I got a bad review. I got a good review.
I'll never finish my book. I published my book today.
No one will read it. I got fan mail in my inbox.
I'm not the next Stephanie Meyer. There's only one Stephanie Meyer; there's only one me.
I don't understand self-publishing. I got a book loaded on Kindle Direct Publishing in only three hours.
Success will never find me. I am successful.
I am a writer. I am an author.
I'm boring. I'm fun.
Readers hate me. Readers love me.
I'm too old. Every passing second is another opportunity to turn it all around.
If you come away from this post with only one thing it should be this:
Insecure people have to make excuses and put others down to feel confident. Confidence isn't walking into a room with your nose in the air and thinking you are better than everyone else. It's walking into a room and not having to compare yourself to anyone in the first place.
Have a great Wednesday and...
Go
HERE to sign up for the Insecure Writers Support Group.
Now those are wise words! If we have to put others down or think we are all that, then we are a mess.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back!
Very inspirational Mr. Offutt!
ReplyDeleteI don't know, there's a point where you really can't put your head in the sand anymore about some of that stuff.
ReplyDeleteSince you like talking about money, I saw on the news this morning where Tesla's stock jumped $20 because the German government certified their cars won't explode or something. That company seems really overvalued since I can't see many people having $200,000 for an electric car.
This is truly inspirational. Our elders told us that we are made by same creator as every one else therefore we are no less or more than any one else. Hence a confident person and not a bully.
ReplyDeleteWise words, not comparing yourself to others is a great way to avoid insecurity.
ReplyDeleteLove this! And it's so true. For every insecurity, there is the opposite. It all balances out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of wisdom. Someone once said, and I agree with them, that---You might as well be yourself because everyone else is taken.
ReplyDelete@P.T.: Yeah you have to be realistic about some things. However, there are all kinds of ways to frame a situation.
ReplyDeleteRe: $TSLA. Goldman Sachs put a price target on it of $120 some time ago when it was soaring to $194. They did get their way, and I'm sure investors piled in at that point. I don't know how they got the stock to drop some $70.00 but I do think that it is manipulated.
For the average investor, I recommend staying clear of TSLA because its P/E valuations are still in the neighborhood of 250/1. If you still want to buy it though, the best way is to get a mutual fund that features TSLA (like the one I have). That way when it soars you make a little money and when it tanks you don't have much risk.
The problem with sky-high valuations like TSLA is that they are priced to perfection. When there's a "bump" the stock gets dumped in droves.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing me in a positive direction!
Well Said!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael. I'm going to try and remember this the rest of the week. I'm me and I don't have to compare myself to anyone else.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy December!
This was so perfect. I tried for years to convince my students of exactly what you said.
ReplyDeleteExcellent. And Happy December, Michael.
ReplyDeleteGreat words,. Way to stay positive and brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI love your post today. You say just the right thing.
ReplyDeleteThe hard part is getting to the point where you don't automatically compare yourself to others and find yourself lacking. I think this is a real problem for new writers. But...after we stay with the craft for awhile, and earn some of our own accolades, it is easier to relax a little. If we're working hard and continuing to improve, we should feel good about ourselves! Hell yeah!
ReplyDelete--December IWSG co-host
There is no comparison.
ReplyDeleteAnd about Tesla:
The stock fell because one (or more?) of the cars caught on fire due to a wiring issue or something. It was a fluke, but the media really blew it up to make it sound as if all of the cars were in danger of exploding.
@Andrew: Yeah I know about the fires. Thing is, every year there are car fires. The reason $TSLA garnered so much attention is the stock is priced for absolute perfection. One small hiccup can send it crashing. A recent Wall Street analyst indicated that at the former values of $194 per share, each car that rolls out on the highway is valued at a million dollars.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so true! The people in your life that try to knock you down and dissuade you from writing are covering their own insecurities. Excellent sets of strikethoughs, Michael!
ReplyDeleteAnd I answered your question about my nom de plume as best I could over on my site. ;) Seriously.
Dude. Great post. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's snowing heavily here today. Hello December
'tis true, all of the greatest people in history were very special :)
ReplyDeleteVery profound Obi Wan Offutt. I think that last paragraph earns you a promotion to Jedi Master. :)
ReplyDeleteWow. Your post today was... really good. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad you're not Stephanie Meyer. Your books I read and enjoy, hers I've tried to start and can't get past the first pages. I just can't handle mopey teenagers and glittering, stalking vamps.
ReplyDeleteI love what you say about confidence -- how we don't need to compare yourself to anyone. So true.
That quote just made my day, and so very true. I'll have to remember that one. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it. Well said, Michael. :-)
ReplyDeleteGosh. Short blog and very worthwhile. I enjoy my ability to not be jealous of others, not compare myself to others... And yet I still beat myself up at times.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your wise words.
David - Regarding Silexare
Ah, so true. Especially about not comparing yourself to anyone else. We are all unique and valuable just as we are.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way of putting things in perspective. I come away from this feeling better about myself and what I can accomplish. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of insecurity can be sorted through hard work and perseverance. If you can see the improvement in your work you don't need others to validate it for you.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
Profound stuff indeed. It's tough for me because I've grown up being compared to others. As an athlete, I had to worry about rankings and tournaments.
ReplyDeleteAnd now as an adult, I have sales goals and numbers...and RANKINGS.
Writers also stress about sales and rankings. CAN'T ESCAPE!!!
For me, it's about just letting go and allowing the chips to fall where they may.
Awesome list. Wish I had one like it. Maybe one day I can start crossing stuff out....(:
ReplyDeleteAw. I totally need this. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, and much needed. I love IWSG :) Thanks for bolstering my waning confidence today.
ReplyDeleteI don't do this with a lot of posts, but I'm putting this post in my Inspiring folder. Gosh, I love this.
ReplyDelete