Today is one of those blah days – you know the ones where you wake up lacking energy or inspiration or both. On top of that you know you have to turn up to work (or whatever it is you have to turn up to), ‘put in an appearance’ and make some sort of worthwhile contribution.

I am now entering my second year of writing for CareerActually and over this time I have read lots about how to put a blog together, keep it current and relevant, consistently produce quality material, and keep readers engaged. Today I am struggling (although I’m not supposed to let you know that). I’m struggling for inspiration and ideas to create a worthwhile post for my readership. And I feel under a substantial amount of pressure to do just that with the mantra “publish regularly” looping through my brain.

Yesterday I came across on a good piece of advice published on the cool site PaidToExist – the best way to solve a problem is to give up. In others words it can pay to walk away from what is bothering you, give it space, leave it alone and then return to it (or not) with a fresh perspective. Better than forensically examining and then re-examining the ins and outs of ‘the problem’ when you know you are failing  – despite you intentions – to make headway. Indeed you are probably making the whole thing more complex than it needs to be.

So, leave that alone and start afresh, but on what, with what? Can you and I create something from a seeming void and make progress on an empty tank? I guess we can – we just need to make a start.

When I work with my clients we move towards identifying specific actions that they feel committed to take that will help them move their careers and lives in the direction they want to go in. Sometimes these people come to me feeling lost and confused, not knowing what to do next. Sometimes this turns up almost as a paralysis, where there is little momentum for change despite a strong desire to do so. The will doesn’t always show the way, and it is our job together to create something new from what seems (but actually isn’t) nothing. Usually we succeed and the client achieves re-newed clarity, enthusiasm and momentum.

I am reminded at this point of one of this blog’s most popular posts written by Amelia Ishikawa back in August last year. I’m so uninspired that its inspirational is such a witty and intelligent piece written in Amelia’s quirky style. It includes this great quote from Chuck Close:

Inspiration is for amateurs; the rest of us just show up and get to work. If you wait around for the clouds to part and a bolt of lightening to strike you in the brain, you are not going to make an awful amount of work.

So there you go – maybe I have created something out of nothing, with thanks to a nice nudge from Chuck and Amelia. Certainly that blah feeling that clouded my day’s start has now cleared away – creativity disguised as action can do that to you.

Until next time, go well

Carole