Become the Best Version of You, Not a Faulty Approximation of Someone Else

Published: Wed, 09/12/18

If you are not willing to take actions to change your situation - in other words, if you are willing to put up with your situation - then whether you like it or not, that is the life you have chosen.

— Unf*ck Yourself

My son said something the other day that made me think about how we perceive challenges and so-called failures. We were talking about different options he had open to him when he launched a merchandising line alongside his music. The issue of Facebook came up as a means to improve his brand awareness. Thinking about what he had to do to achieve the results he wanted, my son looked at me and said.
”It’s going to be hard building a following like Stormzy. What if I fail?

You're feelings mean shit. What are you Prepared to do?

My son was afraid of difficulty, believing his musical role model Stormzy had some sort of advantage over him when he started out. My job was to convince him to embrace the challenge and help him with strategy - wish me luck.
I’ve brought this up before but it's such a powerful idea, it's worth repeating.
In difficulty lies the opportunity.
Seek out the discomfort.
Growth is found where there is a challenge and only in an environment where you are pushing yourself that you are made uncomfortable, and that is where the magic happens.
In my writing life, speculative fiction remains a challenge for me, but I decided to tell my stories as difficult as it may be because it sets me apart from the crowd. That is my opportunity.

The other point of concern my son brought up was failure.
I thought of something Dr. Wayne Dyer used to say,
Failure is an illusion. No one ever fails at anything. Everything you do produces a result. The real question is, what do you do with those results you’ve been presented with. You keep modifying your behavior until you get what you want.
Like my son, we are taught to fear failure, not recognize it as a part of the journey. I’m fortunate to have developed Dr. Dyer's outlook on failure. If I create a piece of work that doesn't get the reception I’m anticipating I try not to take it personally but respond to it as feedback. I look at my marketing and my story again, modifying my approach. For me, this is a work in progress, and I’m responsible for making the necessary changes to get the results I require.
To be the best version of you, always be true to yourself. Face up to difficulty and recognize failure as apart of the process. You will stand out because so few will have the courage or patience to do what you have done.

Hope this Helps

Unf*ck Yourself is an excellent read that will help to keep your mind on track and your negative thinking in check. Gary has a truly unique way of looking at the world and his straight-talking, no nonsense approach to living your best life is refreshing. Unf*ck Yourself will set you on the path to results and provide you with the kick up the ass you may need.