Day 6 - (Motivation) Don't Be Afraid To Be See Trying

Struggling doesn't make you less of a dancer. It makes you real, human, and committed. Let them see the mess. That's where the mastery comes from. Greatness is built in repetition, not applause. ~Ayca Anil

If you have ever gone to a book signing, you will fully understand what we are talking about here. Authors will sit behind their tables and smile, signing books, shaking hands, taking pictures and talking about how much fun it was to write their books. You will see the same thing when you watch or listen to programs on C-Span, PBS, or NPR as authors talk about their books. Honestly, I have never heard an author talk about struggling. Oh, they may talk about finding motivation, but for the most part, they make it sound like writing was a fairytale experience. 

We see it also on television and in the movies. You have all seen the portrayals of authors as they sit at home, working on their patios writing leisurely. Um, yeah, right. Not happening. 

In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about how unreal and how fake social media has become and about how people will only post the good things online. We never want to show people who we really are online. 

In 2020, Christian music recording artist, Matthew West released the song Truth Be Told which explains this the best:

Lie number one you're supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you're doing
Just smile and tell them, "Never better"

Lie number 2 everybody's life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds
And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors

Truth be told
The truth is rarely told

The reality is, there is nothing wrong with being who you are. Struggling is fine. Everyone struggles in life. No one has it perfect. In fact, going through the process of recognizing those weaknesses, will allow you the chance to work through those issues and make yourself a better person. 

Keeping those failures inside and hiding those failures inside is simply bottling up those emotions which is simply not a healthy experience. Sure, you might feel like you are doing this to not let anyone else down, but the person you are eventually hurting will be you. Think of a bottle of soda. Keep it sealed and shake it. Keep shaking it long enough. What happens? Eventually it will blow. Releasing that pressure, will keep things from becoming a big mess.

Your readers will not lose faith in you if they see you as human. Your editors will not hate you if you have a headache or if you get the flu. Life happens. It is fine if you have a bad day. You are human. You are not a Superhuman and no one ever asked you to be or expected you to be.