It’s human nature to avoid risk. We don’t want to embarrass ourselves. We don’t want to diminish our credibility. So we stay near the center. We censor our words and disguise our true thoughts.
Besides, who are we to tell other people they’re wrong? How can we really be sure of ourselves?
We can’t. But we have to risk being wrong if we ever want to really be right. This quote from John Irving explains why. His example deals with writing, but it applies to any creative endeavor.
If you don’t feel that you are possibly on the edge of humiliating yourself, of losing control of the whole thing, then probably what you are doing isn’t very vital. If you don’t feel like you are writing somewhat over your head, why do it? If you don’t have some doubt of your authority to tell this story, then you are not trying to tell enough.
Thanks to Screw You! for the quote.
Related Articles:
- Suck It Up
- Save the World by Being Lazy - Recommended Reading
- A Letter of Advice to College Freshmen
- Inspirational Quote #3 by Pablo Picasso
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...
Hi John, I think this is a good point and has been said many times in many ways but is worth re-iterating.
We are here on this earth for around 70 years, on average. The first 25 years or so we are finding ourselves, the last 25 years we are trying to play catchup on the things we wished we had done so that leaves 20 years to go for it, not much time is it!
Jong Irving is so right about this point
John Irving’s quote is now on a sticky attached to my laptop. Excellent.
Great quote.
Steve — I’m 25 and I think on the verge of having ‘found myself’….guess my 20 years starts now!
Finding myself is something I’ve definitely been wrestling with for a while. It’s tough to know when you’ve, if ever, you finally get there. I think this blog, and sharing my thoughts with others, has really helped though.
[…] retailer or professional locksmith who also sells safes, you are likely to be dealing with someone who knows which safe will best fill your unique needs, these people make their living by selling safes, they know how a […]