All my creator and artist family around the world know where I'm coming from with this. In my early days, I was chewed up and spit out by editors and readers alike. It was uncomfortable and painful at times because no one could see my potential but for me. There were so many times I questioned my belief in myself. I wondered if it was a case of self-delusion.
Â
You know that quote that says, I'm okay, it's the world that's crazy. Well, I began asking myself if that was me. And come to think of it, there may have been some mania tangled up in the guise of dogged determination. I do believe that self-delusion kept me writing and getting better. The resistance I was experiencing didn't matter because I was developing the habit of being uncomfortable.
I wrote through the resistance. The pressure at home, I wrote. Standing in minus one temperatures at work, I wrote. Rejection letters, I wrote. And when it really got uncomfortable, and I couldn't see the reason why I was doing it all, I kept writing.
I was just bloody-minded and would let nothing stop me from living my dream of being a writer. That attitude, while important, did not spare me from the pain. I just chose to reframe this view by telling myself there is no better opportunity to practice mental toughness than during times of hardship.
Looking back at it, I'm proud and thankful that I stuck it out. I could have so easily settled for comfort, but I didn't.
Â
What goals have you been putting off because it made you uncomfortable? Revisit them and instead of giving up, look at the struggle as a necessary training that will make you a better. Just know you're in the minority of courageous people to go on this journey. Big up yuh chest, raise your head high and get training.
Â
"Suffer now, and live the rest of your life as a champion." — Muhammad Ali.
