I am an anticipator. I'm always thinking about what's coming next. I started a blog about emptying the nest at the beginning of a 10 year journey to launch my children. I start thinking about the "next" project or program before the first one is done. When I celebrated my 24th birthday I stressed about turning 25. 29, and 39 were tough too.
Being an anticipator fits with my tendency to be an idea person as well. I HAVE GREAT IDEAS! What happens with these ideas though is completely dependent on who is around me at the time. If there are "doers" who are on board, amazing things can happen. If I'm alone, or not clear that I need "doers" the ideas just sink back down and either re-surface later or disappear.
One idea has repeatedly re-surfaced for the last 20+ years. I've probably blogged about it before. Here I go again because it won't leave me alone!
I have imagined an amazing place where children, families, and individuals of all ages could come together to learn and grow using music, movement, theatre, play, and conversation. I can see it. I dream about it. I've taken halting steps to make it a reality. As soon as it starts to seem like it could happen, I get distracted (or scared) and let it drift away.
Right now I have a choice to make. I can be brave and move forward in a clear focused way to assemble the people I need to make my vision a reality, or I can thank that same vision for inspiring me for so many years and let it go once and for all.
But which way to go? There are implications on both sides. If I move forward, it will mean a lot of work, financial risk, probably some compromise, being very vulnerable and quite possibly failure. It could also become one of the most amazing experiences of my life and become a place that brings tremendous value to my community and the people in it.
If I say goodbye to it, there is no risk, life continues as it is. Aside from constantly stressing about finances, my life is pretty amazing, and finances can be worked on to reduce that stress, so not a bad choice. There is the risk of disappointing the people who I've told about my vision, but I've disappointed people before and I'm sure I will again. After 47 years I'm getting better at not beating myself up for this, but it's still hard. It would also mean that I will never know if my dream of 20 years could have become real. I will never know what my legacy could have been.
I read this and think it's kind of a no-brainier.
It's just not that simple. Finances are a stressor and I can't expand my business without resources and financial risk. I also have a child in High School who is really struggling with some tough issues and who needs her mom to be available. I'm starting to think about what retirement might actually be like and instead of imagining perpetual boredom, the idea of reading, puttering in the garden and singing sounds lovely. Do I really want to ramp it all up now?
Maybe there are "doers" reading this who are ready to dive in with me and get to work. Maybe not. Maybe you're saying to yourself "sounds good Jane. Have fun with that." I have a list of doers in my brain. Maybe you're on it. Maybe I'll send you a message. Maybe I won't. If you send me a message I might be more likely to "do" something, even if it's just meet for coffee.
Now it's back to life where the paths diverge. Which way to go?
Being an anticipator fits with my tendency to be an idea person as well. I HAVE GREAT IDEAS! What happens with these ideas though is completely dependent on who is around me at the time. If there are "doers" who are on board, amazing things can happen. If I'm alone, or not clear that I need "doers" the ideas just sink back down and either re-surface later or disappear.
One idea has repeatedly re-surfaced for the last 20+ years. I've probably blogged about it before. Here I go again because it won't leave me alone!
I have imagined an amazing place where children, families, and individuals of all ages could come together to learn and grow using music, movement, theatre, play, and conversation. I can see it. I dream about it. I've taken halting steps to make it a reality. As soon as it starts to seem like it could happen, I get distracted (or scared) and let it drift away.
Right now I have a choice to make. I can be brave and move forward in a clear focused way to assemble the people I need to make my vision a reality, or I can thank that same vision for inspiring me for so many years and let it go once and for all.
But which way to go? There are implications on both sides. If I move forward, it will mean a lot of work, financial risk, probably some compromise, being very vulnerable and quite possibly failure. It could also become one of the most amazing experiences of my life and become a place that brings tremendous value to my community and the people in it.
If I say goodbye to it, there is no risk, life continues as it is. Aside from constantly stressing about finances, my life is pretty amazing, and finances can be worked on to reduce that stress, so not a bad choice. There is the risk of disappointing the people who I've told about my vision, but I've disappointed people before and I'm sure I will again. After 47 years I'm getting better at not beating myself up for this, but it's still hard. It would also mean that I will never know if my dream of 20 years could have become real. I will never know what my legacy could have been.
I read this and think it's kind of a no-brainier.
It's just not that simple. Finances are a stressor and I can't expand my business without resources and financial risk. I also have a child in High School who is really struggling with some tough issues and who needs her mom to be available. I'm starting to think about what retirement might actually be like and instead of imagining perpetual boredom, the idea of reading, puttering in the garden and singing sounds lovely. Do I really want to ramp it all up now?
Maybe there are "doers" reading this who are ready to dive in with me and get to work. Maybe not. Maybe you're saying to yourself "sounds good Jane. Have fun with that." I have a list of doers in my brain. Maybe you're on it. Maybe I'll send you a message. Maybe I won't. If you send me a message I might be more likely to "do" something, even if it's just meet for coffee.
Now it's back to life where the paths diverge. Which way to go?
