This is the inevitable emotional thought process when creating anything great. This 12 stage journey is vital when creating anything, and even though we know this process, it doesn’t prepare us for the ups and downs of what’s to come. Anyway, this is the emotional journey of creating anything great :
Stage 1 – This is the best idea ever!!
This thought is always the first one to pop into my head when I’m beginning something. Depending on what I’m creating, I usually always have a positive attitude to what’s to come and hope the end product turns out amazing. I think having this positive mindset when it comes to learning or anything you’re doing, is essential because the process of creating something will be a waste if you don’t want to be on that journey in the first place.
Stage 2 – This will be fun
At this stage, you’re still convinced that what you’re about to do will be worth the journey, and are excited for what’s to come. You’ve given this idea a little more thought, and even though there might be a small, nagging voice in your head, you still seem headstrong to start your project.
Stage 3 – This is harder than I thought
Well, I guess you started listening to that nagging voice in your head then. This is the stage that you start to realise that your project is tougher than it first appeared. The point where your path leads you to a fork in the road. You have 2 options. Do you continue with your project? You know it’s difficult, but you know the end result is good. Or do you take the easy road, and just quit and give up before it gets too difficult for you?
Stage 4 – This is going to be a lot of work.
Huh… This seems tougher than you expected. You realise that this is going to take a lot of work, and you need to put in more effort than you intended to originally.
Stage 5 – This sucks and I have no idea what I’m doing.
The point in your journey when you realise that this was a bad idea and that you don’t understand it at all. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way and most people end up at this stage, ready to fall into the swamp of despair.
Stage 6 – #%@}!!!!!!!
Welcome to the dark swamp of despair! I guess it’s time to give up now, huh? This project was a lot harder than you first thought it would be. It seems too difficult and a waste of time, so you think the best option is just to call it quits.
Stage 7 – Okay, but it still sucks.
Eh… This still sucks, but it’s not that bad. Even though it is difficult, you keep going and it starts to seem a bit easier.
Stage 8 – Quick, let’s call it a day and say we learned something.
You are eager to finish for the day and move onto something else that is much easier for you to handle. Like watching youtube… 😉
Stage 9 – Hmm…
This ain’t so bad now…
Stage 10 – Hey!
Woah… This is coming together!!
Stage 11 – Wow.
I think I’ve actually finished now…
Stage 12 – This is one of the things I am most proud of
You stuck with it, even though all the difficult challenges you faced. The hard work and determination paid off in the end, and now you have something that you are very proud of.
And that is the emotional journey of creating anything great. From all the highs to the lows, this emotional but worthwhile journey is something everyone goes through. Knowing that we are going to go through these phases doesn’t make it easier for us to tackle the great thing we want to do. But this emotional journey is inevitable, and in the end, it’s the journey that counts, not the final product.
