Hello, boys and girls, and welcome to Holly's Life Lessons That You May Have Known Already. Last time, you'll remember we talked about how our seemingly silly childhood pleasures give us insight into our core traits. Today's lesson is about how we can take our natural inclinations seriously.
Lesson 2: Perhaps we're not kidding ourselves. Every year, American Idol starts with dozens of laughable auditions from people who really shouldn't be there. They've dreamed of this moment their whole lives, only to be put on TV for the rest of us to mock. If we're supposed to pay attention to what we enjoyed as kids, how are we to avoid pursuing dreams which we can't back up with talent or skill?
A year ago, I knew I liked humor and writing, and was pretty sure I was good at it. But what if I was wrong? Doesn't everyone think they could write Top 10 lists for David Letterman? Few probably can, and I suspect I am one of those few, but how can one really know?
After this past year, I arrived at this answer: Even if I'm deluded about how my skill compares to that of other people, I'm still better at writing than I am at most other activities (e.g. doing my taxes, astrophysics), and I'm more likely to find fulfillment in work that involves my core traits. And there's a place for the opinions of other people. Most of the bad performers we see on American Idol probably haven't sought much criticism from people who truly know good singing. And those who had received input -- and found it to be positive --probably received it from people who aren't qualified to judge singing ability and star power. I've received praise from people whose opinions I trust, so I've decided to stop asking whether I have any business trying to be a writer, and to instead get on with the trying.
Of course, you, my readers, will undoubtedly have an opinion on this. So if you think it's OK for me to quit my day job, but only if I do so to take another day job, feel free to speak up. Your validation will come should I ever be laughed off of Literary Idol.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Quit all your day jobs Holly!! As someone once said "great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them". Have courage and believe in yourself, as all who know you believe in you. I assume liability for moral damage in case all goes wrong. :)
Post a Comment