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5 Things

Rich has assembled a list--5 Things That Hold You Back. I suspect these things might be universal and that fear of failure is our biggest obstacle to success in almost everything we attempt. What do you think?

Comments

Old Knudsen said…
The only thing holding me back is other people, I could rule this planet, I'd make everyday Hump day and it wouldn't be about rubbish.
4:03 AM
dive said…
He's so sweet, isn't he? Though I imagine it would take an awful lot of people with hawswers, nets and harpoons to hold him back …

Good list, Rich.
Holding you back from what, however?

This time of year, I like kicking through piles of leaves and eating baked apples, squash (ick, Robyn) and chestnuts.
Fear of failure doesn't hold me back.

Keep your goals small. You get to grin a lot more that way.
My next goal is catching sight of autumn leaves against a blue sky. I get a lot of grinning done in November …
4:32 AM
Anonymous said…
Old Knudson, I envy your confidence. I'm so grateful to have your wise and insightful influence mixed in with this little bunch of webpals. :)

Dive, when I read Rich's list, I was slightly startled because those are my issues as well. I can't speak for Rich, but by "hold back," I mean keeps you from attempting to reach some of the larger goals. I can kick up leaves with the best of them, but it takes a lot more courage to play in a orchestra with seasoned musicians, and I'm the novice. And I've missed some opportunities because of fear and self-doubt.

I'm working on taking each goal, big or small, one at a time and remembering my successes.
6:51 AM
dive said…
Catch 22 … you can only stop being a novice by actually becoming a seasoned musician … and that takes seasoning, and doing the big things with no safety net.

Remembering successes is great, too. High point of my life? Coming out on stage alone in front of a little over 25,000 people, sticking one foot up on a monitor and gazing out at them; then cranking up my Les Paul and watching 'em go ape …
Believe me, that feels goooood.

And if I can do it, then you certainly can.
The other musicians, no matter how crustily seasoned they may be, all started out as novices. They know just how you feel and will be supportive.

Don't hold back. Fear of failure is merely ignorance of your own abilites. If you were not good enough to be in the orchestra, you would not be in the orchestra. Period.
7:14 AM
Scout said…
Dive, you played in front of 25,000? I'm now experiencing performance envy.

I like to think that I have my seat because I'm good enough, but I sometimes wonder if I'm only there because I'm a volunteer, and our orchestra is short on cash. It was suggested once by a pompous ass in the group.
7:18 AM
dive said…
Pompous asses will always be with us. They serve a useful purpose as being objects of ridicule and - if you're feeling charitable - pity; utterly worthless people who make you feel good about yourself merely by being themselves. Don't let them hurt you because they are SO not worth it.

And ALL orchestras are short of cash.

As for 25,000: you get to play in front of a lot more than that at festivals, but they're not all there specifically to see you. That lot were a bit special and I shall hug them to me on my deathbed.
7:31 AM
Scout said…
You're right about pompous asses all being with us. I'm getting better about not getting too worked up about this particular one, but now and then, the insecurity demon says something stupid, and I start thinking bad things.
10:08 AM
Sassy Sundry said…
Oh, I have a hard time thinking about this kind of stuff. I don't want to do it right now. Maybe later.
10:18 AM
Neponset River Bridge Dig said…
I like what dive said.. "keep your goals small and you will smile a lot more" good one to remember.

I played in front of about 15,000 people when I marched drum corps back in the day.. "dadedadedadaa"
6:07 PM
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