When Doubt Creeps In

Ask yourself, ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’

‘Don’t think about what you can’t do. Figure out what you can do. Then do it to the best of your ability.’

‘People often ask me how I have the nerve to make cold calls. First, I’m naturally curious, so I genuinely want to learn from other people. Second, people love to be asked about what they do and, generally, are eager to tell their stories.’

‘I was learning. Every day. That is how you stay fresh and motivated. Always be learning. An important lesson, for sure.’

You can do this, I said to myself. You’re smart. You can figure it out. And you can help people by helping them enjoy water.’

I’ve figured out a lot of stuff in my life. I can figure this out. And if it turns out I can’t, at least I can put this idea out there, that you can enjoy things that don’t taste sweet.’

‘… Sometimes, if you think too much about the end, you will never get past the beginning.’

‘It’s okay to admit that you have a problem or that you have no idea what you’re doing.’

‘It’s really important to bring your personal story into the brand identity. People associate the brand with a human being and that person’s story. It adds tremendous meaning and value to them.’

‘You have to have a good sense of your own strongest skills and also be willing to acknowledge where you fall a little short.’

‘Minimize risks. Always.’

Source:

Kara Goldin (2020). Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts + Doubters

Familiarity

Two Brown Trees
Pixel/johannes Plenio

Many people are okay with familiarity. There is less anxiety in familiarity. There is no stress in doing the same thing over and over again. We love what is familiar. We like to go to the same place for a cup of coffee, we like to take the same road to work, we like to talk to the same people at work, and we like to keep our desk clean at work. All of those things are good. We love it. Our brain loves it.

“Nothing is wonderful when you get used to it.”- E. W. Howe

The question is, are you striving for familiarity or striving for growth? If you are striving for growth, it is time for you re-think, reflect, and evaluate your plan. There is no growth in familiarity. There is no growth in sameness, meaning doing the same thing over and over again. If you are comfortable with doing the same thing over and over again, you don’t have to change what you are currently doing. But if you love to grow, to challenge yourself, to take risks, to learn new things, to stretch yourself, it is time to move forward.

Familiarity is good. It allows people to experiment, to explore, to be comfortable, and to be safe. In contrast, familiarity makes people feel too comfortable, too safe, and makes people avoid risks. If you don’t want to stay in familiarity camp, make sure you are doing different things every day. Don’t stick with the same task. Try different things, and it will make your job and your life easier.