Ten Reasons Why We Fail: #4 Fail to Network

In the profession of illustrating and visual arts there is much alone time which is customarily the way I prefer it. This is not uncommon among most people in a creative field and in fact, I find it difficult to allow others to influence my work as I'm somewhat possessive about it. However, as time passes I realize more and more how counter-productive that habit is. I have single-handily undermined my own success because of my hesitancy to reach out and connect with those who can help. Creating beneficial relationships hinges on the ability to meet others and connect with them in meaningful ways. 

 

Ten Reasons Why We Fail: Reason 2

In continuing my remarks about a recent Mark Manson article I read on ten reasons why we fail, the second reason listed is that we fail because we're not persistent enough. Most of us give up on something way too soon. Not only that, it involves consistent habits and showing up everyday and the failure to do so can involve the dreaded "P" word: procrastination.

In the book The Now Habit by Neil Fiore, he tells the story of one woman's lesson on battling procrastination. Laura was a science teacher working on her masters degree and she was great about starting things but seemed to falter in finishing a project. She was also an avid runner and trained for a marathon but on the day of race she was well prepared except for the last six miles which is known as the wall when the runner's body is screaming for nutrition and demanding rest. It was during this period in the run when she found herself saying something that later helped her get beyond her procrastination and on to finishing her research project. 

"I'm in pain" she said "it hurts to run, it hurts to walk, it hurts to stand here and it would hurt to lie down. Regardless of what I do, it hurts so I might as well finish the race and get it over with as soon as possible."

She realized it takes work to procrastinate and it takes work to face our fear of finishing. There is really no escape from some form of work. Why not choose the work that's going to reap the most benefits?

 

Ten Reasons Why We Fail: Reason 1

Recently, my attention was grabbed by an online article written by Mark Manson on why people fail. There is a constant struggle with many, myself included, surrounding the mystery as to why success seems to be a common characteristic of some while it eludes others. I found Manson's particular take on it interesting. 

One reason may be that people are afraid to stand out from the crowd. We may have a particular talent or level of interest in something that may be different from the commonly accepted dogma but by pursuing and indulging in it, we may disrupt the relationships we have with others or even disturb our own comfort levels. 

It's also possible that these self-conceptions are related to weak boundaries or lack of confidence in one's own ideals or desires.