THE PARADOX OF SUCCESS
As I was roaming about in the halls of my Blogging University, one particular headline caught my eye:Why I Don’t Believe In Writer’s Block. The title is compelling, I must admit. I had to read it. So I did.
Until that point, I had never even questionned the fact that writer’s block could be nothing but a fabrication in our mind. For me, debating it’s existence was equivalent to debating Earth’s geometrical form. To me writer’s block was REAL. Sure, I was aware of techniques that aim to facilitate writing flow, but in my mind the notorious writer’s block was inescapable, sort of like an inevitable bad day. A day when you’re just OFF.
Now, I won’t go into great detail about the content of the post, nor will I dispute the author’s view on the topic (I actually enjoyed it, as it offered perspective). All I wish to do is comment on one point that was brought up.
Towards the end of the post, the author offers an explanation as to why one may have writer’s block. What struck a chord with me was reason number 3: Fear of success. I found it strange that anyone trying to obtain success could actually fear it. Paradoxical, right?
But then I remembered a quote someone once told me way back when…
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?…
Marianne Williamson
Who are we not to be?
Sure we can be hesitant to deal with success’s side effects (jealousy and envy from others, to name one), but should status quo even be an option?
There are as many definitions of success as there are people on this planet, but I think we can all agree that success is an achievement of some sort. Reaching a sought after goal not only helps US, it can inspire others. As long as our goals/resolutions are moral and legal we should pursue them 100%.
Here is someone who explains it better than me. Check out the video
As always, join the discussion. You can leave your comments below and let me know what your angle is on this.
Ace 
Hi, I really enjoyed reading this and the opening image is really powerful, warm – I liked your use of the thinker statue too… have you put a survey / poll on yet? i don’t usually do them but have been for b201 … can’t stay long this visit (not ever so likely to want to read about dating personally, can’t workout but excercise freestyle and interested in health, nutrition and fitness – and I’ll be back – hope you’ll be over sometime to post an intro when you’ve a spare mo. ..cheers 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
I’m in the minority here I guess (judging from the other commenters), but I absolutely get writers block, mostly when I write fiction though. I can sit at my desk for hours with an idea in my head but it’s like every word I type is wrong, and I end up deleting vast swathes of work because I don’t know how to go forwards. I don’t think it has anything to do with fear for me; it’s just that inspiration comes and goes. Which is kind of why I like blogging, when I’m riding on a crest of inspiration, I can post, and when I’m not, I can look at my computer screen in despair lol
LikeLike
Yeah, I know what you mean. I think bloggers should jot down their thoughts several times throughout the day. Then, whenever you have the tume, you check on those thoughts. Having an inspiration bank can help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have found myself thinking up posts I’d like to create and waiting untill I was ‘in the zone’ to actually write them. I fell foul of trying to post regularly, and doing it even when I wasn’t inspired, and it came across in sloppy posts. That’s why I might post 3 times in a week, or nothing for a month, I don’t want to burn out you know?
LikeLike
I know what you mean. Readers will know when your posts lack passion. I wish I had a solution to this problem. Let’s find one!
LikeLike
This is very real. I met someone that told me once that “you are the master of your own happiness” after I was educated of that statement its been a while since anyone but me has let me down. I guess it goes towards what is being said here. We are our own worst critics, sometimes you have to believe in yourself so that others can too.
LikeLike
Yes. There are enough people out there that will doubt you. YOU shouldn’t add fuel to the flame. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is true that a good portion of the time, WE are the ones holding ourselves back. We can look for reasons in others, in our environment, in our stage of life, but most of the time if we change ourselves, we change it all. Good stuff! Thanks for posting.
LikeLike
Absolutely! Thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
I already follow Kate and had read the post you’re talking about. To me writers block is simply when I’m too tired to write (I have physical health problems and struggle to even think at times) but the idea of fearing success stuck with me as well and this is a great response to it. It seems that a lot of people question whether we deserve the good things in our lives. And writing success is one of those things. Even if we work hard there is that question of whether we deserve to succeed. It’s something I have personally tried to overcome many times in different aspects of my life. So is ‘writer’s block’ simply self sabotage out of a fear (perhaps unacknowledged fear)? It’s an interesting question and I do like that quote a lot. I’ll have to remember it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the comment
I think that if we fear success and greatness we limit ourselves and those limitations prevent us from “spreading our wings” Writers block can be a symptom of not being able to spread our wings properly. Like a dancer who is too shy and intimidated to “unleash”
LikeLike
Like a dancer exactly. That’s such a great way of putting it.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Thank YOU!
LikeLike
I’m so glad that what I wrote inspired you to write on the topic of fear of success. The quote you mentioned is actually what also turned me onto the concept (in a self-improvement book called 8 to Great). You really get at the heart of what I meant in my post. Success has so many definitions, and so often we worry that we don’t deserve it or it won’t be enough for us or we’ll screw it up later. But you’re right – we should pursue our positive goals 100%, without fear of failure OR success. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
LikeLiked by 1 person