Glimpse of Success
Tuesday, February 24, 1998
I caught a glimpse today of future carving success. I got the sense that I will receive recognition and remuneration sufficient to support my family.
The hand I drew today on the tusk was a little breakthrough, bringing the 'Millennium Tusk' a tiny bit nearer to completion.
The hand I drew today on the tusk was a little breakthrough, bringing the 'Millennium Tusk' a tiny bit nearer to completion.
Limiting Beliefs
Monday, July 29, 1996
I did a little work yesterday, and watched a lot of TV. The infomercials generally don’t catch my eye, but I watched Anthony Robbins’ half hour blurb. He sees hope based on passion, loosely defined. I am a little skeptical about the cult mentality that seeks out gurus who have 'the answers', though Robins does say some good things.
Robbins differentiates between motivation and passion: motivation fades but passion lasts.
He also refers to the power of limiting beliefs, explaining that we grow to the limits of our imagination and are limited in our growth by our limiting beliefs.
While swimming laps in the pool this morning, I thought about his words and wondered about my own passions and limiting beliefs. My passion is art, sculpture; my limiting beliefs are a little less clear.
I think one limiting belief is that I do not deserve to be successful, that I do not think I can be successful now or ever. I postpone my success to some future date so as not to be disappointed.
Another limiting belief may be that I shouldn’t plan for the future, as it either implies some kind of lack of trust in the present or more probably an unwillingness on my part to exclude any possibilities that might arise.
A limiting belief that I heard growing up “if you could make money at that, someone would have already thought about it, and would be doing it.”
A limiting belief from the Bible might be "there is nothing is new under the sun” - a real killer for creative types. But what about other lessons from the Bible? “Greater things than these shall ye do” or “Sing a new song”?
Robbins differentiates between motivation and passion: motivation fades but passion lasts.
He also refers to the power of limiting beliefs, explaining that we grow to the limits of our imagination and are limited in our growth by our limiting beliefs.
While swimming laps in the pool this morning, I thought about his words and wondered about my own passions and limiting beliefs. My passion is art, sculpture; my limiting beliefs are a little less clear.
I think one limiting belief is that I do not deserve to be successful, that I do not think I can be successful now or ever. I postpone my success to some future date so as not to be disappointed.
Another limiting belief may be that I shouldn’t plan for the future, as it either implies some kind of lack of trust in the present or more probably an unwillingness on my part to exclude any possibilities that might arise.
A limiting belief that I heard growing up “if you could make money at that, someone would have already thought about it, and would be doing it.”
A limiting belief from the Bible might be "there is nothing is new under the sun” - a real killer for creative types. But what about other lessons from the Bible? “Greater things than these shall ye do” or “Sing a new song”?
I Did It!
Thursday, June 27, 1996
I did it. I carved again yesterday, and it was great. I need to just be there and start, and then the activity takes over.
Nothing Holding Me Back But Me
Wednesday, June 26, 1996
I don’t really feel like writing today because I have not been successful at all about carving. Today, however, opens up new possibilities, both for failure and success. I just need to walk down the stairs and do it. There is nothing holding me back today, no calls, no jobs, no assignments, no interruptions, save the kids, and that’s ok.
Secret of Success as an Artist
Tuesday, March 19, 1996
I thought I'd carve last night but instead I watched a movie, and a bad one at that.
I realize now that being successful at art is about creating pieces. Without the pieces there is nothing to sell and no business. This is the magic formula, there is no other. This is within my power to do.
I realize now that being successful at art is about creating pieces. Without the pieces there is nothing to sell and no business. This is the magic formula, there is no other. This is within my power to do.
Expectations of Failure Chill
Monday, January 15, 1996
It is minus -48 degrees C. The wood stove is proving its worth again. Yesterday I was up until 6AM trying to thaw the upstairs water line. For some reason the hot water line would not thaw. In the end I went to bed, leaving the all the taps on and a few hours later the hot water thawed and poured into tub and sink.
I have been thinking about a tendency I've had since youth to perform well under low expectations and fold when expectations are raised. Perhaps it is my own underlying expectation of failure? Recently, I have created more positive expectations for my self. I believe I will succeed at work. I function without a doubt that I'll succeed and so I do, but there exists within a dark voice of pessimism. Parental fear perhaps? Wanting me to succeed, the voice I remember is one of great apprehension and focus on the possibility of failure.
I will be successful. I will not give up on what is important.
I have been thinking about a tendency I've had since youth to perform well under low expectations and fold when expectations are raised. Perhaps it is my own underlying expectation of failure? Recently, I have created more positive expectations for my self. I believe I will succeed at work. I function without a doubt that I'll succeed and so I do, but there exists within a dark voice of pessimism. Parental fear perhaps? Wanting me to succeed, the voice I remember is one of great apprehension and focus on the possibility of failure.
I will be successful. I will not give up on what is important.
