We all have different goals. Different dreams. Different opportunities. But no matter what we’re aiming for, we all hope to succeed.
I’ve attended lots of writers conferences in years past. (Not lately. It’s been more about my daughter’s volleyball tournaments — and I’m okay with that.)
When I’m with writers, we talk about the books we’re writing. The books we want to write. And we never, ever say, “I hope I fail at this writing gig.”
Nope.
But sometimes . . . sometimes, we fall prey to “What if …”
- What if I don’t land an agent?
- What if I don’t land a book contract?
- What if my books don’t sell well?
And if we’re not careful, the what ifs can weigh on us like reality. Even worse, we use them as a jumping board to conclusions about our creative ability, our future, our value.
When you’re jumping to conclusions, you’re always heading in the wrong direction.
In Your Words: How do you avoid jumping to conclusions?
In Others' Words: Don't Jump -- To Conclusions, That Is! http://bit.ly/2NAy7va #quotes #success Click To Tweet 'To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.' Quote by Benjamin Franklin http://bit.ly/2NAy7va #success #perspective Click To Tweet
Comments 10
There’s one truth that blazes across my sky.
What if I don’t live that long?
Well, then, eat dessert first.
Author
As always, Andrew, you look up. Look for the positive, and try to smile in the face of overwhelming odds.
Interesting post and image. They say gravity on the moon is 1/6th what it is on earth so astronauts easily jump six times as high. Sometimes jumping to conclusions is like that, amazing gravity-defying leaps. I’m working hard on not leaping so much but inching my way, gathering and filtering info., and asking the Lord His opinions so I’m less likely to champion my uninformed one. Apparently it takes a lifetime.
Author
Dee: Yes — asking God for His insight, His clarity, His opinion … so wise.
“What if’s” are usually a writer’s best friend but those could be called “what if’s gone wrong.” ?
Thanks for such a timely reminder, as always. I may not always comment but your posts always speak to the issues in my head. Thank you so much!
Angie
Author
Angie: We’ve had fun talking through “what ifs,” haven’t we? But imagining “what ifs” for our future can get us off track emotionally and spiritually.
I do ask myself those questions sometimes. What if… and all this was time I could have spent doing something that served others more. Thanks for sharing this quote. A great reminder.
Author
Oh, Lori, I love your heart and how you immediately thought of serving others. 🙂
I needed this today. Thank you. The What Ifs were getting in my way this week.
Author
Denise: May the “what ifs” be silenced by the truth. Praying for you.