Self-doubt, failure and opportunity
I came from a rough childhood, caught between the struggle of education and multiple bereavements in my family. At the time, I would have described myself as pessimistic and miserable after all I did go through. You can read more about my story here.
I thought it was all downhill at many stages in my life when I was going through these experiences, but I continued to push forward - this led me to success, by eventually winning the Derry Credit Union’s Young People’s Award for Business and Entrepreneurship after starting my Facebook page ‘Derry Footage’ and even now this website where I do work for clients.
So what’s this blog really all about?
The things that I know now in life are the things that I wish I would have known when I was growing up.
Throughout my experiences, I have developed a mindset which challenges the 'ordinary ways' that a lot of people think including my own mindset when I was growing up.
As I am now older and more mature, I live a more positive mindset and I would love to share my frame of mind as I feel it is important, beneficial and might just give you an interesting perspective that hopefully, you can take something from.
If you have a great idea - do it. The longer you wait, the further you are from it.
Anytime I’ve had an idea, I did it. Anytime an opportunity came my way, I took it. It doesn’t matter if it was paid or not - I love getting involved with projects and collaborating with others - it’s how you get your name out there and make forever valuable connections. It gives you the experience you need and a better reputation. Never pass up good opportunities.
Most people will doubt themselves.
Sure, when you’re trying something new or doing things you haven’t done before you might question yourself; you might doubt yourself. This might not be necessarily always a bad thing. Self-doubt is normal and it happens to everybody. Just think alternatively. Use self-doubt as your ambition and enthusiasm to pursue your goals. Strive to do your best.
Everybody should get out there in the world, give it all you got and take chances.
When you do get out there, pursuing your goals, the likelihood of you failing along the way could be high, but you should embrace failure… Failure is such a scary word but you shouldn’t be afraid to fail because everybody fails. Failing at something isn’t the end of the world, often it can be a redirection onto something much better. You have to take the downfalls and turn them into something much better. Think of failure as motivation to work harder.
Commit and discipline yourself.
Ultimately this is how you progress - nobody can do it for you. People become successful from hard work and trust me, hard work does work and you will get to where you want to be if you keep working hard. You will have to challenge yourself, but a challenge will always give you a better sense of achievement once you make it.
Good things happen when you care less and do more.
I can’t express this point enough but have confidence in yourself and speak confidently about yourself. People are often truly much more competent than they believe they are. Absolutely do not talk yourself out of good opportunities.
Do not worry about not being able to do something perfectly - figure out how to do things along the way. If you believe in your ability to do something, others will too. You do not have to be perfect at everything you come by but always have the willingness to learn and do better.
