I have become a Seth Godin groupie. In the past two weeks, I’ve read The Dip and of course Linchpin, his newest offering and the book that’s inspired me to finally take the plunge and “ship”.
I’ve thought about it, read about it, downloaded “how to” ebooks about it and so on. That’s just a few of the many distractions that have stopped me in my tracks. Each time, I’ve rationalized and come up with what I thought was a valid reason to wait. The lizard brain won each and every time.
Until NOW.
As I’ve immersed myself in Seth-land, I have felt challenged, called out and energized, all at the same time. In The Dip Seth says,
“Quit the wrong stuff. Stick with the right stuff. Have the guts to do one or the other.”
My wrong stuff (procrastinating & obsessing, wasting hours online “researching”, etc.) has been exhausting. My right stuff (hanging out with my writers’ group, even though I was barely writing) has fed my soul, however inconsistently.
Seems like an easy choice, so why has it been so damn hard to quit the wrong stuff?
Enter the lizard brain.
liz-ard: 1 : any of a suborder (Lacertilia) of reptiles distinguished from the snakes by a fused inseparable lower jaw, a single temporal opening, two pairs of well differentiated functional limbs which may be lacking in burrowing forms, external ears, and eyes with movable lids; broadly : any relatively long-bodied reptile (as a crocodile or dinosaur) with legs and tapering tail
The lizard brain (aka: amygdala) is an almond-shaped mass of grey matter whose sole purpose is to keep me alive, keep me safe.
Unfortunately that safety has had a cost that’s recently become unbearable – it’s kept me from expressing my creativity through writing, something I’ve wanted to do as long as I can remember.
Seth also says ,
“If you continue to do the work, the lizard brain will give up.”
This is it then. The first day of the work.
Bye, bye lizard breath.
Carrie,
I don’t think you and I are the only ones with lizard breath 😉 In fact, I think there’s an epidemic of it!
Feel free to connect today in the Coaching Gym; I’m available till 3pm PST.
We lizard slayers need to stick together!
Sandi
Dear Sandi.
thank you for your blog. i feel lately that I have “lizard breath” haha.. I was going to make that my facebook status but I am afraid only you would get it. 🙂
thx again
carrie
One of the things I love about you Sandi is that you know how to play! And now we can all play along.
Great job fellow scribe! Alexandra had it right when she said she just started and then waited to see what came up. I imagine lizard brain hates that kind of open ended action!
You’re right Shea, I love to play and I’m so glad we’re hanging out in the same playground!
Woo Hoo Deva!!!
Congratulations on licking the lizard!
Seth has also inspired me to ‘get a wiggle on’ as my British Granny would have said. I too am wrastling with the lizard and setting short shipping deadlines on some overdue projects.
However, your short shipping deadlines have beat mine all to hell and gone! You are mucho inspiring, and I will be happy to follow along in your slipstream.
Great job, and I will look forward to your next installment!
Seth’s words have definitely inspired me, but our work on the Juicy Life got the ball rolling! Thanks Anne for inviting me to play!
Wow, very thought provoking and inspiring! Congratulations on taking the first step! You are on fire! 🙂
Thanks Crystal! I think Seth’s words lit a fire under my butt 😉
I saw his book at the airport and bought one on Twitter instead. Love his blog, I’m a subscriber. Great post Sandi! Welcome to blogland.
Here’s a great post for you if you haven’t already read it:
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/penelopes-guide-to-blogging/
Thanks Maria! BTW, you totally turned me on to Penelope Trunk. I’m hooked!
Congrats on starting the blog and love this first post!
I too recently read Linchpin and thought it was awesome. 🙂
If you ever need any help with WordPress, setting up domains, hosting, etc., feel free to contact me, as I’m somewhat skilled in those areas and wouldn’t mind lending a hand.
Raam,
Thank you for your generous offer and kind words. I’m excited and terrified today at what I’ve begun and really appreciate your feedback.
Love, love, love, LOVE it!!!! Damn, girl, you are a good writer. I love/hate you for doing this. Hate, cause now I’m gonna have to run to keep up. (No, I’m not even one little bit competitive. No, no) Love, cause now I’m gonna have to run to keep up, and we are so on the same journey, and it is so much fun to be inspired by you.
Great job & Thanks!!!!
Leisa you made me cry. Thank YOU for inspiring me these past few months. We are on the same journey and it feels so good knowing that we’re in it together. xoS