I’m not going to lie, I have written this post multiple times, and deleted it just as many times. Why? The thoughts going through my head were “you’re not good enough”, “you don’t have anything good to say”, “you’re not doing enough.” Ironic, that what I was thinking is exactly what I wanted to talk about in this post. Honestly, it is something I am constantly battling as an artist and small business owner.
So let’s talk about it, the feeling of not doing or being enough. Raise your hand if you have ever felt this way: no matter what you do, it’s never enough. Good news for those of you that have or are feeling inadequate, you wouldn’t feel this way if you didn’t care. As Robert Hughes said, “The greater the artist, the greater the doubt. Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.”
If you did not feel you were bound for bigger and greater things, you wouldn’t also feel like you weren’t doing enough to get there. Having feelings of inadequacy creates a hunger and desperate need to do more, to transform your life and business. You grow, you evolve, and you tap into the life you are meant for.
You are probably thinking, “Okay, great. I know I am meant to do big things, but my issue is I feel like I’m not doing enough, or that I am not good enough to reach these goals.” Let’s analyze this thought. Why do you feel like you are falling short? Most of us would say it is because we are comparing our progress to someone else’s. My answer to this is IGNORE WHAT THE WORLD SAYS IS IMPORTANT. Unless you are looking for inspiration or learning, do not look at what everyone else is doing. The only person you should compare yourself to is who you were yesterday. You define success for yourself; your goal should be to beat your
personal best, not the world’s.
I have come a long way and today I am strong enough not to compare myself to others and yet I still feel this inkling of not doing or being enough. It is at moments like these that I have to sit down and be honest with myself. “Am I actually doing everything I can, or am I lying to myself?” Harsh, I know, but sometimes you have to face the music and analyze yourself. Taking these moments to be truly honest can lead to moments of enlightenment; of finding out you’re actually not doing enough. Use this to focus your energy on how you can address and complete the “more” you could or should be doing. Note that doesn’t always take one day or one week. Sometimes it can take a month or two of self- actualization to push yourself out of this mindset. The more honest with yourself, the more you can conquer.
Lastly, when I feel like I am not enough or doing enough, I find that taking a break really helps. Reflecting and slowing down will help you focus on what is really important and will lead to self-discovery. In the words of Pablo Picasso, “Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.” What do I REALLY want out of this? What is my true goal? You can find your answers by constantly wondering and questioning. What mistakes have I made in the past? Don’t dwell on them to regret, but use them to learn and grow. Where did it go wrong and how can I prevent it next time? It takes tremendous courage to grow mentally and
physically. You are alive, passionate, and hungry. You have to trust yourself. It is only then when you can start feeling like you are doing enough, and that you ARE ENOUGH.
~Ann
*Make sure to go look at all her beautiful artwork on Instagram @artby_amb!
Comments