I heard this phrase a lot this week followed by: … wake up at 6am every day to go to yoga. … quit smoking …
I heard this phrase a lot this week followed by:
… wake up at 6am every day to go to yoga.
… quit smoking cold turkey.
… live abroad alone.
… start a company with my partner.
… come out to my conservative parents.
And I waited to hear the rest of the sentence, which ended with:
… but then I did it!
It brought a smile to my face, and I thought it’s natural to underestimate yourself.
Especially if you’re surrounded by messages touting how easy or simple it is for others to do these things.
Or if you only hear from those who skip through their own struggle, and just showcase the positive end result.
Maybe they didn’t have a struggle. Maybe they had a head start.
But some of us start with nothing.
Some of us have to try. Make lots of mistakes. Then fail. Sometimes miserably. Then pick ourselves back up.
Doesn’t mean our approach is wrong?
No.
It just means we aren’t effortlessly perfect.
Effortless perfection makes you question your abilities, your approach, and ultimately underestimate yourself.
But life is all about surprising yourself.
So do the hardest thing, instead of holding yourself back or underestimating what you’re capable of based on what others say, do, or think.
