It’s always been fascinating to me just how interconnected our lives are.
I was reminded of this once again this morning when I noticed a link from this uplifting article on Amit Sodha’s “The Power of Choice”. In it, he describes how he used a quote that he came across here on Creating a Better Life in a talk to some students.
[Anyone out there know who first said "Fall Down Twice, Stand Up Three Times"? I'd really like to know where I got that from.]
So something I wrote way back when got used on the other side of the world to inspire some students who have never heard of me and I’ll probably never meet. Fascinating.. and pretty cool!
Let me explain why I’m blowing my own horn here.
About an hour before discovering Amit’s article, I was in a Facebook back and forth with Robin Skeen, in which I said that I’ve had writers block for a little more than a year now.
Yes, I’ve done some blogging (I was really in the zone when I wrote this review of “How To Be Rich and Happy”), but I’ve flaked quite a bit, both on writing for this blog, and on doing promised guest posts and reviews for others. (Extra apologies to Seamus and Chuck.)
There’s a very simple reason for my lack of production.
I stopped believing that I had anything worthwhile to say.
I mean, come on. I’m just a guy, working a low level job, an ex-drunk who still wrestles with depression and keeps picking up cigarettes no matter how many times he says “That’s It”.
And I’m going to write about personal development?
Yup!
Personal development isn’t about being perfect… it’s about development. It’s about learning to be a little better today than you were yesterday.
And if you were a little worse today? That just means that it’ll be easier to be better tomorrow. 
For better or worse, you are permanently married to you. All you have to be is who you want to be. Actually, you don’t “have to” do anything – but it’s insane to measure yourself against anyone but yourself.
Own a software company? You don’t have to be Bill Gates.
Write fiction? Forget about being Stephen King.
Internet Marketer? There’s only one Mark Joyner.
Personal Development Blogger? Stop trying to be Steve Pavlina.
Not that we can’t learn from these people… they all have lessons to teach.
But I don’t want to be anyone by Lyman. “Writer’s Block” and all.
(Holy Moley… I think I just wrote something…)
Similar Posts:
- Self Doubt
- The Perfectionist
- The Benefit of Burning Out
- Driving to Your Goals
- Pointers To Resources For Your Better Life #2
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Honey, just stop and reflect on where you (we) were at this time 5 years ago. On the brink of foreclosure, drinking, barely hanging on to really bad jobs after losing a great job to alcoholism, and me about to leave. Today we have a stronger marriage than we ever had before the separation, live in a beautiful apartment, you have held on a decent job for over 4 years and will celebrate 5 years of sobriety in July. If that isn’t personal development than I don’t know what is. I love you so much and am so proud of you!
No… *that* wasn’t TMI at all, hon! LOL
Thank you for still being here despite all of it. I love you.
5 years is amazing. Congratulations to you both.
Thanks, Tony!
Hey Lyman,
Congrats firstly on the 5 years! That’s an amazing achievement and something definitely worth blogging about too, that in itself could become a big series.
We all have those major imperfections, in fact, that was my #TT on twitter for today, our imperfections are the things that make use amazingly unique and infact make us qualified to talk about these topics.
Thanks for the mention and even though it’s been a while, for some strange reason you’ve always been in my thoughts!
Amit
Thanks, Amit! I really appreciate your input here. Just like you said, you often pop into my head as well. Seeing that link was great suprise!
“Personal development isn’t about being perfect… it’s about development.”…nice!
A little bit here, a little bit there, step by step is what it takes.
Congrats on the 5!
Ian
Well Lyman, I’ve read quite a few personal development blogs written by people who write in a way that gives me the impression that they do think they’ve achieved perfection. Their blogs become vehicles to pass on the wisdom they’ve learned from achieving this distinction.
Frankly I’d much prefer to read, and learn from, a real human being – complete with imperfections, writer’s block, troubled journey and who smokes many ‘last’ cigarettes.
BTW – I’m a different ‘Ian’ from the previous Ian. Just thought that might need to be explained .. not an especially common name after all.
Thanks, Ian… it’s funny, before seeing the full name, I thought the first Ian was you. And now here you are commenting!
Who knows? Maybe they have achieved some form of perfection… but the more I think about it, just what does that mean, anyway? I’m “perfect” at getting back up after falling – the proof is in the fact that I’m still breathing.
Woo-Hoo! I’ve “made it”!
Thanks for swinging by and commenting.
Thanks Ian for a timely reminder not to strive for perfection and to just get on with it. This is a great reminder for someone like me who often fails to start and continue projects since they are not “perfect”.
It is my first time here on your blog – worth waiting for:-)
Firstly congratulations on your almost 5 years – as Amit says, that in itself is worth writing a series about.
Also, being yourself and writing about your true demons is what allows your readers to connect and resonate with you.
So may we all be “imperfect” always!
Good luck with everything, Ian.
Ian’s, Ian’s everywhere!
Thanks, Arvind. Your comment reminded me of something Abraham-Hicks says:
“You can never get it wrong, and you never get it done.” (or something like that.)
I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
- Lyman
Thanks for being so open and honest. Ian is right that so many self development ‘experts’ try to pass themselves off as being perfect. After all, there is only one Dalai Lama – even he is probably not perfect. We learn so much better from mistakes…our own and others. That’s why Oprah is so popular. She freely admits to her mistakes.
Apologies! I meant Lyman of course:-)
See, I am already being “imperfect”!
Sherri, the Dalai Lama is definitely not perfect.
This is a true story from a friend who stood on his toe whilst rushing for the ladies. The Dalai Lama came out of the gents just then and when my friend stepped on his toe, he gasped and said “S..t”! So even he curses and swears:-)
No harm, Arvind. I’ve done that plenty of times myself