tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post8280409710883687893..comments2024-03-22T12:11:58.453-06:00Comments on Michael Offutt: My Third Insecure PostMichael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-86239763575443278102011-11-03T18:39:17.788-06:002011-11-03T18:39:17.788-06:00Someone once said to me, "We look at what oth...Someone once said to me, "We look at what other people have (money, book deals, etc.) and compare ourselves downward (why can't I have what he has? like you said) but in our behavior we look at others and then compare ourselves upward" ("if only you would think this then you'd be a better person (like me)" or "if you'd just stop being so... (fill in the blank: irrational, picky, disorganized) you'd be a better person (like me). No one is as good as we are when we compare how we react or behave and we never have enough when we compare what we have to what others have. It's a terrible irony. And it's terribly human. All this comparing- how do we get anything done?Danettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15043881305977386629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-53445140589465387372011-11-02T21:29:39.599-06:002011-11-02T21:29:39.599-06:00We should only compare ourselves, to ourselves. We...We should only compare ourselves, to ourselves. We will be happy at our progress. There's no need for jealousy.<br /><br />I let you an award: http://brookerbusse.blogspot.com/2011/11/like-polar-express-but-better.html :DBrooke R. Bussehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17147444223968856153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-74346363479116933272011-11-02T16:29:07.299-06:002011-11-02T16:29:07.299-06:00That is so true. We always long for what we lack a...That is so true. We always long for what we lack and although I try to change that, it's so difficult. I'm glad I'm not the only one going through it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-61616094733499084702011-11-02T15:55:48.806-06:002011-11-02T15:55:48.806-06:00This is a tricky one. I think I could write a blog...This is a tricky one. I think I could write a blog post of my own all about it.<br /><br />I guess the trick is to focus on gratitude for what you (I) do have. If you spend your time comparing yourself to others, you end up focusing on the lack rather than noticing what you do have...<br /><br />My brain isn't working real well today. I can't think.Liz A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16531953467834426316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-43735650914189056842011-11-02T14:47:38.533-06:002011-11-02T14:47:38.533-06:00You and I were on the same wavelength today!
A qua...You and I were on the same wavelength today!<br />A quarter of your life? Please. Double that and you'll know what I'm soon to experience. <br />And get excited about your small publisher. We're in the right place, man!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-76701011603547768392011-11-02T14:38:06.225-06:002011-11-02T14:38:06.225-06:00As a self-pubber, I don't have much, but I'...As a self-pubber, I don't have much, but I'm free, oh yes, I'm free. Sing it!Tamarahttp://tamarapaulin.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-85443231803726607152011-11-02T14:24:55.731-06:002011-11-02T14:24:55.731-06:00Well said, Michael. It's nice to know I'm ...Well said, Michael. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my writing insecurities.Ciarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15628488753277495111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-46697714927285955292011-11-02T14:15:41.213-06:002011-11-02T14:15:41.213-06:00Interesting post,makes me glad to be such an orner...Interesting post,makes me glad to be such an ornery loner. Thanks for the reminder.farawayeyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17578277501054242356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-49540189100663283722011-11-02T13:39:49.746-06:002011-11-02T13:39:49.746-06:00That is human nature. We are always looking at our...That is human nature. We are always looking at our own short comings. Some people do great by analysing themselves and exploring their potentials. I guess it can be good and bad depending on our situations and limits. Again Congrats and best wishes:)MunirGhiasuddinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05232362559666320301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-54512520138500939832011-11-02T12:18:14.618-06:002011-11-02T12:18:14.618-06:00Excellent post except finishing a manuscript is so...Excellent post except finishing a manuscript is something that money cannot buy. I'm sure you appreciate everything Michael, but you want to be acknowledged for all your creativity. I hope it all works out. Intangible Heartshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05047040538015079182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-45781907982653867022011-11-02T12:12:19.851-06:002011-11-02T12:12:19.851-06:00I used to do this because I have a "samll&quo...I used to do this because I have a "samll", not dangerous :) mental illness. I was filled with envy of people who could keep a job etc. I now look back on my life and see that staying home raising my kids and helping raise my grandkids was the best thing I could do for them and for me. I wasted a lot of time felling less than.Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175778756449339363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-64739176724374605482011-11-02T12:06:59.773-06:002011-11-02T12:06:59.773-06:00Yes, really, I do have to give the smart-grass ans...Yes, really, I do have to give the smart-grass answer.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-62485529298210980072011-11-02T12:06:35.512-06:002011-11-02T12:06:35.512-06:00And knowing...
is half the battle.
What's thi...And knowing...<br />is half the battle.<br /><br />What's this grass stuff, anyway? Can you eat it?Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-53429195430383965772011-11-02T10:52:13.753-06:002011-11-02T10:52:13.753-06:00Ahh..that's the list I remember.Ahh..that's the list I remember.Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07922596724107742478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-81033388701185762292011-11-02T10:29:17.066-06:002011-11-02T10:29:17.066-06:00Yes, it must start with awareness.
HOW TO FEEL M...Yes, it must start with awareness. <br /><br />HOW TO FEEL MISERABLE AS AN ARTIST:<br /><br />1. Constantly compare yourself to others.<br /><br />2. Talk to your family about what you do and expect them to cheer you on.<br /><br />3. Base the success of your entire career on one product.<br /><br />4. Stick with what you know.<br /><br />5. Undervalue your expertise.<br /><br />6. Let money dictate what you do.<br /><br />7. Bow to societal pressures.<br /><br />8. Only do work that your family would love.<br /><br />9. Do whatever the client/customer/gallery owner/patron/publisher asks<br /><br />10. Set unachievable/overwhelming goals. To be accomplished by tomorrow.<br /><br />I'm still working on this list. Bowing to societal pressures seems to be my worst one at the moment.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-12420876226372334212011-11-02T09:59:24.083-06:002011-11-02T09:59:24.083-06:00So true, Michael. You are not alone in this, my fr...So true, Michael. You are not alone in this, my friend. :D<br /><br />I try to make a conscious effort to appreciate what I have and not dwell on what I don't, be it material things or my the level I'm at with writing, but it isn't easy. <br /><br />Why do we focus on the smaller # of negatives regardless of of all the positives around us?CherylAnne Hamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02324135447961686703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-14765279057353480782011-11-02T09:52:22.630-06:002011-11-02T09:52:22.630-06:00such a truth!
my kids hav that bad!! i hate xmas t...such a truth!<br />my kids hav that bad!! i hate xmas time, they are so spoiled! we really need to do a shelter down town this year.<br /><br />but this is one problem i dont generally have, thank goodness. i've got enough other things to worry about. as long as the fam is good, i'm happy. publish or no (just a paperback would be awesome!)Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-1777539978923974002011-11-02T09:23:24.305-06:002011-11-02T09:23:24.305-06:00The grass is greener on the other side effect is w...The grass is greener on the other side effect is why that pesky commandment tells us not to covet. This is the hardest for most, even writers. : )Emily R. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892444969625637064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-49224666253417419012011-11-02T08:44:00.346-06:002011-11-02T08:44:00.346-06:00So true. I try my best to keep my eyes on my own w...So true. I try my best to keep my eyes on my own writing road. Heaven knows it's full of bumps and ditches. ;-)Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-75382387413257059032011-11-02T08:37:59.566-06:002011-11-02T08:37:59.566-06:00LOVE this. You got me thinking this morning. Wha...LOVE this. You got me thinking this morning. What you said is so true. :)LynnRushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07019358342291623619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-14967606059345415912011-11-02T08:34:01.159-06:002011-11-02T08:34:01.159-06:00If I were the religious type I may quote something...If I were the religious type I may quote something about coveting...nah.<br /><br />I think it is normal to envy someone's success, so long as you're not obsessing. Who doesn't want to gain the success as Meyers or Rowling or the notoriety of King? That's one of the reasons we take the leap into publishing.<br /><br />Jealousy can be helpful if you use it in a constructive way!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-4780016805992803372011-11-02T08:12:29.818-06:002011-11-02T08:12:29.818-06:00I once saw a list of ways a writer can make themse...I once saw a list of ways a writer can make themselves miserable. Comparing themselves to other writers was at the top. <br /><br />But, I think jealously can be good too. It lets you know what you should be doing.Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07922596724107742478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-3251298172714805882011-11-02T08:11:08.138-06:002011-11-02T08:11:08.138-06:00I'm guilty of that too. Lately, though, I'...I'm guilty of that too. Lately, though, I've started to let go of some of that ambition and begin to feel better about just being me and enjoying the journey I'm on. <br /><br />Wow, deep, huh? Jealous? :)Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-85508090819502039282011-11-02T08:10:33.522-06:002011-11-02T08:10:33.522-06:00Good post Michael.
Seeing the success of others, ...Good post Michael.<br /><br />Seeing the success of others, and then translating their experiences to where you use your own talents to achieve is rewarding but a work in progress for me.Slamdunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087161268629251860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2495499100279472520.post-27380574717651385882011-11-02T07:13:42.063-06:002011-11-02T07:13:42.063-06:00I'm only ever jealous of what you have, Michae...I'm only ever jealous of what you have, Michael.:)Brent Wescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08313269993916969201noreply@blogger.com