As I prepare my mind to embark on a new week, I can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed not only at the things I must do this week, but more perplexed by the things that I wish to accomplish. Despite my strong desire to step out on a ledge and pursue a lofty goal my mind is telling me I can’t get it done. Not because I don’t have the time, but because my mind is singing the tune of fear of rejection and pending failure. I’m dreaming big and with big dreams come work, and with work comes discipline and to be honest at times I am more like the wayward disobedient child to the things that my mind tells me I can do.
Sitting down on Saturday evening I came across an article in MORE magazine written by Kathryn Stockett who is the author of the best seller The Help. In summary the author explains how she received nearly 60 rejections for her manuscript but she never gave up. She explained how she would lie to her husband and friends and would sneak off to hotels on the weekends so she could write. She felt the need to do so in an effort to not explain why after so many rejections she believed in her work and was going to keep at it until somebody saw her vision.
I felt her on this. I find myself muting my dreams of growth for Divinitee and other business aspirations for fear of what some people might say..okay and setting out to do something and failing. FAILURE is a huge thing with me.
Out of the entire article the following passage spoke to me.
“The point is, I can’t tell you how to succeed. But I can tell you how not to: Give in to the shame of being rejected and put your manuscript-or painting, song, voice, dance moves, [insert passion here] – in the coffin that is your bedside drawer and close it for good. I guarantee you that it won’t take you anywhere. Or you could do what this writer did: Give in to your obsession instead. And if your friends make fun of you for chasing your dream, remember- just lie.”
On that note, I’m going to take a stab at it and if I have to lie to your face I will!
What will you set out to accomplish this week that fear says you can’t do?
Have a great week!
9 Comments
Kita
April 25, 2011 at 8:45 amLove it fear will keep you from doing lots of things. Fear holds people back but if it’s something worth doing then as the nike commercials say “Just do it”. One of my favorite qoutes that I keep telling myself is “Wish it, dream it, do it” I can’t wait to hear of your new adventures because I know you are going to succeed.
Mama Violet
April 25, 2011 at 10:41 am*high five* I know you’re going to succeed in your endeavors.
Btw, I’m listening to The Help right now. I’m glad she didn’t give up. I’m enjoying the “read”.
Aracely
April 25, 2011 at 10:46 amInspiration is always great, sounds like a great article! I say go for it. I’d love to step out and do the things I set out to do years ago, I think I lost my motivation somewhere. Do it…
New follower! 🙂
Peyton's Mom
April 25, 2011 at 11:37 amDo what you gotta do! Like 50 said, “if they hate then let them hate and watch the money pile up” : )
YUMMommy
April 25, 2011 at 1:00 pmThis week I am setting out to accomplish rounding up some sponsors for YUMMommy so that I can attend a few blog conferences coming up. I’m also working on some new designs for the YUMMommy store and trying to put together the finishing touches on a coffee table book I want to publish before this year is out.
Like you I’ve been letting fear hold me back but after the weekend I had I’m learning that time is not promised to us and that our lives can change in an instant.
fran
April 25, 2011 at 7:17 pmUmmmmm…. I am seriously thinking about doing a Blog/Twit Round Up that focuses on branding… Let me work on this!
Cynthia@Beach Coast Style
April 26, 2011 at 1:14 pmi do understand what you are feeling it’s just like when I started this blog a couple of weeks ago i was asking myself why would you do that now? you already have more on your plate than you know what to do with. but, what I discovered I had been saying that for over 3 years and had no blog. then the old inside the head talk who wants to read what you have to say why would they then one day I let the fear move on and just did it. i am always telling my children don’t allow fear to dictate your behavior because if you do you will always get results you didn’t intend. so you do what you need to do and don’t let fear or excuses stop you. you know when your plate is full, you know when you need to step aside and you will. good luck to you. i didn’t type in correct sentences so don’t hold me to my bad grammer 🙂
dayka @life+style
April 26, 2011 at 5:38 pmi say all the time that my motto for the year is “pushing past fear”. i took a step earlier this year and paid for a booth to sell some items at a very well-known market, only to find that nothing sold. NOT ONE SINGLE THING. i sat out there all day for 4 days, and not selling anything was my worst fear, and it still came true despite my preparation. in the end, i found that something remarkable happened–nothing sold, and it was still okay. i felt good that i pushed my limits and checked something off my list and what i ended up learning was much more important than the money i would’ve made (although that would’ve been nice too!!). great article excerpt!
Nikki
April 26, 2011 at 8:10 pmOne thing I have learned is that fear has no power by itself….it’s us that gives it the power. Recently I made the decision to step out on faith and pursue my dreams and actually this week I have been working very hard to make my dreams become a reality. If my endeavor isn’t successful it won’t be because I didn’t give it my all….. it would be because God has another purpose for my life….and that’s all!