And then try some more. Social media will give you the impression that people are “killing it”, and getting it right every single time and in all that that they do. I’m here to mash down that image of perfection for you; it doesn’t exist. Even if people choose not to share their challenges, they are real and chances are, those wins that you see were preceded by lots of nos, anxiety, and self doubt.
We are always more inclined to share our wins publicly. It’s what we do, and that’s true for individuals, companies, families etc. We even feel pressured sometimes to find and share wins; some even share wins that don’t exist to fit in or match up.
You’re great not because you thrive, you’re great because you try. You’re great because you keep on trying, because if you keep on trying, your “wins” may come. Don’t be fooled by my social media or others, for every success posted, for every win, there are many NOs, many “failed” attempts, many stressful days, weeks and months. Both personally and professionally.
Life is chaotic, and the path to personal and professional achievement and success is never linear, and even then, success is not sure. It’s not guaranteed. Your dreams, hopes and aspirations are not your birth right. Your ideas will be rejected, your project(s) will not work, people will betray you, you may even betray others. You will be let down. You will feel disappointed. Make peace with all of that, embrace that, accept it, own it. Why? Because it’s all a part of the process, it’s guaranteed.
So, the next time you see somebody killing it on social media, instead of falling into the trap of believing that that’s all they do, or even worse, feel jealous or compare, and as a consequence, feel inadequate. I want you to try, and then try some more, because while your dreams may not always come true, you’ll feel far more fulfilled and you’ll learn way more by trying.
“Only great pain is the ultimate liberator of the spirit….I doubt that such pain makes us ‘better’; but I know that it makes us more profound.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Amor fati.
Originally published on gordonswaby.com on 2018-06-15 (recovered from the Internet Archive).