Barriers to entry and the secret key to getting started
As a child the backyard was my wonderland, I’d lose myself playing in the garden for hours at a time. I was recently thinking back to childhood adventures when I realised - I now have my own backyard. A wonderland in waiting. But how? I don’t come from a family of green thumbs so I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t even know what to google.
I became overwhelmed by the thought of how many gardening books, blogs, TV shows, magazines and experts that must exist out there. I mean I could buy some seeds and have a go but it will definitely fail, waste of time. Maybe a gardening course or coach can guide me, that will be the fastest painless way. That’s probably going to be expensive though. I’ll pop the garden dream up on the ‘one day when I’m rich’ shelf. The end.
That thought process happened in the blink of an eye.
Thank goodness the idea nagged at me and I had to ask myself “Why do I need a guide? Why is the thought of trial and error so exhausting?”
My inner critic promptly replied, “Well, being a clumsy student isn’t a cute look on a thirty year old. You should have taken an interest in gardening as a child. It’s too late for you now. Move on.”
“Hang on a second” I thought, “You’re telling me I can self-help my way to overcoming creative anxiety but I can’t DIY learning to garden? Have you forgotten how fun learning a new skill is? You know what a hobby is yes?”
In that moment of self awareness I caught fear behind the wheel. And just like that I had a choice. I decided to take back the driver’s seat and write myself a mental permission slip.
With the freedom of self permission I left perfectionism at the door and followed fun instead. If the gardening tools looked fun I bought them, if the gardening podcast sounded fun I listened, if the book jumped out I read it. In the garden with zero expectation I grabbed the shears and started chopping. “I’ll probably go too far” I said without consequence or worry. I didn’t care if I pruned too much or too little. It was just fun and behind the scenes I was learning.
There’s a place for discipline and stretching towards excellence - but that place is not at the beginning. My favourite things to say in my creative work are “This may be a silly question but..” or “I’ll lean on your expertise on this, would you suggest…?” or the ultimate invitation “let’s have a crack!” Owning your clumsiness gives you the freedom to play. And play unlocks the door confidence and creativity.
To read more about the power of play check out previous posts ‘you gotta play your way’ and ‘why so serious?”
- BuZzZy XOXO