Ok, so have you ever noticed how scary it feels when you perceive a choice as a “big mistake ” that can’t be fixed? Guess what?! This is the best news ever! I have come to the happiness producing, more calming than a swedish massage (if that’s your thing) realization that 99% of mistakes are NO BIG DEAL. For girls like me who are recovering from perfectionism this kind of epiphany is HUGE!
The most successful, kick-ass superstars on this planet have already discovered this information. They get it, they know that a mistake is just a learning experience, a chance to tweak their approach, a step closer to reaching their goals.
For the longest time, I sat in “analysis paralysis” feeling like I couldn’t take a step for fear it might be the wrong one. But seriously, life is a process of trial and error, is it not? How are we supposed to know what’s right if we don’t try? Sitting on the sidelines watching the game isn’t much fun. I used to think that if I watched from the bleachers long enough, I would “know” what it was like to be in the game, be one of the players. I was sure that eventually, logging enough time watching (analyzing) I could figure out my game plan. I could sidestep all the mistakes I watched others making and protect myself from failure.
But the thing is, no amount of “spectating” (I warned you I make up my own words) could have prepared me. You can’t really know what it is to be a player UNLESS you ARE a player. Duh, right? You can’t figure out how to be awesome at what you do until you DO IT. The only way to get good at something is to try, fail, get up, try again and keep practicing. And that is OK. Not only is it ok, it is brave.
That’s what I call LIVING, people. Sitting at the edge of the pool, dipping your toe in and thinking that you will learn how to swim? That is a sucky feeling.
But, risking embarrassment, temporary set backs and actually going for it. That is living. That takes courage and a belief in your own ability to figure it out.
That is why I have started writing to you. If I go for it, tell you about my adventures, let you know that I made some big mistakes and silly choices along the way and everything is still OK, better than ok, AWESOME. Then maybe, you can think about some of the edits you want to make to your story too. We aren’t stuck in our stories. Life is a choose your own adventure series. If you went down a path that didn’t work out, you get to go back to the fork in the road and try again. How great is that?? It makes me endlessly happy to know that. It makes me willing to take risks and reach out. How about you?
On that note, here is a beautiful quote to chew on.
Get the printable here. Life you are Proud of
xoxo,
Jen
featured, happiness, life, perfectionism
I am here to help you create an awesome life!
We are in this together, and I. CAN'T. WAIT.
We got this!
xoxo,
Jen
That is absolutely right! I know we will be sitting around in 10 years talking about the day you jumped in!
Jen, I love your “get yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again” attitude! I’m a positive type gal too and love reading other’s positive stories! Keep sharing, it helps all of us! ♡
This is the message I have been preaching! Our awesome group gives us the support to take chances and know that failure is not catastrophic, in fact it’s part of the process.
Yay Jen!
Love this! Awesome job Jen!
Jen! Tomorrow is the 11th. The deadline for you to have your goals done. You did it! Can you believe how much you accomplished in such a short time? I am just so so so happy for you. You seriously ROCK!
This is so, so true! For a long time I felt paralyzed about what my blog niche would be. Then I decided to start writing, experimenting and seeing what sticks! We need to stop being so hard on ourselves!
Keep cranking out this encouragement Jen! And enjoy Creative Live. Wish I was there with ya!