Get Out There and Make a Mess

No one wants to make a mess. We are taught never to make a mess. Keep everything clean, pretty, sterile.

It’s no wonder we’re so hesitant to go out and try things we haven’t done yet. That’s messy. We might just f*#% it up. Then what? Shame, guilt, humiliation, failure? The whole world laughing at us, or worse, whispering quietly to each other as they walk briskly past, shaking their heads?

So we toil away, reading, taking course after course, reading more, watching, listening, wringing our hands. Pretty soon, the energy that burned so brightly when the budding idea first became a thing, has now fizzled and died, wasted on the constant search for some proof it will work.

It feels like you’ve been working on this thing for months but it hasn’t yet seen the shining faces of the rest of the world, arms open and ready to receive your perfect gift. If only you knew it was perfect…

Meanwhile, over here, Jump-to-it Jessie went and barfed her first draft all over the market and scribbled furiously as she watched her audience squeeze it and squish it, turn it over in their hands, hold it up to the light, toss it on the ground or cradle it gingerly.

She winced and cringed, had some moments of revelation, but noticed it all. She was quickly back at work, creating Version 2. This time, more people cradled and held it, and others started asking for one too. When Version 3 arrived, they were waiting with open arms.

You see, as my coach, Jenny Shih, always says, “clarity comes from action.” And no truer words have been spoken.

So go out there and make a mess. No one’s watching, waiting behind the door to tweet-storm the bruises on your apples. The very worst that can happen is crickets. It’s both humbling and liberating to know no one cares until you do something to impact them (hopefully in a good way).

The sooner you fail, the closer you are to getting it right. The real world feedback that makes you cringe is, hands down, the very best way to quickly right your path and make your way to success.

Sparkly, shiny and clean.

Nah, who am I kidding? You’ll be making new messes by then.

Tell me in the comments…

What kind of messes have you made recently?