In last week’s podcast episode, I talked about that wondrous feeling when we get a great new idea. As I mentioned in that episode, the vast majority of our Great ideas are distractions and should be told “no!”
But every now and then, one of them sticks. It keeps coming around, reminding you that you:
- Always said you wanted to write a book… why not this one?
- Love podcasts… why not make one of your own?
- Would truly love to start a group program so you can serve more people… it’s probably about time.
As the idea grows in intensity and energy, it might be time to consider:
Is it finally time to do your Great Work?
If you have been thinking about launching a new project like one of these, the Great Work Community might be a great fit for you.
Especially if you have struggled to move out of the “idea” stage and into the “thing I’m doing” stage.
Maybe you set the intention week after week to “get started” but then just plain forget about it, a phenomenon I call “goalnesia” because it’s similar to amnesia in that it feels completely out of your control.
Or, perhaps you get started, but then stall out.
Or maybe it seems like every time you sit down to make progress, the universe throws another roadblock your way.
I’ve found that our Great Work– the work that we yearn to do, that would move us into who we long to be, and that would open new opportunities in new communities– is often the first thing to fall by the wayside when things get busy.
I’m not sure why this is so common, but I have a few theories.
- Maybe it’s because Great Work can feel selfish and we feel like we should be doing something for others, instead of for ourselves.
- Or maybe because our Great Work is not commonly “URGENT” or up against a hard deadline. We are usually setting our own deadlines, and then missing them.
- Perhaps it’s because it feels like no one really cares whether you do it or not.
- And, it’s probably at least a little bit because Great Work demands that we stretch, grow, and learn our way into new ways of being. And that feels hard.
These are old, stifling beliefs, and they stand in the way of you enjoying your one “wild and precious life” to the fullest. Specifically:
- Great Work is never selfish because no matter what it is it will help you feel alive, excited, and more resilient. The world needs more resilient people.
- Your Great Work IS urgent! It’s the work that takes you toward the life you want and the person you want to become. It is perhaps the most urgent work of all, which is why you should move it forward every week and every day.
- If no one cares whether you do your Great Work, then you must (must!) join the our Community. Because we care. A LOT.
- Finally, you are right, Great Work will stretch you. And that’s a good thing. And the fact that it’s also hard is ok, too.
The Great Work Community will help you overcome the impulse to push your Great Work to the side.
We’ll ask for your intentions in our weekly planning sessions, and then see how they went in our weekly celebration (without any shame, because honestly, if shame worked we would all be wildly productive all the time).
We will provide time that is especially dedicated to your Great Work, so even if every other minute is dedicated to the status quo, our Wednesday co-working time will keep your Great Work alive.
This is what we need to keep moving forward.
Little by little, chipping away without overwhelm until we look up one day and we did it.
Curious about the Great Work Community? Learn more!
