I still remembering wining the Reflections contest when I was in kindergarten. I wrote a paragraph about how I wanted to be exactly like my teacher Mrs. Fitts, and won. I attribute that success to my love for writing. I still have the paper in a box at home.
I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I don't think this says anything about my family. (My brothers later went to college and did better than I did, both making the Deans list.) I only think it is significant because it was outside the box of our families norm. I did something beyond expectation and succeeded graduating with honors.
Yet when I think about things, such as getting a book published, I am terrified. Only a month ago, I told my husband I didn't even really want to get a book published. I told him I had pretty much lost interest in writing at all. (He reprimanded me and told me to stop being a quitter.) But when I imagine having a successful book, it makes me break out in a cold sweat. I am terrified.
"There is another layer to the fear of success. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that the road to success involves risks such as "getting one's hopes up" - which threatens to lead to disappointment."
Dr. Babbel is completely correct. I am afraid of getting my hopes up, and not only disappointing myself, but everyone around me. I also am afraid of expectations of me increasing.
"On some level, it’s more comfortable to stay in a familiar situation, even if it doesn’t feel great on the surface. But achieving success (however you define it) means you are entering uncharted territory. You are putting yourself out there to be scrutinized and criticized, and exposing yourself to new pressures and demands.
It’s only human to wonder whether you’ll be up to the challenge. A small anxious part of you would rather not take the risk." Mark McGuinness(99u.com).
Things are good as they are, why change it? Maybe, because it could be even better.
No comments:
Post a Comment