Just Start It

With all the summer projects I have going and the new things I'm starting It can be a bit overwhelming if I let it. We're all aware of the Nike axiom "Just Do It" but for me there is a more fitting adage that best addresses my persona which is "just START it". It's no secret that when facing a sizable enterprise most people tend to have difficulty getting started upon considering its complexity; to just do it is an understatement. Just starting it is the best first step then the necessary subsequent tasks will likely become noticeable and in perusing them my skills will improve.

Intruder Alert

If you have ever heard of the imposter syndrome then you know it's a an overwhelming feeling of doubt people sometimes have about the validity of their accomplishments including feelings of being a fraud and it's only a matter of time before being exposed as such. Some of the most famous and successful people known have at one time or another suffered from this.

Personally, I feel I suffer with the imposter syndrome many times and even though I'm often told how talented I am, I give a courteous "thank you" while underneath I think they are only being nice. The fact of the matter is the complimenters are sincere and the root of my negative thoughts come from my feelings of inferiority when I compare myself with the talents of others; common among artists. The best resolution for this (and anything else for that matter) it to accept my work as others do and continue to improve.

Learned Helplessness

There are several clinical definitions of what learned helplessness is but Arnold Schwarzenegger said it best:

"Learned helplessness is the giving-up reaction, the quitting response that follows from the belief that whatever you do doesn't matter."

It was developed in the 1960's by psychologist Martin Seligman and explains how someone's belief system is based on environment or experience, whether negative or positive. He also says a belief system of learned helplessness can be changed and has explained how in his book Learned Optimism. 

A person whose belief system stems from a condition of learned helplessness is often guilty of self sabotage because he/she doesn't believe anything he/she does will make a difference and they are doomed to failure no matter what.