What first popped into your mind when you read ‘I’m Horrible at ________!’? Did you fill the blank with Writing, Organizing, Blogging, Time Managing, Creating, Outlining? Or maybe, you’re dealing with a different season of life and your brain went to Friendships, Motherhood, Teaching, Accounting, or Influencing. These mantras that we say to ourselves, whether mentally or verbally, can really tear down the hard work we’ve done to get where we are today.

You may have just started your first novel, or you might be working on your tenth novel, regardless of where you are in life, your words are important. The point of this blog post is to tell you that if you focus on the ‘Horrible’, it will all seem HORRIBLE! Instead of focusing on the lies you tell yourself because you’re tired, hormonal, or just fed up with rejection, try to focus on the positive.

This time of year is all about being thankful, so try to answer the question ‘What am I thankful for?’.

1. Breath

2. Words

3. Laughter

After you have a list of things, then fill in the following blank… ‘I’m Good at ___________!’

1. Cooking

2. Listening

3. Plotting

(Mind you, this is a convicting moment because I struggle with all of the above.)

By taking in all of the positive, you can take steps forward in your journey, and become better all around. I’m never inspired to improve myself when I’m feeling down and out. It’s in those moments when a friend says a kind word, I have a lightbulb moment while outlining, or I find a new favorite song, that I’m carried through my most self deprecating thoughts into a more creative, and productive time. While practicing at being horrible at something, I may become good… And, while practicing at being good at something, I can become great! (And, so can you!)