TUESDAY TIPS: May 27, 2017: “It’s not good enough. I deserve more!”
Now, you know me: I spend my days nagging empowering my clients to demand more from themselves, the world, from Yahweh, from whatever. So, I’d be the last b*tch to ever say, “Shut up, sit down and be happy with what you have!” I’d never say it…except when clients are using “It’s not good enough,” as an excuse to avoid going after what they really want.
For example: years ago, before I became serious about this business, I briefly contemplated punishing myself for my sins returning to network news. I was young and naive, and I kinda sorta suspected that starting a business might not be a nonstop party. (#notetoself) I had a series of interviews with a certain network, and soon enough, they offered me a writing job, from 2:00 AM-7:00 AM. (Sexy!) Now, not only was the money adequate at best, but, years ago, I had already worked the overnights for a different network, and I knew that I wouldn’t last long on that schedule. Being awake at 3am is awesome when you’re having fun…when you’re frantically trying to make deadline, that’s when you become very angry.
But if truth be told, I was worried. The position entailed writing at a much higher level than I had ever done previously, and I wasn’t sure I was up to it. So yes, when I told them that the money wasn’t “good enough, and that I could do better,” I knew, in my heart of hearts, that it wasn’t the money…it was my fear. Now, me personally: I have to be honest with myself, so I can figure out my motivations and learn from them, so I can keep moving forward. But maybe that’s just me.
Thus, when clients tell me that starting at the bottom of an industry they’re excited about isn’t “good enough,” I’m left to wonder. Starting at the bottom, or doing anything new and different can be terrifying. Being forced to leave your happy place, no matter how unhappy it makes you, is scary…but you have to start somewhere. You have to do what you think you cannot, in order to learn that actually, you’re far more talented then you ever thought. Great things don’t just happen, we have to create them.
I’m just saying, next time you’re offered something that both thrills and terrifies you…be honest with yourself. Fear isn’t the worst thing: giving in to fear is much more terrible. And if you give in to your fear, to your feelings that you’re not good enough, you’ll be stuck on the sidelines of your life, watching other people–people just like you!–having the opportunities and experiences that you want. Are those people better than you? Doubtful. They may simply be more driven, less self-aware, or just less willing to give in to those fears. Maybe they have nothing left to lose. Don’t compare yourself anyway, you need all your energies to fight your own demons. Give in to your fear and you’ll just end up more fearful.
If you truly think some opportunity is beneath you, act accordingly. But be honest with yourself: are you really offended…or fearful? Don’t rob yourself of great opportunities just because they may seem overwhelming at first. You’re much tougher than you know.
