015: Do the thing already
If you’re waiting for permission, then you’re going to wait for a very long time because no one is going to give it to you - apart from yourself. And if you’re waiting for someone else to push you - this might just be the episode you need!
Episode transcript:
Good morning, Daily Peppers, and welcome to the Daily Pep, the only daily podcast for creative and multi passionate women. So I want to start today's episode with a question. What would it take for you to take the next step? What would it take for you to do the thing? Now, I was going to go through a list of examples, but I didn't because I'm pretty sure that exactly when I asked you the question, something immediately came to your mind. But there's a massive distance between thinking of doing the thing and doing the thing. Because if you go by what your mind thinks, you would never be ready. There is always more research you can do, there's always something you can tidy up and there's always things that can be shifted about. You tell yourself, I only need to get to this place and then you get to the next place and there'll be just one tiny bit more you need to change. And then when you get there, it'll just be one more thing and on and on and on.
And I can almost hear you agreeing because we have all been there. It's like a self fulfilling prophecy and a really fucking frustrating one at that. I've definitely been there myself many times, ready to launch something or just about to put something into the world and I spot this one thing that has to be done now, like my life depends on it and the cycle starts again. Often, as I know only too well, the longer you leave it, the more so called faults you find. Because perfectionism loves nothing more than it loves a challenge and getting you back in the comfort zone where you're safe, where it can call the shots and where it might be able to even take a night off once in a while and cue the eye rolls. I know if you stay in that place of creative limbo, it is never going to happen. You won't even get the chance to know whether you would have succeeded or failed because it will never even get to that stage. And I know there is something comforting in that.
While we don't know we're safe and we don't have to face the scariness, but at some point you have to take the leap. You need to recognise some of the things you've been holding up as what they are. Excuses. As women, we're socialized to doubt ourselves. We always talk ourselves down and it's almost become this talent that we're super skilled at and frankly, we should all just get a medal for. But whether your perfectionism tells you that they're valid reasons or your brain tells you to check one more time. I think we just need to see these things for what they are. And that is, again, excuses.
I don't know about you, but perfection is not the hill I want to die on. So what are you really waiting for? And will that thing you're waiting for even happening? If you're waiting for it to feel less scary, it just isn't going to happen. If anything, the fear will just get bigger and more paralyzing. If you're waiting to feel more confident, the irony is that if you just did the thing already, it will build your confidence more than anything. And if you're waiting for permission, then you're going to wait for a very long time because no one is going to give it to you apart from yourself. And if you're waiting for someone else to push you, well, you happen to be listening to this episode. I'm not saying go and leap today, but I bet there's one thing you can do that yes, might feel seriously scary, but moves you that much closer. Maybe you do need to dip your toes in and test the water.
Do that by all means, but don't give yourself the option to get back on the sand because the water was too cold. Remember, you have done many hard things. The fact that you have survived this far and are listening to this podcast are proof of that. So it's not that you can't do it. It's just nice being on the beach, feeling the warm sand beneath your feet. And it's pretty damn comfortable to just stay there. So get your toes wet and commit to going a certain distance. That mountain you've been staring at from the shore? Well, there's a good chance that once you get a bit closer, it might just be a hill and it might be way more manageable than you ever thought.
So stop waiting. And I say this with so much compassion. Stop holding on to what you've been calling valid reasons. Do something. Make a commitment and see what happens. Have a fabulous day, Daily Peppers. And remember, building a life you love takes a shitload of courage, but you don't have to do it alone. See you tomorrow.
Episode transcript automatically produced by Castmagic.io
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A short, snappy and sassy daily podcast to keep your internal - and external - dreamshitters at bay!
A short, snappy and sassy daily podcast to keep your internal - and external - dreamshitters at bay!
The Daily Pep! is the rebel-rousing, daily podcast for couragemakers, creative, multi-passionate and unconventional women. If you’re surrounded by people who don’t get who you are or what you do, if you want reminders you’re on the right path (no matter how scary it feels), or you’re sick of being your very own worst enemy, this is the podcast for you. Every weekday, your host - writer, coach and professional rebel-rouser - Meg Kissack helps you build a creative and wholehearted life, one day at a time. Through short and snappy insights, reminders and stories, The Daily Pep! is here to remind you you’re not alone, and that everything changes when you believe you matter. Each episode is short and snappy, designed to fit in with (or help you start) your habits and routines.
