Wednesday, June 4, 2014

COMPETITION



I tend not to be a very competitive person. For the most part that’s a good thing, but sometimes not so much. I do believe wholeheartedly in competing with myself. The goal should be to be better, not be better than someone else. I’ve always become bored quickly with the “I’m better than you… ’My work is better than yours’ syndrome.

In the on-line writing community there is a spirit of cooperation and help, but sometimes we too, become just a little bit too competitive. I don’t know about the rest of you, but this only heightens my insecurities. Everyone is different. It’s important to develop your own style. Perfect your craft within your boundaries and limitations. ‘To Thine own self be true’.

Lately, my life is in a heap…literally. I’ve just moved and am still in the process of finding everything and finding a place for it all. This tends to promote my insecurities in general. I feel lost and overwhelmed. I know this will pass, I know I’ll get organized, I know I’ll develop a new routine (or at least as much of a routine as I ever confine myself to) but in the meantime, I need to keep reminding myself…



If you want to know more about the Insecure Writers Support Group click HERE and get all the information from the founder and creator Alex J. Cavanaugh. There’s also a list of other participants, where you can find a little more encouragement than I’m able to give this month.

23 comments:

  1. We can only be the best we can be.
    Hope you get everything sorted soon.

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    1. Thanks! It's slow going, but I'm get there. Someday.

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  2. LOVE Love love those quotes! I may steal!

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    1. Go right ahead. I lifted them fron Pintrest.

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  3. Good quotes, especially the first one. Isn't it taught that competition is good for us? That it will help us grow? Good luck with settling back in.

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    1. In my experience, all that is taught is not necessarily right. Growth can and should come in a variety of ways.

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  4. Personally, lately I've been just wanting to sleep a lot. Life is good, but sometimes I have to work at convincing myself that this is so.

    And I've stopped writing of late except for my blogging activity. Not good. Looks like in the race I'm running against myself, I'm just languishing under the shade of a big old tree on a quiet lazy day.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Right about now that big ole tree and lazy day sound pretty good.

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  5. It sure seems like everybody I follow is either moving, undergoing a child in the terrible twos, or getting diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Writing under stress pro'lly isn't good for you or the story; take your time and get your feet underneath you.

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    1. Ha! Normally I would say ' two outta three ain't bad', but in this case I guess I should at least be grateful I'm not chasing a toddler around.

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  6. Yes, I know all about overwhelmed. Like Arlee, I find myself just wanting to go to bed. A lot. The migraine seems to offer its own incentive there, too.

    Have you read John Green's book The Fault In Our Stars? Well, it is wonderful. It will make you laugh and cry. Laugh at the beginning. Cry at the end. But you just know that will happen. It is about this girl with terminal cancer. Of course you are going to cry... He is very astute about these Cancer Kids. Green writes something like this (paraphrasing on my part) that when you get diagnosed you get a percentage of beating the cancer. Let's say you only have a 20% shot. Well, that means one in five makes it. The other four die. Invariably you find yourself in support group looking around at the other kids with cancer and think to yourself I have to outlast four of these other bastards.

    On the one hand, that is a pretty harsh way of looking at it. On the other hand, that is EXACTLY how our brains work. Doctors throw stats and you can't help but do the math. I suppose it's why I don't want to know the stats on who gets published and who doesn't. Who will be successful even if they are published and who won't. Stats don't help me. The race is with myself. In pursuing this writing thing what matters is making my work better every day. I don't want to know how many unlucky writers there are if I make it. Or vice versa.

    I hope you feel better soon and find a routine that works for you. I know I still have to vote in your BOTB. Time has not been on my side these last few days. ::struggling::

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    1. I read TFIOS when it was first released. You're right about Green really having a handle on the cancer patient. Unfortunately, I know this for a fact. See, I'm the luck B who outlasted the other 4. It may seem harsh, but when you're walking in those shoes, you take what you can get.

      The stats are unimportant. It's your will to live, your will to beat the odds that really counts. It's certainly not a matter of life and death when it comes to writing, but once again 'attitude is everything'. I've come to the conclusion that if you finish your story and you're satisfied with it, that's a success of sorts. Of course, we all want to be published, but there is something to be said for that sense of accomplishment. It's important to not let the world judge you, and more important to not judge yourself by the world's standards.

      Thanks for your comment. It made me think and now after my reply, I actually feel better. Still overwhelmed, still insecure, but better. Some days that's the best we can ask for.

      I'm sorry that you're struggling. Try to keep in mind that there are some things that are simply out of our reach to fix. People have to want to fix themselves. Rehab or therapy of any sort, only works on those who enter willingly and honestly, Here's hoping for the best in your future.

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  7. I get that overwhelmed feeling, when life falls apart or closes in on you. One day, one step at time is the best anyone can do. Wishing the best, and hoping it all straightens itself out soon.

    Juneta at Writer's Gambit

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    1. Thanks Juneta, one step at a time is some of the best advice.

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  8. Can only do what we can do, perfect will never come due indeed. Competitive? The cat? Nah, just Pat lol

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    1. Ah, Pat competitive - I don't believe it, a nice, sweet guy like that?

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  9. A little competition keeps things healthy.

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  10. It sounds likes many of us are experiencing something I call "walking in mud". Hope we all can get our game back.

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    1. Wow Susan! That is a good way to describe it. It's exactly what it feels like. Maybe it's just the end of spring, I can't wait for summer to begin, doldrums.

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  11. I hate one upmanship. You see it all the time. While I can be competitive when playing certain sports or games--hey, I like to win--I've never had that killer instinct that professionals have to wipe the floor with your opponent regardless of the game.

    However, I do compete with myself all the time. If I'm good with ___ then can I be better? I challenge myself all the time. I think that's good for you especially with a solitary endeavor like writing. Just you and the paper or screen. :-)

    Moving is tough on a lot of fronts, especially if it's move from one geographic area to another. We build in routines that fit where we live and the seasons. You kinda feel lost for awhile when you relocate. You'll get the comfortable groove back.

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  12. NAILED IT! That is exactly why I come to this blog hop. It's good for the soul. :-)

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

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  13. "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."

    So true.

    I don't like competition, either. It makes me feel nervous and insecure. Competing with yourself seems much healthier and productive.

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