Many years ago, I was working on a project called “Words Dipped In AWESOMESAUCE!”, and it was essentially just a place to share my positive thoughts. I wanted to create a sort of space where, over time, I could look back and see if the words would boost the spirits of others, like they did for me. While most of my work on WDIA has been lost to time, I found a few of the old graphics that I made…the one I’m sharing in today’s post is one of my personal favorites, so I’m glad I was able to hold on to it! While I’m not doing WDIA anymore in a certain sense, WDIA is still very much alive and with podcasting now being mixed in with my other efforts, you could say WDIA has evolved! Now that I’ve gotten some of the excitement and enthusiasm out of my system, let’s briefly talk about our limits, which tends to be hindered by our own comfort zones.
We Tend To Be Our Own Worst Critic…
I am always stunned by the things that people can do, but in saying that, I tend to discredit what I am capable of doing…why? I’m sure what I just said sounds familiar to SO MANY PEOPLE. We find it easy to see the good that others are doing, praising their efforts, but can’t see what we do, or if we do, we have a pretty low opinion of it. In one such example for me, I got into fitness and have seen so many powerlifting competitions and felt like I could never do a 300lb deadlift, for example…so for the longest time, I didn’t even remotely consider working towards a 300lb deadlift as a personal goal. I kept things relatively safe, with lots of calisthenics…and there is nothing inherently wrong with that. However, I started pushing myself little by little, making personal records, until I finally started doing weightlifting. Eventually, I not only did a 300lb deadlift, but I am able to do over 400lbs, with no belt or assistance! Granted, doing one rep at 400+ might not be all that amazing to some, but when you consider that I never even thought to get into weightlifting, it is quite the leap and the accomplishment, but I didn’t know the distance, how far I could go, until I got to know the distance, or know that my body and mind are capable of doing more than I realize, provided I at least try.
I have met a lot of artists who are heavily critical of their work, and it is disheartening, because I know of people drawing sock puppets and stick figures (I have nothing against either of those things, just so you know) who have over 100K followers and the like, and someone who is able to make really cute, pastel-colored pieces of art, feels her work isn’t good enough. I get it, as someone who spent probably more years than I’d like to admit feeling like there was no point in trying certain things, but you know what? I have proven myself wrong, time and time again, to the point where now I am telling YOU that everyone has a voice, figuratively speaking…meaning, everyone can do something that appeals to people, something that people see and want to listen to or be a part of. Find your thing or things!