[ I saw this TED Talk Video that's sort of the basis, or at least the inspiration, for this entry but I can't for the life of me figure out how to embed it, so if you're really curious, you can watch it. It's about creativity... and all that jazz. Otherwise, the following blog entry will probably make sense without the video too. ]

Every mistake is an Opportunity.

Realize that now.

Whatever “mistakes” you make can be turned around to something totally different and new and better.

Reframe your mistakes in the context of positivity.

Reframing can change a negative context into something positive. Consider my favorite Zen koan about the farmer who experiences a loss when his horse disappears. People around him tell him how awful it must be and his only reply is “Maybe.” Then the horse comes back with two new horses and people say that he is lucky to have more horses for his farm. His only reply is “Maybe.” Then his son rides one of the new horses and falls off, breaking his leg. People say it’s horrible and his only reply is “Maybe.” Then, the army recruits healthy men for the war and reject the farmer’s son because of his broken leg. People say he has such luck, because he gets to stay safe at home… and so on and so forth. Maybe.

The point is, context changes everything. So in the moment of a mistake, simply change the context. Roll with it. Flow. Let it be. Move on.

This is creativity.

It’s messy.

It’s chaotic.

It’s never perfect.

It’s malleable; able to change. Thrives on change.

It’s improv.

I always seem to find crazy opportunities so effortlessly. Crazy finds crazy, I guess.

Crazy Opportunity #1

I randomly found this “dream job” and was thinking of applying. It had all the enticing apple candy. Opportunities to travel. Designer office. Alternative work environment. Unconventional approaches. Living on a tropical island. Meditation.

Then, I told my friend and he told me he works there and could totally get me in and that they were hiring designers like crazy.

Mouthwater. Enticing. Want want want.

But wait a minute. Didn’t I just quit a job, and swear I wasn’t going down that path again and that I was completely unemployable and I just need to pursue my own path because that’s the ONLY way that makes sense to me?? Not so fast.

I have come to the realization that my lesser self still lets fear hold me back, and still thinks that I need the security of a company that I can be OK with to help me “learn skills” to build my business. Because… because… I’m not ready yet!

Being Ready

Being ready means giving up those lazy days, and being disciplined enough to work on your own.

Being ready means stepping up to your responsibilities and executing your own path by making the decisions that support it.

Being ready means entering chaos. Change. And lots of uncomfortable creativity.

Being ready means bypassing fear and forging on. Making mistakes.

I’ve come to the realization that I’ve let fear stall my path, and that my coping mechanism is to stay in this limbo of Not Doing, Not Creating (or doing a half-assed job at it) and saying I’m Not Ready.

But I am ready. And it’s time to change my mindset. I’ve done enough research. Read enough e-books and blogs. And networked through the blogosphere enough that people at least know who I am. I’ve dangled my toes in the water long enough. It’s time to jump in.

Crazy Opportunity #2

So I got this private message tweet from Cody of Digital Nomad Academy giving me the heads up that he was offering a 100% SCHOLARSHIP (said in bold italicized underlined CAPS to be more obnoxious) to the program (see what I mean about the networking!? I got internet rockstars telling me about their offers before they officially announce to the public!) and thought I might be interested.

Completely flattered to get a personal heads up. And HECK YES.

(More bragging rights: I’ve been featured twice on Untemplater, the blog that Cody co-founded. One was an interview on my entrepreneur journey so far, where Sydney, the writer who took over Untemplater, called me a “Digital Nomad” and the other was a guest blog on How Buddhism Taught Me Lifestyle Design.)

And I came to the realization that dream jobs don’t exist because the only dream job is the one that YOU CREATE. I don’t need some fancy office to do it. I just need me, my laptop, and my ideas EXECUTED.

As scary as it is, forging my own path is the only way I roll. Why? Because it’s messy. It’s chaotic. And it’s uncomfortable creativity at its best. It’s improv! DIY style. This former riot grrl with punk rock ethos isn’t going to fit “company culture” and mold to anyone but me.

I had no idea when I was writing the first paragraph that this would morph into my submission for Digital Nomad Academy. And that’s how I like it. Writing, creativity, life is a flow. I don’t like formulas. I see pieces and then I see how they can fit together. That’s my philosophy on life. And that’s how I roll!

2012 Will Be My Bitch

And that is all.

Janet

Janet is a Professional Hobo, burgeoning entrepreneur and homeless nomad passionate about working with creative world changers and showing people how to march to their own beats.