Monday, June 18, 2012

Defeatist Attitude

I have to admit that I haven't began my outdoor soccer season in the best of shape. I injured my calf back in January and didn't let it heal, so I've been battling pulled muscles, tight hamstrings and feeling like I'm saddle sore all the time. This does not leaned itself to exercising hard, so my fitness is not great and it's affected my game. Not necessarily because I can't run, but because I think I can't. I'm constantly worried about taking that one stride that's going to tear my hamstring.

I'm psyching myself out of games. Before they even start I think I can't do it, or we can't possibly win. That needs to stop. First, I need to lose the extra poundage that is hindering any kind of recovery, then I need to push through and exercise harder and finally I need to believe I can do it.

I need to follow this advice when it comes to writing. Lots of times I set myself up for failure. I have a defeatist attitude. I convince myself that my writing isn't good enough or there's no way I could market myself the way others are able to. I talk myself out of trying, but that needs to stop. First I need to write even if it's crap, I need to write. Then I need to edit and read and edit some more, and finally, I need to believe I can do it.

So here's to believing.

How about you? What do you do to make yourself believe?

11 comments:

Stina said...

Oh, I'm bad for this. I cycle. One day I believe I can do it, and the next day I believe I'm a fraud. Hmmm. Makes me sound bipolar. But instead of mood swings, I have belief swings.

Wendy Paine Miller said...

I look back on past accomplishments. I pay attention to encouragement over discouragement and I generally kick myself in the butt and disallow myself to believe it won't happen.
~ Wendy

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Easier said than done but I often finding myself repeating that having 'fallen off the horse' I simply have to get back on.

Hoping all is well soon Patti, you will get there.

Haddock said...

Like they say, a little bit of "under confidence" is always better as it will help you accomplish the target :-)

Emily R. King said...

Thinking you can achieve your goal is half the battle. Thanks for this post, Patti. I needed it today!

Colene Murphy said...

Oh yes, I'm bad about that in both my fitness and writing too. I'm told CONSTANTLY that a good attitude, being positive about ____, and dreaming big and believing in yourself, etc etc will make the world of difference in the outcome. I'm still trying to get myself to believe it even if I don't understand it. But it works for others! So here's hoping you can get into it too!

mshatch said...

I'm like Stina, one minute I think I've written something pretty darn good and the next it's complete and utter shite. But now that I only have two chapters left I'm finishing this puppy regardless!

Carolyn V said...

Great post Patti! I think the main thing for me is to just keep trying. And hopefully the belief will come. ;)

Peggy Shumway said...

Thanks for this great post. I received my first rejection this week on my latest novel. I know the struggle has just begun, but the blow doesn't help to build my confidence. I have to rise above this and believe I can do it. I believe...I believe...

Martin Willoughby said...

I just hired a new muse. It's amazing the inspriation you get with the cold metal of a magnum 44 barrel resting on your neck.

Unknown said...

I know you're thinking about writing, but with how you started the post, I can't help but think I have to exercise more! lol
So, um, I believe that. hahaha!