As an artist and entrepreneur myself, this is the post I needed today. I've been struggling A LOT with trying to think strategically about my business, and that's taking me away from the joy I find in creating and sharing art. This says to me, best to keep moving in a direction and pay attention to what happens rather than try to build a bunch of systems that may or may not support what works.
So often on social media we see the highlight reels and while we know that's the case we do not get to directly ask the person that we look up to or are inspired by, what is really going on behind the scenes. I really appreciate the insight that 'everyone is making things up' especially in a room of people who are considered the best at what they do.
As I turn 60 this month, I can confirm that 'everyone is winging it' only becomes ever more clear to us as we age. (I'm starting to understand why many older folks seem to have that 'knowing', impish look in their eye - because they KNOW this so deeply at their age, and it's freeing!)
Yes, we gain wisdom along the way; more experience, more knowledge - but that does not preclude the fact that, truly, *everyone is winging it. Even when (especially when?) you make big plans - there will be curve balls, and left turns you never saw coming. Then, resilience and flexibility - and, often, acceptance - will be your greatest allies.
Lovely post. Making it up as we go along is a vastly underappreciated superpower. 😀
A side thought: I am an academic, therefore I attend professional conferences on regular basis. I am often so nervous about my own presentation that I have a tough time focusing on work of others who present before me. I always hope my presentation will be scheduled on the first day, so I can enjoy the rest of the gatheting!
Thank you soo much for this post! I know this feeling so deeply well! It's good to read that fear and feeling this imposter syndrome are just part of the journey.
I always wanted to write books, but I doubted myself too much, ending up not writing much or abandoning projects for new ones, I thought would be more successful if I would just finish them. I am by far not where those people at the annual meeting are, you described, or at your level. But I am starting out to write in a way, that fits my style. I began showing my art, and doing more of it. And like you described I feel ready to double down on my current project! I got a good feeling, as I never have been focussed for so long!
I’ve seen this in boardrooms in big companies too. I travelled a lot for business and I felt very young and inexperienced- yet so often I’ve been surprised at how much other people are winging it!
If your in a room with a bunch of amazing talented people then you deserve to be in that room. But I guess we all have a form of imposter syndrome and comparing ourselves.
Now that we seem to be in an era of vulnerability and authenticity, we are hearing from successful people that, actually, they are burnt out or that they made a mistake to go large so quickly, or they relied and paid for an expensive mentor and now they are miserable.
From the outside, these people are making good money and building empires - but they are winging, like you said.
One thing that always would amaze me is that some people write a book and then they are onto the next thing. In my mind, writing a book IS the destination. 😂 But to them it’s just part of the journey. I find this so mind boggling, but it makes sense. It just feels like a lot when you haven’t achieved it yet.
I really enjoyed this thank you - it’s something I don't think we can hear too often, especially as Substack is still a form of social media, even if a more friendly one. It's so easy to just assume you're the only one "winging it"! I love the idea that maybe I'm not winging it, I'm trying different things and seeing what works 🙏
I noticed that event because of some people I follow on IG like Pat (saw the pic with the two of you). So hearing your thoughts and from others after it is nice!
I attended WDS in 2019 and I feel like building anything of that sort is quite an accomplishment, although of course it’s a community effort. This to say that there’s always someone ahead of us and behind us on the journey. I think what is most important for me about this post is the idea of it being ok to feel both inspired and depressed in the company of those more accomplished than us. These feelings of not being good enough or far enough along, I believe, surface so that we take a look at that part of ourselves and honor the place where we are at.
Perfectly said and I'm right there with you. I used to have to give talks in Church on Sunday when I was a kid. I'd write this great speech and then get up and deliver something "off the cuff" that felt more authentic and real to me on that day, in that space and with those I felt would hear the message. My writing starts and stops. I never feel it's good enough, but it seems good to others and some even comment that they wish they could allow themselves the freedom to really express what they feel on any given day. Life, to me, is an adventure and therefore there is some planning, but mostly it's just taking it one step at a time and adjusting along the way. If there's a bear on the trail while hiking, I take an alternate route. If it rains when I taking a walk I take off my shoes and splash in the puddles. The goal for me is to do whatever it is I'm doing with passion and joy. Therefore it's constantly changing and evolving as I enjoy more adventures. Opening to that process makes me feel truly free.
That's the problem with everyone thinking they need to get it right and be correct, no one knows what correct is and everyone has a different meaning of right.
You can be correct and still be wrong. You can be incorrect and still be right.
Just keep doing you, do the do and the funky chicken too, you know?
As an artist and entrepreneur myself, this is the post I needed today. I've been struggling A LOT with trying to think strategically about my business, and that's taking me away from the joy I find in creating and sharing art. This says to me, best to keep moving in a direction and pay attention to what happens rather than try to build a bunch of systems that may or may not support what works.
Answers often reveal themselves when we engage the field, you’re on the right track! =)
So often on social media we see the highlight reels and while we know that's the case we do not get to directly ask the person that we look up to or are inspired by, what is really going on behind the scenes. I really appreciate the insight that 'everyone is making things up' especially in a room of people who are considered the best at what they do.
As I turn 60 this month, I can confirm that 'everyone is winging it' only becomes ever more clear to us as we age. (I'm starting to understand why many older folks seem to have that 'knowing', impish look in their eye - because they KNOW this so deeply at their age, and it's freeing!)
Yes, we gain wisdom along the way; more experience, more knowledge - but that does not preclude the fact that, truly, *everyone is winging it. Even when (especially when?) you make big plans - there will be curve balls, and left turns you never saw coming. Then, resilience and flexibility - and, often, acceptance - will be your greatest allies.
Lovely post. Making it up as we go along is a vastly underappreciated superpower. 😀
A side thought: I am an academic, therefore I attend professional conferences on regular basis. I am often so nervous about my own presentation that I have a tough time focusing on work of others who present before me. I always hope my presentation will be scheduled on the first day, so I can enjoy the rest of the gatheting!
Thank you soo much for this post! I know this feeling so deeply well! It's good to read that fear and feeling this imposter syndrome are just part of the journey.
I always wanted to write books, but I doubted myself too much, ending up not writing much or abandoning projects for new ones, I thought would be more successful if I would just finish them. I am by far not where those people at the annual meeting are, you described, or at your level. But I am starting out to write in a way, that fits my style. I began showing my art, and doing more of it. And like you described I feel ready to double down on my current project! I got a good feeling, as I never have been focussed for so long!
Looking forward to your next post!! ❤️🙌
Great read! It’s so good to hear that even those we perceive as successful, accomplished, and so on are anxious and questioning themselves.
I’ve seen this in boardrooms in big companies too. I travelled a lot for business and I felt very young and inexperienced- yet so often I’ve been surprised at how much other people are winging it!
If your in a room with a bunch of amazing talented people then you deserve to be in that room. But I guess we all have a form of imposter syndrome and comparing ourselves.
Now that we seem to be in an era of vulnerability and authenticity, we are hearing from successful people that, actually, they are burnt out or that they made a mistake to go large so quickly, or they relied and paid for an expensive mentor and now they are miserable.
From the outside, these people are making good money and building empires - but they are winging, like you said.
One thing that always would amaze me is that some people write a book and then they are onto the next thing. In my mind, writing a book IS the destination. 😂 But to them it’s just part of the journey. I find this so mind boggling, but it makes sense. It just feels like a lot when you haven’t achieved it yet.
I really enjoyed this thank you - it’s something I don't think we can hear too often, especially as Substack is still a form of social media, even if a more friendly one. It's so easy to just assume you're the only one "winging it"! I love the idea that maybe I'm not winging it, I'm trying different things and seeing what works 🙏
I noticed that event because of some people I follow on IG like Pat (saw the pic with the two of you). So hearing your thoughts and from others after it is nice!
I attended WDS in 2019 and I feel like building anything of that sort is quite an accomplishment, although of course it’s a community effort. This to say that there’s always someone ahead of us and behind us on the journey. I think what is most important for me about this post is the idea of it being ok to feel both inspired and depressed in the company of those more accomplished than us. These feelings of not being good enough or far enough along, I believe, surface so that we take a look at that part of ourselves and honor the place where we are at.
I really felt this message, and I'm grateful for it. I have been making it up as I go my whole life and I'm glad to know everyone else has too.
Perfectly said and I'm right there with you. I used to have to give talks in Church on Sunday when I was a kid. I'd write this great speech and then get up and deliver something "off the cuff" that felt more authentic and real to me on that day, in that space and with those I felt would hear the message. My writing starts and stops. I never feel it's good enough, but it seems good to others and some even comment that they wish they could allow themselves the freedom to really express what they feel on any given day. Life, to me, is an adventure and therefore there is some planning, but mostly it's just taking it one step at a time and adjusting along the way. If there's a bear on the trail while hiking, I take an alternate route. If it rains when I taking a walk I take off my shoes and splash in the puddles. The goal for me is to do whatever it is I'm doing with passion and joy. Therefore it's constantly changing and evolving as I enjoy more adventures. Opening to that process makes me feel truly free.
That's the problem with everyone thinking they need to get it right and be correct, no one knows what correct is and everyone has a different meaning of right.
You can be correct and still be wrong. You can be incorrect and still be right.
Just keep doing you, do the do and the funky chicken too, you know?
I think about this all the time whenever I feel intimidated by someone's work/accomplishments/progress/life.