thought I was the only one that worried so much!! I love this sentence, “Maybe worry is nothing more than the ‘nurture’ byproduct of a life that often asks you to move too fast in the name of doing more to make more to have more.” I think worry can definitely get in the way of progress, but the steps you provided seem like they will help prevent that from happening. Thanks for starting this blog!
Natasha,
You have created something amazing with your blog. A safe place to think, explore, feel,and escape. I have always admired you, your writing ability, motivation, and creativity. Your blog entries have not only inspired me, but gave me the confidence to publicly post my feelings about it. (Which is huge for me.) I would not have been able to do this on my own.
Thank you for giving yourself to the world and for your extraordinary ability to relate to everyone.
Wishing you all the best on this new exciting journey.
Love, Danielle
Tasha,
You know, there was a time when I used to partake in the very thing that you are suggesting we do. So I was an avid writer in my own private time. Then life took a sudden turn. There were life stresses, bills, figuring out which course to go with my life, etc. In other words, I was a wreck. But a wise person told me that your most creative ‘juices’ come with chaos…not when things are good and calm. Took me a while to ingest that one, but I get it. So thanks for providing us this outlet.
~Rich
thank you, it was good to read about your honest feelings and it helped. I believe our worries are part of “nurture” also that has been passed on to us genetically and culturally. I try not to think about it but I do worry that I am running out of time and getting too old for things I want to do in life, places I want to see and people I want to visit, like Rich. Feeling this makes me very confused as which direction I should take in my life and how to go about. Doing these things without feeling guilty and at the same time maintaining a security within myself and the financial security which could be even a bigger worry! But I know I have to take one thing at a time and move forward. thank you again for your blog.