Cape D'or Sunrise, Advocate Harbour, Nova ScotiaThe relationship between commitment and doubt is by no means an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest when it is not without doubt but in spite of doubt.
Rollo May
Are we not more fired up to tackle new learning when a streak of will is lit inside? Often the streak is lit simply by the self-determination of overcoming that perceived big bully named doubt. It can provide focus.............a sighted goal...........commitment reinforced. It generates the self-talk which in turn activates the courage to let go of certainties. It allows curiosity feed our learning.
"I'll show you doubt! I'm commited NOW!"
Tell me I can't do something, then get out of the way.
However, there is a tipping point, different for each and every one of us, when doubt can start nibbling at our confidence. Like everything in life it seems, one has to have just the right mixture to be spurred on. Too many knockdowns.............too many times trying and not succeeding and doubt begins to win. Self-talk inflamed by self-doubt makes one grasp for the certainty of solid ground........
How does one find the teaspoon of doubt to light our will? It is found every early morning lifting over the horizon, in a brand new day of hope.
"I'll show you doubt! I'm commited NOW!"
Tell me I can't do something, then get out of the way.
However, there is a tipping point, different for each and every one of us, when doubt can start nibbling at our confidence. Like everything in life it seems, one has to have just the right mixture to be spurred on. Too many knockdowns.............too many times trying and not succeeding and doubt begins to win. Self-talk inflamed by self-doubt makes one grasp for the certainty of solid ground........
How does one find the teaspoon of doubt to light our will? It is found every early morning lifting over the horizon, in a brand new day of hope.
7 comments:
I get that. When I started on this path to finally get my BA, there was always this nagging, lingering question - the seeds of doubt that have dogged me my entire life. Yet, knowing that I am capable is only half the battle. Capability without action is nothing more than potential.
My "motivational" doubt now lies elsewhere. It is not whether or not I'll graduate - I will. Precious little can stop me now. The doubt, however still lingers in that latent fear that I am still not good enough. Infinitesimal though it may be, fear manifested in doubt still has a motivational quality. It is an internal battle to be sure, but it's one that I have been winning - at least in matters scholastic - so far.
There is a difference between healthy fear and paralyzing fear. I know the latter well. Healthy fear can be utilized in a number of ways. Defiant doggedness is but one of them. I won't tolerate anyone telling me I can't do something - the difference today is that I now include myself in "anyone."
Although I have not yet applied this outlook in all areas of my life, it is creeping in slowly all the same. Besides my success in school, the latest evidence can be characterized by more than nine months free from nicotine enslavement. I "kicked the habbit" quite literally!
Mike
I agree with Mr. althouse wholeheartedly. I was and am always afraid that I am not good enough. Those around me always appear to be smarter, more confident, etc. In school I thought that while doing the last 2 years of my BA. It wasn't until years later when I was applying for a government job that I really felt that I had something upstairs. I didn't get the job but what I did get was the knowledge that a bursary award I received upon graduation was such an honour. My professors nominated me for the award and I had the highest mark in at least 2 uplevel Canadian Literature courses. Me! I was smarter than all of those know-it-all snot nosed intellectuals who were about 10 years my junior in at least 2 classes!
Now if only I could do something about motivation in the physical health department.....
Beautiful, optimistic words! The hardest commitment is sometimes the one we make to ourselves.
Mike! I'm so IMPRESSED! Well done on the smoking thing......I have to do same........
Most of the work I do is to try to set fires under people....to help them see that doubt is enabling....but often they have lived in the paralyzing fear milieu for a long time......baby steps are needed.
Personally, I have found that the toughest thing I was dealing with last fall during the craziness at work was that I was second guessing myself all the time. It burnt me out..........am just getting over it in time to head back into work next week.........I don't like the doubting feelings......AT ALL....when they get too big and I will do my best to channel it better......... what gives me confidence is the knowledge that I have overcome it many times before.
Now, if I could just stop smoking.....
Sunny......... I can relate. There was a time when the very idea of enrolling in a PhD program seemed completely out of my limits....it wasn't in my sphere of thinking...most of that negative self-talk came from messing up big time in high school......once I was in the workforce, I realized that it is an option I could very well access......... that knowledge is very motivating...........
Physical health? Yeah, me too. Care to arrange noon hour power walks???
Hi Tara.........personal commitments are the most challenging. The most successful and satisfying one I have made in a long time is making writing part of my daily routine. It is as important to me as breakfast!!
Hi Dana,
I just thought I'd pop over and tell you that the "meet'n'greet" comment game is on again over at michele agnew's blog. I noticed you discovered this blog recently. I've made a number of new friends over there, gained a few new readers (and links) and discovered some wonderful blogs. It's a lot of fun too.
Mike
Hi! Popped over from Micheles :)
Well thought of and well written and I totally agree with you.
Nice..
This one gave me a lift A.
Thanks
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