Start Where You Are

Start where you are.

Creativity is one of our birthrights as humans. This may surprise some of you. I have heard many folks with limiting beliefs who declare, “I am not a creative person.” I can relate because I am in recovery from that exact limiting belief! Let me help you figure this out quicker than I did. You are a creator by the sheer nature of being. You create every day – often without even knowing. Your mind creates thoughts. Your thoughts create choices. Your choices cause your body to create action. Your action creates ripples that impact the world – even the tiniest of actions are a cause that will affect an outcome. Maybe you have yet to be taught to consciously harness this power into something; or maybe you were taught to create and then life got in the way, so your creativity was silenced as a means of survival. You are not alone. Just because your creativity is dormant does not mean it never existed. It is still with you. I promise. 

After starting my Wellison Enterprises Enneagram and Quantum Energy coaching business, I sat with this one specific creative idea for a long time. Finally, one day, I headed to my mudroom, where I had noticed earlier there was good lighting. I curated a decent zoom and live background on the wall behind my laundry counter with some pictures and things, set my light ring and phone stand on top of my washing machine across my background, found a barstool, and got started. I created an Instagram Live series interviewing moms about their journeys with the Enneagram. I had no idea how it would do, but I had to do it. As a mom, I knew the importance of being seen and heard – especially during these pandemic times. In my business and life, I am passionate about spreading the word about the importance of the Enneagram – and having a holistic understanding of each type. I married these two things and created a series of interviews with 24 amazing women, called The Enneagram Mom Interviews.

I did not attach myself to the outcome – just the process and experience. Since the final episode in December, the series has received over 5000 views. Throughout the journey, hilariously, I tried my best to keep the shelf of cleaning product above me out of the image. It was comical, but I made space in that tiny room, for myself and 24 other women. It brings tears to my eyes to think that this space impacted over 5000 people who watched these women talk about their amazing and precious lives in the context of their Enneagram types. 

From this creative inception, everything in my business began to fluidly expand. I met people who want me to grow and succeed, who have connected me to clients, or shared their platforms. It helped me feel empowered to claim more space in my home for an actual office, and I generated enough income through new clients and opportunities, to rent monthly co-work space at Impact Cowork in Newport, to have affordable access to conference rooms and a recording studio where I filmed my first e-course. It inspired my second and current series, the Enneagram Entrepreneur Interviews – same idea, except with female entrepreneurs. Now both series are also housed on YouTube and will soon be made into a podcast. So much is happening now, and so many have felt the love I wished to spread with my creative idea. Continuously, every single day I wake up and start where I am. And every single day, I am so much further than where I started – even on the slower days of rest. 

I heard an interesting opinion on a podcast the other day: that it is selfish to hold onto your gifts and keep them from the world. “How dare you do that?” they said. It was a bit righteous for my taste because I hesitate to assume any power over tying someone’s narrative to the judgmental word “selfish.” I will say this though: it will always be a huge loss to the world to live this life with our beautiful gifts and never release them for the sake of living in our true authentic spirit. Your spirit is here for a reason. It assumed your earthly body with the sole (and soul) purpose of experiencing life. All of life –the good, the hard, the tangible – whole-heartedly with eyes wide open. We do not experience life sleepwalking. We do not experience life with limiting beliefs. 

I wrote this piece because I know someone out there needs to read this. They need this final push. I see you. I am you – I am you 6 months or a year from now after you take the first step. Please let this be your sign. You need only one thing to start where you are: the desire to create what is yours – right now.

What one thing can you do to today to take a step toward your creative dream? Remember: the magic is in the process, not in the outcome. Let the outcome unfold and it will do so beyond your wildest dreams. Embrace all of it. Start where you are.

Whitney Ellison is a thought leader and coach of the Enneagram and Quantum Energy. Learn more about her by visiting her website, wellisonenterprises.com and following her @wellisonenterprises on Instagram where you can find all of her Enneagram series interviews and other comings and goings.