Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Write down a major life goal you have yet to achieve or even begin to take action on. For each goal, write down three uncertainties (read: fears) you have relating to each goal. Break it down further, and write down three reasons for each uncertainty. When you have three reasons for your fear, you’ll be able to start processing the change because you know where the fear stems from. Now you’ll be able to make a smaller changes that push you towards your larger goal. So begins the process of “trusting yourself.”
I’ve always wanted to have a novel published. Since I was in primary school, it’s been an ambition of mine. And indeed, I have a trio of finished drafts gathering e-dust on this selfsame computer I’m now typing on.
Why?
- I’m afraid that they need another pass because they’re not good enough.
- I’m afraid of how long that will take.
- I’m afraid of declaring that they’re ready, because that would mean there’d be nothing to do but submit them.
- I’m afraid that I’ll hate them and want to tear them apart or abandon them entirely.
- I’m afraid that even after that they might suck.
- I’m afraid that my friends and beta readers are just being nice to me.
- I’m afraid that I have no talent and I’ve been kidding myself (and everyone else) for all this time.
- I’m afraid that I’m never going to say they’re ready and just keep going round in circles forever.
- I’m afraid that a publisher will reject them.
- I’m afraid that I’ll screw up something basic, like addressing them incorrectly.
- I’m afraid that a rejection from an actual professional will crush me.
- I’m afraid that I’ll be asked to cut things I really love about my books.