"Writing a detective story seems quite difficult. I don't think you could do it."
- Madge Watts, in a letter to her younger sister, Agatha Christie
Have you ever become determined to succeed at something because someone told you that you weren't capable of it?
I don't know why anyone is cruel enough to tell someone else, "You'll never...", but there you are. I have taken great satisfaction in accomplishing things that I was told I could not.
Among other things, these include...
1. Finding an apartment (three, actually) in NYC.
2. Getting hired as a reporter.
3. Meeting people (more than one) who would love me for who I really am.
How about you?
18 comments:
I think it's cool you worked as a reporter!
Here are my top 3:
1) Write/speak the English language.
2) French kiss (the first guy I kissed playing "spin the bottle" at the age of 6 told everyone I sucked at it!)
3) Have a guy friend (que no quiere entrar en mis pantalones) lol
People don't really tell me I can't do things. Luckily people have been pretty supportive of my goals.
But three major things I would love to do that I've always been nervous about:
1.) Write a book
2.) Start my own website
3.) Get my own place
If you're told that you can't succeed for SO long, or that it won't work out for you if you follow your dreams... you eventually believe it.
Just now, at 40 years old.. I am starting to follow my dreams and I don't give a crap what any naysayers think about it. Of course.. cutting the people out of your life who are holding you down, or not allowing them to discourage you, is half the battle!
Ily: LMAO at #3! I also had someone tell me I sucked at doing a particular something, so I learned to do it very well. :)
S: These weren't people who knew me very well, for the most part... no one talks that way to me now! Go for all 3!
D: Good point - and good for you!
I was told I would never jump off a 40 story building naked in the snow. So far they are right...if only it was snowing that day...
My mother constantly told me I couldn't do this and I couldn't do that. She always said my brother was the bright one, the one who could write a book, the one who would be successful etc etc.
She was wrong, and I'm glad I proved it!
Well done to you too!
Interesting question.
hmmm....
hmmmm...
1) When I told a neighbor of mine I was getting married, he said I was too young to get married. I was 24 at the time.
2) I have been called every possible insult as it pertains to writing, including one that I'm most proud of: hack.
3) And on a wierd personal level, when I first started writing I always told myself I could never, ever write anything 'G' rated. Decided to challenge myself and lo' and behold, the end result became my first published story.
Love the story about Agatha Christie!
My mother once told me, when I was a teenager, that if I didn't get A's, I wouldn't end up driving a nice car! (she was right.) She has also told me, over the years, that basically nothing I did would ever lead to anything but disaster. (she was wrong.)
My grades could have been better in high school - my head was in the clouds and I was dreaming of moving on to something else. So my mother didn't support sending me to college. But my dad let me go and although I kept dropping out and dropping back in for several years, I finally graduated - magna cum laude.
Good post and thanks for opportunity to tell some stuff.
1.) About me -- exhusband said no way would I ever progress in banking enough to become a bank officer. Retired as VP. LOL
2.) Best about friend. She was left with three children and destitute after her divorce. The only work she could find in their small town was to bartend. She decided to relocate, apply for assistance and scholarships and finish her education. She told her school advisor that she wanted to become a physician and he literally laughed out loud and said there was no way a single mother with three children and undergrad work to still do could ever become a physician. Long story short -- She is a well respected private practice doctor in Colorado.
I was never told I couldn't do something, just the opposite.
I was told I could do anything I wanted if I applied myself.
I have tried to pass that on to my kids and grandkids
Darth: There's still time!
Joey: Good for you!
G: LMAO at #3!
FB: She was quite wrong!
L: Congrats!
GA: Ditto! And that is awesome about your friend, too.
GT: That is fantastic! My parents told us that, too - just a few jerks making unnecessary commentary here and there. Fortunately, the older and sassier I get...well, it doesn't seem to happen anymore ;)
My father told me that I was too stupid to go to college... I agree that I would be stupid to go ti please him... I did go and got my degree and all without to have to say "thank you" to him.. Made it all better!
H: Good for you. He was obviously very, very wrong.
There's an award for you over on my blog. Have fun!
I used to get called "inept" by my mother, but despite no college training, have had a successful career in graphic design, so *pppptttt* lol
Joey: Thanks!
JL: Good for you!
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