One of my clients just realized one of his biggest intentions. He has been accepted to show his work in a prestigious art festival. It is a juried show; has hundreds of applicants from across the United States; and fewer than 20% of the applicants are accepted. He sent me an email announcing his win with a cartoon doing a happy dance. Indeed! Time for celebration!
This intention has been on his list of things to be accomplished for several years, but he has never been selected, or judged by this show panel—not because he isn’t a good artist, but because this was the first year he applied for acceptance. You see, he always quit before he tried to enter. He didn’t think he could ever make it in so he just didn’t enter.
So, what are you holding back from doing? What is it that is on your to be accomplished list that has been there forever? What is it that you don’t think you are good enough to accomplish even though you would be thrilled if you did? Why?
I am not being bad with you when I ask the question Why? I would really like to know and I think that your answer to that question does beg to be examined. In fact, usually your first answer to that question is never really the answer. It takes asking that question 5 times, always going deeper with each answer, to really find out what is happening with you that is keeping you from moving forward toward that bright dream you are afraid to reach for. Usually what you find out is that what is holding you back is so small and doable that you will then forge ahead.
Try this Why exercise for yourself, with something that you really want to accomplish, and see what happens. Most likely you will discover that what is holding you back disappears. You might even discover an easy way to win just as my client did.
