Why Not Me?

If they can, why can't you? What is stopping you from being the 1%?

I am someone in search of the impossible (according to most.)

I am in search of success in a world of ‘no’s’, ‘maybe’s’ and ‘not yet’s'.

Whenever I choose not to bite my tongue, and be honest about what it is I want out of life, to create, to write, to direct, to act, to be a part of something bigger than myself, the response is often a pensive silence, followed by- ‘That’s a really difficult industry to break into.’

My mind instantly begins to shout back, “EVERY JOB MARKET AT THE MINUTE IS AWFUL!” “TALK TO A HANDFUL OF ACADEMIC STUDENTS AND ASK THEM HOW EASILY THEY WALKED INTO EMPLOYMENT AFTER GRADUATION!” But I keep my cool. I choose to simply nod and say; “Maybe. But if all those people can do it, why can’t I?”

Truth is, in moments where I begin to doubt my capability of pursuing a life of creativity, I am the only roadblock in my path. The minute I allow other’s thoughts to infiltrate my self belief, is the moment I become my own hindrance. Because their words are just words, I’m the one who has the ability to work and take action.

“You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

-Jim Carrey

I often think about this quote from a speech Jim Carrey gave. I think about the anecdote of his father sacrificing passion for stability, which ended up being in vain. The truth is: failure is around every corner, in every industry. You can choose the safer option for the sake of stability, and lose your job ten years down the line. You can stick with the college course for the sake of a degree you won’t pursue a career in.

I can choose to take a risk on myself and fail… or I can choose to take a risk on myself and succeed. When you find yourself asking “What if it all goes wrong?”, instead ask yourself, “What if it turns out even better than I’d hoped?”

In Greek Mythology, Icarus is a cautionary tale of unchecked ambition. When we think of Icarus, we think of how he flew too close to the sun and burnt himself out… but we often forget to remember that he flew at all.

I’d rather try and fail, than never try at all and forever wonder what would have happened if I had.

So it brings into question,

Why Not Me?

When I ask myself that question, I often can’t think of an answer. Any answers I do come up with are often excuses to avoid trying at all.

"I’m no good at it.” - Take a class, work until you are good at it.

“There are no opportunities for me where I live.” - How can you work to be ready for when they are there?

“Nobody want’s to read what I’m writing.” - Have you even shown them?

When you lack the ability to take a risk on yourself, and try at what you really want, the only risk you run is the risk of missing out on the life you want to lead.

A risk taken on oneself is not a risk unless you quit.

The Truth Is,

Maybe I will not be the 1%, maybe I won’t even be top 10%…

But I’d rather be at the bottom of a ladder that I want to climb, then halfway up one I don’t.

Ask yourself:

What ladder are you wanting to climb?

And remember:

It’s never too late to change your mind, and get on the right track for you.

And don’t forget to comment, or like, or share, or message, or just silently sit and read- everything helps! Thank you always for your positive feedback and for taking the time to read what I have to say xoxo

All the best, always,

Naoise x