There are times when the only thing that seems to work is just to “get it out”. It is for this reason that I’d like to continue my venting blogs on Monday’s. This is where I will encourage myself–and all of you, dear readers–to simply get things off of our chest. Perhaps we can use it as a space to clear our heads and share the lessons we have learned along the way.
This week, I will dedicate the post to all of the “crazy-makers” in our lives. You know the type. They are often brilliant, charming, intuitive and charismatic men and women who also happen to infuse your life with unnecessary drama.
Worse, many of them are quite gifted at taking over your life and/or business without your even realizing it. You think you have a confidante you can trust who is eager and quite capable of “fixing” things, when in actuality, you have someone who is creating chaos and discord in your life.
This was my experience. After years of looking the other way, I recently made the decision to part ways with a major “crazy-maker” in my life. Though their behavior is quite clear to me now, I can safely say that I was blind to their madness. I simply did not realize how much chaos and discord they could evoke while appearing to be rational.
So, how do you know if you have a “crazy-maker” around you? They are easy to identify.
They love to create drama–especially when there is no need for it. They spend your time and money with ease and hate to be on anyone’s schedule (aside from their own, of course). They are addicted to chaos and whip situations into a frenzy whenever possible. Most importantly, they thrive on attention. Whether that attention is positive or negative is of little concern to them.
Oh, wait. I think I just described myself.
You see, the trouble with crazy-making is that it’s not always someone else’s problem. We all have a crazy-maker inside of us. They are often the most dangerous and damaging.
Let me start by sharing my own craziness:
I am stubborn, extremely demanding, still think of myself as “not good enough”, and yes, my creativity mostly happens at the very last minute. This can create a lot of chaos in my office.
Getting to a place where I could acknowledge this to myself was difficult. Sharing it with you is even more so, but how can I ask of others what I am unwilling to do myself?
Question:
Do you have the courage to share with us your most secret craziness? I promise you, it could be very liberating, and the first step to recovery.
(Photo courtesy of Amazon.com)
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Janel Keen
July 16, 2012
This is one of my favorite books!! On the about us section on my website it have the quote,
“Creativity is the Creator’s gift to us, being creative is our gift to the Creator.”
Julia Cameron, Author “The Artist’s Way”
Shaun
July 16, 2012
I guess my craziness would be that I always bend over backwards to make sure my clients are happy. Even though I’m just their wedding or event planner, I go out of my way to see that they are beyond happy in all aspects of their life, and it is smooth sailing for the duration of my contract with them. It gets me in more trouble than I care to admit to, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I get mad at myself for only as long as it takes me to remember that it’s me causing my added stress, and then I tolerate the crazy!
On another note, you spoke about artists. As a planner, I work best with florists, photographers, and the like by allowing them to have creative license over the projects I invite them to undertake. My job isn’t to create, it’s to oversee creation and make sure that creation is executed, so I never EVER micromanage the creative process. I wouldn’t have a job if it wasn’t for the artists that pull the client’s vision to life every day.
Lindsey Huddleston
July 16, 2012
i can definitely have control/power issues, and also a problem with procrastinating :/
Simply Lavish Weddings & Events, LLC
July 16, 2012
My biggiest craziness would have to be that I’m a huge procrastinator of time, which leads to my other crazzies. My creative juices flow the best when I’m up against the clock. It drives others crazy and that I truly prefer to work alone. I’m so TYPE A, it’s hard for me to release control over something that will be a reflection of me. I’m still work in progress☺
Karen
July 18, 2012
I am a recovering ‘controlista’.
I’ll cede control to an aspect of a project if you appear to be perfect at it…
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