Coffee Thoughts
Today I faced rejection after rejection.
When I opened my company in October, I knew it wouldn’t be a breeze to get it off the ground. Even then, there are days when I lose all my confidence because nothing seems to be working.
But there is one idea that helps me keep going.
Embracing the discomfort of feeling foolish, again and again.
Laying a solid foundation for my business means I have to do many things I’ve never done before. There isn’t a textbook to learn from. There isn’t a foolproof recipe to emulate.
So I end up trying something out and failing. And when things don’t go as planned, the feeling of embarrassment creeps in every time.
Nobody likes feeling foolish, but the feeling fades away. We can’t avoid vulnerability, uncertainty, and self-doubt when we try something new. But if we can lean into that discomfort and act in spite of it, we’ll learn, improve, and manage to make it work eventually.
I’m scared to feel the sting of indifference or even contempt, but it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t make my offer.
I’m hurt when people say my ideas are unrealistic, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t worth sharing.
I hate feeling like I’m making a fool of myself with my clumsy first steps. But the trust in myself, that I would figure it out eventually, keeps me going. That’s why I know that enduring a few minutes of embarrassment, again and again, will be worth it.
Guided Introspection
One of the fundamental beliefs of this community is that you already have all the answers within you. You just need to find the courage to trust yourself.
I believe that it is possible for you to discover your purpose. I believe that you can live a life that aligns with your values, even if the world around you doesn’t accept it. I believe that if you want a more rewarding job, you can make it happen. I believe in every one of us.
And it’s because of this belief that I’m willing to keep trying new things even when I feel uncertain or dejected. The question is, do you believe in yourself?
Do you believe that living a meaningful life and doing meaningful work is possible for you?
Take it easy,
Anna Foucault