When I’m writing these messages or designing content for courses and workshops, I grant myself grace by allowing myself to write a raggedy first draft. I give myself permission to make grammatical errors. I cut and paste quotes and phrases from other places that have fonts and type sizes that don’t match. I highlight areas where I want to remember to add or change something so that I can easily return to it later. I then walk away from it for a time that can span from fifteen minutes to twenty-four hours after which I return with fresh eyes and a rested brain to take another pass at it. When we begin something, we put too much pressure on ourselves to get it right the first time. This happens with relationships, jobs, business ventures, and even when trying new activities that were merely meant for pure fun. When you find yourself faced with what feels like a daunting task, here are some strategies to support you in practicing the Draft and Pass. Flow Over Force. I sometimes have these grand dreams of pulling 12-hour days or all-nighters like I did in college to complete important projects. The problem is my brain and body no longer work that way. As I’ve come to learn more about myself, I know that my mind works best in the morning and is usually done for the day by 2pm. I used to try to push myself past this threshold, but it would only end up taking me much longer to complete what ended up being subpar work. Now, I just let it flow. I listen to my body. If it needs rest, I take a nap. If it needs movement, I go for a walk. When I follow this flow, I end up getting more done and creating better content than I do when I try to force it. Plan and Plug. I often have so many ideas for a project that it’s hard to reel them all in. To address this, I create an outline or overview for my vision of the project, then go back and plug in the content over time. This helps me to break things down into small steps when the larger task feels overwhelming and impossible to complete. Once the plan is finished, I chip away at the sections in whichever way my soul leads me. I don’t force myself to go in order, I simply let it flow. Cooperative Creation. After you’ve created a draft of something, you can take another pass at it, or you can literally pass it to someone else so they can lay eyes on it. I’ve been using writing as an example up to this point, but we can replace that with our relationships, money, or ideas as well. With these examples, passing might look like working with a partner or team, or seeking advice or counsel from professionals.
This week I invite you to release the pressure of perfection. Give yourself permission to create, retreat, delegate, and return to your projects, relationships, or other goals without judgement of yourself or the process. Start with the place where you’re feeling the most stuck or overwhelmed and practice the Draft and Pass.
Manifestation Affirmations I welcome imperfection.
I give myself permission to make mistakes. I am cultivating a culture of co-creation in my community.
Master Your Mindset to Manifest a Life You Love. Most Sincerely, Monica Marie Jones Your Soul Journey Guide