Note: This article is Part 2 in a 5 Part series called Mini-Journaling to Max Your Creativity. Just tuning in? Get Part 1 here.
The image above is a groovy congratulations card received when The Creative Entrepreneur was first released in the November, 2008.
You’ll learn how I made a groovy mini-journal out of that card from my first book signing in just a sec.
First, we’ll dive in to the topic of fear. Why? Because whenever we are moving toward a big dream, project, goal (like my book was to me) fear is naturally going to arise. I’ll talk more about why fear arises next segment. For now, I’d like to introduce you to a simple way to get to know how fear shows up for you.
Our topic today is: Fear Itself
Fear is paralyzing.
Fear stops us from doing, and then stops us from dreaming. We need to keep our dreams alive to feel alive.
Fear can be insidious. This means: fear can sneak up on us in subtle ways. Then we’re afraid, but we don’t even know it.
To become aware of what scares us is an act of liberation.
To begin, simply make lists of:
- things that scare you
- scary ideas
- radical wonderings
- stuff you would do if you weren’t scared
- things you haven’t done because of fear
- scary things you see other people do
- worst-case scenarios
- ways you scare yourself
- ways you have demonstrated bravery
Do some writing in your mini-journal. Here are few journaling prompts:
This fear topic got me thinking about…
What excites me about naming my fears is…
What I never imagined about fear is…
What would help me be a little bit stronger right now is…
p.s. you can do this exercise in any old journal, notebook or a scrap of paper. The making of a mini-journal is optional. See Part 1 for instructions on making a mini-journal.
Woohoo: A Congrats Mini-Journal
Next time you’re at a party or special event, steal this idea to create an in-the-moment mini-booklet that captures the spirit of the attendees.
When The Creative Entrepreneur was first released, my publisher flew me from San Francisco to Portland (one of my favorite cities!) to do a book launch/signing at a huge creativity event and present a short workshop.
I had just an hour for my workshop, so I turned people on to mini-journals. I brought all the supplies and people made all sorts of little booklets while roamed I talked about how important it is for artists (and all of us) to develop healthy creative habits.
Since I had a bunch of blank paper with me (and the long-reach stapler) I quickly cut up some pages to fit inside the congratulations card I got and stapled them to the cover. Instant mini-journal, and my favorite way to make these.
Then, I passed the booklet around the room, asking anyone who felt inspired to leave a note for me. They were invited to draw and paste or staple in their business cards, if they wanted to stay in touch.
Here’s what some of the pages look like:
Fear & Writing A Book
Writing a book is daunting in so many ways. Every author I’ve spoken with has encountered abundant fear in every part of the process.
How I Dealt With Fear
The main “technique”, if you can call it a technique, I used whenever I got into a particularly fearful place while writing The Creative Entrepreneur is this:
1. Quiet my mind. As much as possible, I would stop thinking and obsessing and just get quiet.
2. Take a few deep breaths in the not-thinking mode.
3. Imagine the people out there in the world I am writing for. The book I’m writing isn’t for me. It’s for them. I imagine them finding the book and it’s just what they need at that moment.
Connecting with my future readers is what kept me going through the hard parts.
That’s why it’s so rewarding for me now, when I get an email or comment on the blog from someone who shares how much The Creative Entrepreneur is helping them. Full circle!
So…What Do You Think About Our Friend, Fear?
Share your wisdom, love, questions and/or a link to your mini journal in the comments.
Next week, we’ll dive into the paradox of Love vs. Fear. Oh boy!
Related posts:
Howdy! I’m Lisa Sonora Beam, author of The Creative Entrepreneur. I teach people how to get unstuck and use their creativity to make a living doing what they love. 
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Lisa – I’m one of the people you wrote the book for. I was over in California from England in January (exhibiting my rubber stamp company at CHA for the first time – very scary) and I found your book in Borders on our last day before we flew home. THANK YOU!
Glenda
Hello Lisa!
I found your site last week. What a fabulous discovery!!!
I order your book and I can’t wait to read it and explore new ways to accomplish my project (writing a book…). Love your blog. This mini-journal about fear talk to me a lot. I think I don’t do anything because of that ( fear).
I will try your advice and come back to give you feedback on my experience.
Take care,
Anne (from Canada)
I love your “technique” for working with fear, Lisa. It’s so nice and simple. It’s easy to take for granted what we have and forget that there’s people out there waiting for us to share it. Thanks!
I’ve been breaking down my scary goals to the next really EASY step. I word the step so it sounds so fun I can’t wait to do it. So what was that thing, “fear?” I’m having so much fun doing the little steps, I’ve forgotten about getting overwhelmed.
I’m always inspired by your newsletter/commentary. FEAR is a huge distraction and show stopper. I’m always interested in how others deal with it. Like Glenda above, and so many others, I love your book. I have a small “publish one or many” business. Your daily action idea has been a great productivity booster. Thanks for your ongoing inspiration.
Thanks Lisa, a wonderful piece of serendipity for me, I am right in the throws of wrestling with my fear monster, who rears his ugly head saying ‘what’s the point, who cares’.
Thanks for the support, I’ll let you know who wins!
Hi Lisa… I’m finding this series very inspiring and I’m following along. I posted a link about this post at the Yahoo Group “The Art Journal” as our bi-weekly prompt. The topic of “fear” will definitely take some exploration on my part… I know it’s holding me back. I love your little journals and I’m going to buy a stapler with a longer neck so I can make some of them.
Thanks so much, Emie