I titled this post, “Don’t Be A Failure!” for a reason. To me, failure means giving up. If you continue to fight the good fight, regardless of the odds, even if you lose, you are still winning. You have stood behind your convictions and pushed back at your detractors.
I have heard it said that it takes seven positive things to be said to a person to boost their ego/confidence/whatever and only one negative thing to pull it all down. I believe that to be true and more so for creative types (yes, I include myself in that group).
It drives my wife crazy when I let some foolish comment or imagined slight pull me down when I have so many people in my corner. I get my share of good and even great feedback. Why do I let the occasional lapse bother me?
That is a question I ask myself over and over again. The thing is, I get over it. I give myself a mental smack and move on. That moving on is the important piece.
When I really start to analyze (yes, I do too much of that) those feelings of doubt, I realize that I am not giving enough credit to all of you. I want you to know that your support is extremely important. I value each and every one of you and love it when I hear back from you. I would like to think that it is because of the great value I place on your support that I worry when I don’t get it. In truth, you shouldn’t have to reinforce that support periodically.
In other words, “It’s not you, it’s me.” (good thing we aren’t dating or I would be driving you crazy about now)
So, when I do get the perceived slaps, it is critical that I get over them and continue. It’s even more important to remind myself of all the fantastic people who believe in me and what I do. To do otherwise is to admit defeat and down that road lies failure.
So, thank you for your support. Thank you for having my back. It doesn’t get said enough, but it is how I feel.
Thank you.
