I’m forming a new idea. It’s swirling around in my imagination. Bits and pieces show up but the overall form is not yet clear. It is still emerging. I’m not forcing it. I’m allowing it to show up when and how it needs to. I’m allowing this new idea to unfold.
In the past, I would have grabbed those ideas and immediately put them into a form. I even have developed a great system for organizing ideas. However, what’s happening for me right now is the realization that this is not the time to be specific. I have an unformed idea that is slowing coming in and I don’t know what it’s going to look like. I need to be patient.
Don’t do it the old way
Since I don’t have an objective for whatever this is, I cannot choose a specific purpose for this idea. I don’t know what it will do or who it will serve. I am listening to my inner self, noticing the signs and signals that keep showing up and testing how I feel about them. I have no target community in mind because I don’t know what the purpose of this idea is yet. There is no business goal because I have no clue how it will fit into my business or if it even will. I’m simply being and allowing and recording what shows up.
Don’t organize your ideas too soon
It is super easy for me to see a pattern in nearly everything but I’m trying not to look for a specific structure in this one. I know only that I am being prompted to write a series of philosophical articles. This is not new for me but I have not done it for ten years. In the process of this unfolding, I have intuitively chosen some esoteric books to review for concepts to explore. I pulled a ton of ideas from the collection of inspiring quotes that I have saved for myself over the years, and looked back over the philosophical articles I have written in the past. If “philosophical” is the only clue I have for the purpose of whatever this is, what does that mean to me? Right now, I’m simply putting these ideas in one document. I’m resisting the urge to organize them too soon. To label and sort these ideas will be to stop the flow of the emergence of the whole.
Allow the idea to reveal itself
If I start putting labels and categories on whatever is emerging too soon, I will limit it with my human mind. I might look at one piece and make a decision about what the whole is about when it really is only one piece of the overall concept. When I allow it to unfold and simply be with what shows up it remains in my unconscious mind where it can make unlimited connections that I am unable to make with my physical mind. On a personal level, I have many questions about how to live this next portion of my life (I’m 79) and I want some answers. That specific desire may be prompting the emergence of whatever this is. I’m in search mode, not teach mode. If I slap on my physical plane reasoning too soon I will miss the revelations that are coming.
Record your ideas as you go
The one thing I do know to do is to record each discovery as it appears and keep all the ideas together. I may take time to explore what organically shows up or I may just write down the basic concept. The connection and sequence of these ideas will show up when it does. For now, I can only put dates on what I discover as a record of my journey in case that is part of the sequence. This segment is certainly part of what is emerging but where does it fit into the overall concept? Meanwhile, I will figure out ways to personally apply these emerging ideas and see how they work.
Don’t be so eager to share your idea
Whenever I learn something that excites me, my tendency is to turn around and teach it. However, since I’m allowing this to unfold and don’t know where I’m going yet, I will keep it for myself for now. I will write for discovery, for my own guidance and decision making process. At some point, I will understand the whole, the purpose of whatever this is and that will allow me to find ways to effectively share it with others.
Why will you share this idea?
As I allow this idea to unfold, I’m not looking to reach and teach a specific target community (although there is one waiting for this message). I have no reason to add it to my business other than I am curious where this exploration will take me personally. I will write these ideas down but only to stimulate thought and curiosity in others. There, I just found my purpose for whatever this concept turns out to be – to stimulate thought and curiosity in others. As I post these parts and pieces as they emerge perhaps the comments of those who are drawn to it will move us all forward. I will allow the whole to unfold.
How will you share this idea?
I do not want this esoteric idea to be limited by the physical plane. The minute I decide that this is a telecourse or an ebook I put a limit on what it looks like, how long it is, how it will be offered and its specific purpose. I want to be patient and allow myself to be shown what it should be. I am willing for it to be an eclectic format. Some ideas may need to be videos, some blog posts, and others may move into ebooks. I don’t know. The content will tell me. I will wait and let it unfold.
Who needs this idea?
At this moment, I have no idea who needs this other than me. I need to think these concepts out. I need to write for my own understanding. I need to explore what resonates to me. I’m going to ignore all my marketing training and let it unfold organically. What I need to understand someone else does too and they will find me. The energy and passion I feel for this discovery will attract those who need this message.
This is a process of discovery
I have no plan. I have no purpose. I have only the stillness and a need within myself for some guidance. I’m looking for new awareness, perhaps new projects, maybe new friends. I have an undefined need and it is being answered – one disclosure at a time.
When an unformed idea nudges, take your time. Let it tell you what shape it should be when it is ready. Be a steward of your idea and let if unfold in its own time.