Staying Flexible and the Virtue of Keeping an Open Mind

Last Update: July 20, 2011


You recognize the "right move" when it appears before you. If you sense something is not quite right, not just the right direction or way you want to go, then listen to your intuition. The right answer will reveal itself to you in its own good time.

There's nothing wrong with delaying action and there's nothing wrong with proceeding with a luke warm action either.

Just some personal experience and insight that has been valuable to me lately, so I'm sharing.

Is there danger in thinking too much? Yes, if it blindsides you. Yes, if it paralyzes you. Yes, if it makes you uptight and precious.

I like the notion of "the work in progress".

Are you ever finished with a site, a niche, a concept, or yourself?  Sure hope not. The dynamic of change is what gives everything life. Nature is changing all the time. If things are too pat, then they get boring, both to the observer and to the creator. Keep it fresh! So that's why I like to keep it moving. To my mind, nothing is ever finished, even if you decide to just let it be. It should have that sense of life.

IM benefits, it actually depends on experimentation and change. That's why you can learn the basics of IM, but the "art" comes from you. You make real progress when you try things out. You discover what works. A guru can tell you what he or she did to succeed or not, but that is no guarantee it'll work for you. Frustrating? No, liberating.

Think about it. The power is in your hands. Much safer, huh? You have to trust yourself and your own intuition.

I've been working on a project for a long time, and have had this annoying nagging feeling that something important is missing. A concept, not a detail.  Last week, it all started to come together and make sense for me. The proof of the pudding is in the tasting, so acting on this insight is crucial in order to know for sure if my intuition is correct.  

If you're feeling stuck on something, get away from it for a couple days. Try to forget about it. Answers will start coming to you. I promise. It works every time.

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nomadkfd Premium
Doggone it. It was so much easier before I found this IM thing. Now I have a burning desire to make this work and it won't even cool a little, usually the opposite.

Finding your post today was karma. I can't thank you enough. I needed to read this Today.

Thank You,
Ken Damon
jatdebeaune Premium
@Jamie Smith: Everybody is a work in progress. Just means you keep growing. Success isn't a dead end street. @Naganco: After you've soaked up enough info, you get your own ideas to test. Trust them. You have inner guidance. @Louise M. Thanks Louise. Once people can trust themselves, they lose the fear of the process. Well, whichever comes first.
Louise M. Premium
Very good post Joan. I totally agree with you. I'm afraid many people lost the ability to trust themselves and trust what they can learn from trying things out. But that's a precious advice for sure. :)
Naganco Premium
Thanks for yet another inspirational post. I have been trying to trust my intuition lately, but every once in a while that little voice in my head asks me "What do you think you're doing? That's not what so-and-so said to do." It can be hard to stay positive sometimes, so thank you again, I appreciate the reminder that I am good enough, and smart enough to do this, and to keep trying different things, and never give you.
Jamie Smith Premium
Excellent blog as always Joan. Some of my best choices in life and with my career all came from the gut. Although I am successful, I too am a work in progress.
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