A few weeks ago I wrote an article inspired in part by a Creative Writing course I was taking, and the not so positive feedback I received on my first homework. Each week we got different assignments on non-fiction and fiction, and we were required to focus on the many aspects of creative writing. I could easily have decided not to come back, but I really wanted to go through it, especially since some of the writing exercises were outside my comfort zone.
The course gave me the opportunity to learn from a great and experienced writer, and she shared different processes, methods, writing styles, and techniques. My teacher and I had some things in common, and I enjoyed her energy, which made it easier to decide to continue taking the course. It did help that I dedicated the time necessary to attend the course and do the homework, and the feedback I was receiving improved each week.
At the end of the last class, she gave us back the last assignment we submitted, and as she handed mine over to me … drum roll… she said “You kicked ass on this one”. It was a fiction piece that I chose to go the fairy tale route, though it was not necessarily the requirement. In her written comments, she started with Yay! Elisa, this is wonderful…, and she included other very kind and encouraging words. She also commented on how it could be improved if I didn’t have the limitations of the assignment’s 600 words limit.
Had I given up after the first few classes, (only half the students who started the course attended the last class), I would never have learned as much as I did, or get such a compliment. I don’t know about you, but it’s not every day that someone says that I “kicked ass” … and I will take it! I’m grateful for her teachings, feedback and constructive criticism.
Would it have been easier to give up and drop out? No doubt. But without being challenged, I wouldn’t have grown: in knowledge, experience, and possibly confidence.
It got me thinking of how many times I stopped pursuing something because I wasn’t great right away, and got stuck, blocked, afraid, or simply chose to give up for whatever reason. Can you relate?
Here are some of the commitments I’m making, based on this experience:
- Investigate – Before making any drastic decisions about letting go of an idea, a passion, a venture, or a course, I will go within, investigate the true reasons why I’m considering giving up, and if they are valid reasons or not.
- Reality Check – When I wrote the other article, I wasn’t sure how people would respond. It was nice to get comments about it on Facebook. The comments weren’t necessarily about my writing skills, but about the message I shared and how it resonated with the readers, which reassured me once again that my writing (at least within my chosen style) is doing just fine.
- Ask for help – When I’m facing blockages now, thanks to feedback I might have received, I choose to ask for someone else’s opinion, or ask for help from someone willing to guide me in finding a way to make it happen.
- Commitment – I’ve been fully committed to my soul’s purpose of inspiring others through my writings, training and coaching for a few years now, although at times, the self-doubt still comes back, and I have to recommit.
- Persistence – Even though I didn’t amaze my teacher through my first few assignments, I kept practicing and practicing and practicing some more. That’s how I got a different response at the end.
How are you putting yourself in uncomfortable situations, so that you can grow and fully embrace your soul’s purpose? Are you fully committed to your soul's purpose, no matter what? And is there any part of you that still feels stuck?
If you feel like you’ve been stuck and you are ready to change, join me, and a great group of women who already signed up, on the free webinar I’m hosting on March 11th. Learn more and register at Beyond Stuck Webinar.
1 Pingback