Not Knowing That It Can’t Be Done

During an online presentation this week, I was asked what it takes to move from writing nonfiction to writing fiction and from being a professor of social sciences to becoming an artist. In general, the question was about what encourages variety in our lifetimes. I found an answer came rather quickly.

As a rigorous eclectic, I try new things and the challenge intrigues me. Usually, these new things are linked somehow to areas of previous interest. That’s part of the encouragement. But there is something my husband has said to me, about me, over the years that turns out to be true. I really don’t seem to know what can’t be done. Often people say, for example, “I could never be and artist” or “I could never write a novel.” Really? Never?

Maybe it’s true that most of us can’t be the best at something without an extensive amount of work. Perhaps some of us are a little too senior to become Olympians. But being the best is rarely the goal. Becoming reasonably good at something may be all you need. It may be more than you realized you could accomplish. Perhaps having moments when what you’re trying makes you smile is sufficient gratification. If that happens enough, you just might put more time into developing your skill and discover that you’re quite talented.

I’ll just leave that idea to percolate. Next time you hear yourself saying, “I can’t do that,” consider asking “Why not?” Then give it a try. And a few tries after that. See where it takes you and get back to me.