Seth Godin on how what’s keeping you stuck trying to solve a problem often isn’t the problem itself but rather a bunch of heavy, entangled baggage we need to let go of.
We often stay stuck because we confuse situations we must accept with problems we can solve, while dragging along old identities, imagined expectations, and sunk costs. Getting unstuck means seeing the problem clearly, deciding what the work is for, and letting go of whatever no longer serves that purpose.
It’s simple because it helps us see what’s right in front of us, and it’s hard because once we see it, we have to do something with what we learn.
We’re stuck because we are entangled, like a knot with ropes linking and circling each other that we can’t discern. We are entangled with all sorts of nonsense, real and imagined, and what we need to do is figure out whether the multiple things we want are “buts” (which means they are mutually exclusive) or “ands” (which means they point us in the same direction). “I want to run the marathon, but I don’t want to get tired.” That “but” paralyzes us. “I want to run the marathon, and I’m eager to get tired” pushes us in exactly the right direction.
Jackson Pollock wanted two things at the same time. He wanted to be a creative working on the edge, but he also wanted to be embraced, celebrated, and successful. He forgot how long that took the first time. “I want to come up with something innovative, but I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me.” You can’t have both at the same time. We must do one thing at a time. We can do many things over time. One thing at a time. We have to let go of the buts.
We also get entangled with identity: who we think we are, who we think we should become. How do we forgive ourselves for not becoming that person? That person in our head might be disappointed in the short run, but they are not you. You are not the imagined identity. You are the person here to make something better.
So many people are caught. Many people don’t actually have the privilege and agency to make choices. Many people can’t do what you might be able to do right here and right now. They are caught with real walls, not unexamined ones. But each of us, if we have the chance, the shot, to show up and make a ruckus, to make things better, to lead—those are problems worth solving. Thank you for the work you do. Thank you for the work you’re about to do. We need you. Keep making a ruckus.
Seth Godin, What’s keeping you stuck isn’t the real problem
The wanting to do something innovative but not wanting people to misunderstand me is so bloody me. I’m slowly starting to let go of this by realizing it’s just part of the process I have to accept and step into as part of the adventure.
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