Hello faithful reader (smile),
I have another article by Christine Kane that I wanted to post for your reading pleasure. These articles are always so inspiring and empowering to me, and I hope enjoyable for you, as well. 
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The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Accomplishing Anything
by Christine Kane
You know what’s strange about being a songwriter and writer? Most people don’t know how plain old boring it is sometimes!
That’s because the finished product looks so effortless! As if it just “whoosh!” landed on your doorstep, and you ran out and started selling it.
People romanticize results.
I know this because I am a hopeless romantic. I see someone’s work, and I think, “Ah! This is brilliant! How lofty is the soul that doth create!” I forget that this product is the result of many hours of work. Sometimes tedious work!
And here’s the difference between people who accomplish something and people who just dream:
The ones who do it sit down and do it. That’s all.
But I’m here to tell you:
Even the most incurable romantic can accomplish anything. I’m living proof of that!
Here’s how you do it:
Part 1 – Break it down.
Every big idea can be broken down into small steps.
If it’s a book, there’s an outline. If it’s a CD, it’s the daily act of writing songs. If it’s a website, then it’s a navigation Mind Map.
My favorite Break-it-Down Tool is the common Sticky-Note. I buy the obnoxious neon colors. Then I tape a poster board to my wall with the project name on it. Any idea or task in the project becomes a sticky note. In time, the notes get moved around to become an orderly list.
Part 2 – Create a System.
Let’s face it. “System” is a boring word.
Think about the last time you sat next to someone on a plane who told you, “I’m a Systems Analyst.” How quickly did you wonder if you could change seats?
The truth is: Systems are uber-cool. A business without systems is chaos.
So is a human.
A System tells you: “Here’s how it’s going to get done – whether anyone’s ‘in the mood’ or not.”
Why is this so important?
Because systems make a strategy out of our intentions. Systems can lead us.
Otherwise, it’s too easy to be led by our emotions or our busy-ness. “I don’t feel like it today.” “My dad never liked me so there’s no point.” “I’ve got 184 emails to answer!” When our emotions take the leadership role – years slip by and we wonder why we never get anything done!
It’s tempting to think that a system would stifle your emotions. But actually, a system provides boundaries. It’s like taking your emotions to the dog park. They have a fenced in area where they can run around.
Part 3 – Cherish your Attention
My new CD will be released this Spring. One song is called, “How to Be Real.” I wrote it for a woman who won my “Write Me a Song, Girlfriend!” raffle. Tickets were $150 each, and the winner got her very own song on the CD written by me.
I’d never been paid so much in advance to write a song. It was daunting!
But I did what I always do when the pressure is on:
Every morning at 10am, I picked up my guitar and greeted that song like an old friend. I spent one hour giving my Full Creative Attention to it.
Very little happened at first. I just sat with the idea of the song. But soon, a lyric showed up. Then a melody. Eventually, I finished the song. Now, it’s the title track of the CD!
(Click here to listen to it.)
Write this down and memorize it: Your attention is the most powerful creative tool you have. Cherish it and use it well.
Part 4 – Practice Faith
Monica was in my Uplevel Your Life Mastery Program. She had lots of great ideas for new ventures. But she didn’t like the daily “boring” tasks.
“How can I know this is even worth it?” she asked one day before she began some research.
My answer?
Faith.
And this is where we romantics have all the leverage. Everyone who has ever created anything – from a stage production to a business to a quilt – has done it with faith.
Faith, not only in what you’re creating – but in yourself as a Creator.
When you have faith in yourself, then you trust that you’ll keep creating no matter the outcome of this particular venture. Being “worth it” is an ego construct designed to keep you stuck in your comfort zone!
Monica began facing the boredom and started to build momentum because she was so proud of herself for doing work she would normally have avoided. She created faith in herself.
Remember this: People who require guarantees don’t accomplish much. Faith is a part of accomplishing anything.
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Your Assignment: Pick one project or idea you’ve been putting off. Apply these four steps starting today. Keep me posted on your progress!
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her ‘LiveCreative’ weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.
WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Christine’s blog – Be Creative. Be Conscious. Be Courageous – at ChristineKane.com/blog.
Filed under: General, Health & Fitness, This n That , Blogs & Blogging, Christine Kane, Hopes, inspire
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