| By now it's starting to sink in that it's actually 2010 and we're moving full steam ahead. Many of us have set goals around what we're passionate about achieving in the new year. But how do we go from THINKING about our goals to actually taking the leap to make them happen?
In my Passion into Action workshop, I talk about a concept John F. Kennedy once referred to as "throwing your hat over the fence." The analogy is that if you throw your hat over the fence, you will HAVE to climb over that fence to get it. You're committed. To metaphorically "throw your hat" means you announce what you're going to do and when you're going to do it, preferably to people who matter to your career or your life. This, in turn, propels you into action because there's no going back.
As a writer myself, I'm always looking for ways to create that accountability and commitment. Recently, I was working on a screenplay that had great marketability, but I kept putting it down and losing motivation. So, I decided to set a date to do a staged reading of it. I booked the theater, made the announcement and prayed that my creative juices would flow. And they did. Knowing that my work - good or bad - was going to be read out loud to an audience was productive pressure at its best. I completed the final draft and had a fantastic reading that opened a lot of doors for me.
How can you throw your hat - or flip your lid - over the proverbial fence? Whatever you choose to do, it should be realistic so you're set up for success, but also challenging so you're compelled to get to work. And it can't be easy to take back - like sharing your plans with Mom, when you know that, even if you don't follow through, she'll love you anyway. You want to announce your intentions to people who may NOT love you anyway if you don't follow through. By making this commitment (even if it's a little scary!) you'll be creating that motivation and accountability that can often be the keys to success.
One great outcome of my staged reading is that a successful writer wants to produce my next project. I emailed him a couple days ago asking if he'd like to meet next week to go over my new script outline. Guess what? Right now, I don't have my new outline, but I can promise you that by next week I will. I have thrown my hat and must follow.
Talk soon!
Libby
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LIFE in production
