Redefining the problem

The more aggressively you redefine the problem, the more likely it is you’re going to solve it. ~Seth Godin

prob·lem/ˈpräbləm/

Noun:

A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.
A thing difficult to achieve or accomplish; something we forget we know how to overcome because we are weary.
What we see when forget to keep our focus, or when our focus becomes blurry with tears of discouragement. ♥

Synonyms:

question – issue – trouble

I have freelanced since I was 17-years-old. It has never gotten “easier” BUT when it sux, I no longer eat bags of cookies, working my way into a sugar-induced state of paralysis and self-loathing. Because it {the challenges, the doubts, the overwhelm} is no longer unexpected. Thus I also do not spin my mental wheels asking “WHY?” or engage in vain attempts to figure it out, resolve it … or {gasp!} — waste time “job hunting” so I can put on a fake smile and pretend I want to be someone’s employee.

The problem is this:

Living our dreams — as artists, writers, mothers, community leaders, careerists-in-the-making, etc. — means we endure the crap {naturally occurring waste matter} of our dreams — as often as necessary. For example:

We create our various brands and types of proverbial masterpieces and we sell … even when we are feelin’ like a hooker {vulnerable, hardened, raw}.
We celebrate our choices and careers … even when we brainstorm ourselves into overwhelm and wrestle with futility making our elevator pitch one.more.time.
We deal with people who ask us to work for free, who copy our ideas or tell us we are not realistic, etc. etc. {by ignoring them, since we choose to focus our energy on our creativity and productivity}
We accept gifts and temporary jobs to earn the cash we need for necessities … without making unnecessary promises or obligating ourselves beyond what is reasonable {we say “thank you!” and we resist guilt and self-loathing}.
We love deeply and invest ourselves in healthy relationships … by embracing those in our inner circle {all kinds, all ages — even when we wonder how we could love — and be loved — so deeply but be so frustrated and feel so helpless and inept and whiny}

Yes. I still spin in circles. Yes, although I have freelanced as a single gal, I am married and not the primary income earner. But the issue is …

This is not about money.

It is about accepting what cannot be changed.

And knowing what you don’t want.

It is about not changing your mind simply because your circumstances are not having a parade in your honor. It is excessively challenging to live a squiggly-line life. To focus on developing streams of income in order to splash in one as a freelancer.

And, yes, sometimes we do what we must to pay the electricity bill or go to the grocery store or put gas in our vehicles. I used to paint advertising banners at the end of most months in order to pay my rent. I learned to save my cash, because my landlord didn’t accept plastic. AND sometimes I used my plastic to buy groceries, the occasional pair of leather pumps or dinner with a client. It happens.

Freelancing is about endurance and being brutally honest with yourself about what must be done — and redefining the problem.

And when that feels overwhelming: unplug.

New and improved and.or different definitions will never be produced by “running faster” or “killing yourself” over details to “make it happen.”

The most productive response to stress is exercise and rest.

Yes.

That means doing something other than trying harder to create business income — especially if you are an artist.

In the end … ALL of this works together for your benefit. Even when it feels like hell. The worst of life is where we grow and create the most impact. It burns away the fluff of busyness and ego.

This is especially true if you have a tribe of kindreds and if you will embrace the ease and wisdom of the 80-20 Rule. Google it, Braveheart.

‘Cause my timer is chiming; I gotta go make art.