I read this yesterday in Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.
We deny that in order to do something well we must first be willing to do it badly. Instead we opt for setting our limits at the point where we feel assured of success. Living within these bounds, we may feel stifled, smothered, despairing, bored. But, yes, we do feel safe. And safety is a very expensive illusion.
Yep.
Not too long ago, I suddenly got tired of being safe and decided I’d rather be scared. It’s been a bit of a ride for me ever since, and I think it’s only going to get crazier (and more fun, and more fulfilling) in the future. But the one thing I’m having to learn is that it’s okay to suck at first. That’s hard. I want that crazy “hat” that Neo wore in the Matrix so I can just download what I need to know and kick ass at whatever I decide to do.
In the absence of the hat, I’m adopting an attitude. Or, for me, it’s less attitude and more sequencing. It goes like this: Say yes first, and then figure out the how part later. It means I’m stumbling more often, making mistakes, looking more dorky than usual (and trust me, that’s not easy to do). But I am also broadening the definition of me. The more I do, the more I want to do. The opportunities seem endless, as long as I’m willing to be (decidedly) less than perfect at the things I try.
In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron asks you to complete this sentence. “If I didn’t have to do it perfectly, I would try… ” So, of course, I made a list! Here it is.
Ten Things I Should Just Go Ahead And Try Already
- Salsa dancing
- Acting
- Writing a mystery
- Belly dancing
- Swimming (for reals, not the thing I do)
- Driving a motorcycle
- Hiking the Grand Canyon
- Going on safari
- Writing a play
- Learning to play the piano
It’s a pretty good list. Just writing them down makes me want to take some action. (After NaNoWriMo.)
So, what’s on your list?





