I would never describe myself as a competitive person, at least not in the medal winning kind of way but that doesn't mean I don't set a high bar for myself.
Sometimes, this bar is set so high that failure seems inevitable, and sometimes, it simply stops me from even attempting the jump.
Setting a goal and going for it without anticipating the result is something that I am learning, or really teaching myself to do more often.
Last week, the Womankind Creativity Challenge popped up on my facebook screen. The concept is pretty simple: spend 5 days thinking/making/doing creative things, record it in a diary and submit it. A select few will be published in the next issue of this amazing magazine.
As soon as I saw it, my first thought was, "I should do that!" (Notice 'should' rather than 'can'), closely followed by all the reasons I couldn't: not enough time to be more creative than I already am, not enough time to write about, not very good at writing diaries, my entries would be boring, I would never get selected... But if I was to be selected, I would be so happy about it! But but but...
The inevitable disappointment just about stopped me from taking part.
It's such a shame to think that way and irrational too. I don't know what they are looking for. Maybe what they are after is exactly what I have to offer. Maybe they will find it fascinating to read about someone who, in the midst of raising two little children, works damn hard to carve out some creative time. Maybe a little bit of writing here and knitting there is the creativity they are after. Maybe, making time for oneself in the gaps left by children is challenging and remarkable enough to be written about and read by their audience.
I do not know what they want so I can only offer what I have. And being selected would make me so happy, but also, it wouldn't really matter because I really enjoyed doing it.
It actually wasn't much of a stretch from the writing I do anyway. I just had to do it on all five days rather than every few days. And I enjoyed taking the time to think about where creativity fits into my life, how important it has become to me but that it also makes me feel stressed and under pressure at times.
It also made me realise that I don't have to turn every hobby into a business. I can just enjoy my hobbies as they are, little moments stolen from the day to day. Making things gives me huge satisfaction, that seems like a good start.
It also made me think about the difference between being creative and being productive. While I can not always be as productive as I would like, I am constantly thinking up new ideas, and if that isn't being creative, then I don't know what is.
In the end, my diary entries are what they are. A bit raw, a bit personal, not polished or well put together. They are just thoughts put down on 'paper' but they are important because they are my experience.
The chances of being selected are slim but mine aren't any less than anyone else's. You gotta be in it to win it. This is how I would rather be thinking.
Sometimes, this bar is set so high that failure seems inevitable, and sometimes, it simply stops me from even attempting the jump.
Setting a goal and going for it without anticipating the result is something that I am learning, or really teaching myself to do more often.
Last week, the Womankind Creativity Challenge popped up on my facebook screen. The concept is pretty simple: spend 5 days thinking/making/doing creative things, record it in a diary and submit it. A select few will be published in the next issue of this amazing magazine.
As soon as I saw it, my first thought was, "I should do that!" (Notice 'should' rather than 'can'), closely followed by all the reasons I couldn't: not enough time to be more creative than I already am, not enough time to write about, not very good at writing diaries, my entries would be boring, I would never get selected... But if I was to be selected, I would be so happy about it! But but but...
The inevitable disappointment just about stopped me from taking part.
It's such a shame to think that way and irrational too. I don't know what they are looking for. Maybe what they are after is exactly what I have to offer. Maybe they will find it fascinating to read about someone who, in the midst of raising two little children, works damn hard to carve out some creative time. Maybe a little bit of writing here and knitting there is the creativity they are after. Maybe, making time for oneself in the gaps left by children is challenging and remarkable enough to be written about and read by their audience.
I do not know what they want so I can only offer what I have. And being selected would make me so happy, but also, it wouldn't really matter because I really enjoyed doing it.
It actually wasn't much of a stretch from the writing I do anyway. I just had to do it on all five days rather than every few days. And I enjoyed taking the time to think about where creativity fits into my life, how important it has become to me but that it also makes me feel stressed and under pressure at times.
It also made me realise that I don't have to turn every hobby into a business. I can just enjoy my hobbies as they are, little moments stolen from the day to day. Making things gives me huge satisfaction, that seems like a good start.
It also made me think about the difference between being creative and being productive. While I can not always be as productive as I would like, I am constantly thinking up new ideas, and if that isn't being creative, then I don't know what is.
In the end, my diary entries are what they are. A bit raw, a bit personal, not polished or well put together. They are just thoughts put down on 'paper' but they are important because they are my experience.
The chances of being selected are slim but mine aren't any less than anyone else's. You gotta be in it to win it. This is how I would rather be thinking.
"You can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket" and "Il faut casser des oeufs pour faire une omelette" are sayings that both spring to mind.
ReplyDeleteUnlike many who either thrive or burn on competition against others, there are those of us who simply compete with ourselves, a habit that offers limitless possibilities. This may seem less obnoxious and even healthy but it can also become tiresome.
I'm not suggesting everyone should get a medal for participating or be devastated if one doesn't win but there is no reason not to jump in and give things a good try. That's the way to pick up momentum and to combat doubt.