“My goals are there for me to take action, and if I can stay somewhat unattached to the outcome I can deal with setbacks with more grace and ease, while inventing a new course of action.” Chris Henry, Fine Art
Last week, our focus was on making mistakes instead of New Year’s Resolutions ( http://susanjamescoach.com/new-years-resolution-hack-a-guide-to-making-them-work-out/ )
I hit a nerve. Readers know that there is more to making a resolution than just making it and hoping that it will work out. In fact, in a study by University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2 out of 3 people make resolutions, but only 8% of the people who make resolutions keep them.
Look at what Chris Henry says: “I like what you said about mistakes, and for me it’s always a question of how long will I let this issue or mistake stop me? As an artist it’s a prerequisite to doing good art. I need to make mistakes and create bad art before I can create good or great art.
“I know from experience that having a support structure: a coach, or a team of people to go to when things get difficult, allows for new ideas or courses of action that I may not see on my own. Thanks again Susan for your words of wisdom! Here’s to an awesome 2014!”
Here are the cogent points.
1. How long will I let this mistake stop me? The best practice is, first of all, to know that you will make mistakes and then set a limit on how long you will beat yourself up for making one. 5 minutes? One day? Your lifetime?
2. Know that making mistakes and correcting them leads to making something great. You might have to “pivot and switch” what you are doing. Really, if it works great by changing aren’t you happier?
3. Have a support structure: a coach, a team of experts, a person who is committed to your success. Trust them; ask them what they would do. Allow them to point out what you haven’t thought of on your own.
4. Try new things, know they might work out, or not. Your intention to succeed is more important than the mistakes you make. Most of our greatest inventions were the result of a mistake. Penicillin was a lab accident. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, said: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
I am looking forward to hearing from you regarding making mistakes and what you have learned!
art courtesy of Chris Henry, Fine Art http://chrishenryfineart.com
Hi Susan,
As one who tends to be a “perfectionist”, this is a great message! There is definitely something to be said about coloring outside of the lines to see what can show up! Those lines aren’t always our friend, as we can’t grow if we continue to always do things the same way. I will certainly take this on to give myself permission to try new things and to have it be okay if some of them fail. I’ll be on my way to discovering something better than what would have been my status quo!
Hi Kimberly,
This is good news! I am looking forward to what happens when YOU color outside the lines….you are quite the artist now. So, outside lines could be perfect too.
Best,
Susan