What is it with the rampant self-doubt?
You concoct so many reasons why you can’t or shouldn’t do what you want. No time, money, support, etc. Classes to take, kids to care for, relationships to tend to, and so on. There should be a diagnosis code for this. Call it self-doubt 101, something so many of us suffer from.
What is the possible treatment?
There’s going onto the therapists couch and analyzing who, what, when, and where. Then there’s taking a trip, running away, and trying to find the answers elsewhere. And let’s not forget, the way most of us treat our excuses about why we don’t do what we always wanted: you stuff it down to the back of your soul and plod on. Doing what you think you ‘should’ do.
Here is another option.
Take a look at some people that went ahead and did what they always wanted and succeeded. But not before they failed on an epic scale. So take that in, realize that you can choose to do what you always wanted to and get ready to take some huge falls. After falling and floundering, getting doors slammed in your face, being called all kinds of names, and shouting back at the voices in your head that scream at you to stop, you WILL succeed – just like these famous people below that did what they always wanted to do.
You are no different than they are.
Sylvester Stallone had it rough as a child. He was taunted in school and in-and-out of foster homes. He was told, “You’re stupid lookin’ do somethin’ else.” His movies grossed over a billion dollars. What he wanted to do: Inspire people and act.
Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four, or read until he was seven years old. Everyone thought he was mentally handicapped and would not accomplish anything. He won a Nobel Prize and became the face of modern physics. What he wanted to do: Study physics and change the world.
Rodin was considered the worst student in his school and was continually rejected when applying to art school. His father called him an ‘idiot.’ He ended up becoming a sculptor and famously created “The Thinker Statue.” What he wanted to do: Be an artist and sculptor.
Elvis Presley was fired by the manager of the Grand Ole Opry after one performance. Presley was told, “You ain’t goin’ nowhere… son. You ought to go back to drivin’ a truck.” What do you know, Elvis became the most popular singer in America. What he wanted to do: Sing and perform.
Winston Churchill failed 6th grade and lost every election for public office until he was 62-years-old. He went on to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Among many other accomplishments, he renewed the world’s faith in the superiority of democracy. What he wanted to do: Serve his country.
Walt Disney went bankrupt and was fired by a news editor for ‘lack of imagination.’ He was the man who gave us Disney World and Mickey Mouse. What he wanted to do: Entertain people.
It’s YOUR turn.
What do you want to do? Imagine if these individuals above would have not felt they should do what they always wanted to do. We wouldn’t have Mickey Mouse! Or “Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go” (Elvis). How about the Winston Churchill quote: “Never, never never give up? The theory of relativity.” How about Rocky – that movie inspired people all over the world to go for their dreams and never give up. You have something that you always wanted to do and we are waiting, the world is waiting. Even if it’s something you don’t think will be the next Thinker Statue, it will light your soul and everyone around you will be encouraged by you. This ripple effect can make a change for generations to come. Put the Rocky soundtrack on and run up and down the stairs and imagine what your life would be like if you were doing what you always wanted to do. Prepare for bumps and bruises, knowing that that’s part of the game of life. And in the end, you will be pumping your fist, standing tall and proud of living your life the way you want to. You’ll be using the gifts you have until you cannot squeeze another drop out. Then squeeze some more. Featured photo credit: Do What You Love via flickr.com
