Stuff I Say To Other People...But Don’t Do Myself

Oh, don’t judge. You know exactly what I’m talking about. 

It's just been one of those weeks, you know? Where you start with the best intentions and you're all positive and super excited about life? And then halfway through you're like WHERE DID ALL THE HAPPY GO?

Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. And it's in weeks like these that I find myself ceasing to do any of the things that I am wont to claim will make me (and others) healthy, happy, and well-learned. 

So here it is: the list of self-helpy things I go around saying, and truly do believe, that I failed to do this week. But have no fear: I have great faith in next week! I'm going to start it off by reciting #3 to myself. 

1.       “It’s good to make mistakes and get things wrong. It’s the best way to learn!”

I say this to students (and co-workers and friends and, far too often, my husband) over and over again all day long. I’m like a broken record. And then I make one really stupid mistake on the internet, and I’m beating myself up about it for days.

Here’s a picture of the stupid mistake, in case you were curious. Clearly I'm still beating myself up, as I've found posting it here rather cathartic.

2.       “Write for yourself, not your audience.”

I used to have a quote bearing this sentiment pasted to my computer. And I’m constantly telling other authors that as long as they’re writing what they love to write, it doesn't matter if they sell one book. Heck, I repeat that to myself every night. But then my book dips a few ranks on Amazon and I’m ready to throw the computer out the window.

3.       “Thinking positively is really important. Stop complaining about all the little things that annoy you during the day. Try to appreciate the good things in your life. ”

Gosh I’m preachy sometimes. Sure, I believe positive thinking is important. And that it has serious effects on your patterns of thinking and on your general outlook on life. 


Until I get a few emails that make me angry. Next things you know I’m whining at everyone who will listen to me like I’m hoping for some sort of Complainer of the Year award.

4.       “You can’t control everything in life. Accept the things you can’t change, and have courage to change the things you can’t.”

Yeah, I am ALL ABOUT the serenity prayer. Too bad I have so little serenity myself. I've spent ten years convincing myself that if I just talk about it enough, surely middle school class sizes will get smaller.  Clearly I'm a little behind on the acceptance piece. 

5.       “Don’t base on your own measure of success on what anyone else accomplishes.”

I’ll get right on that. Right after I check John Green’s Amazon sales ranking and obsess for a few hours over how awesome Kelly Gallagher and Mary Ehrenworth are.



I suppose the good new is that I'm highly aware of what I SHOULD be doing. And that's the first step, right? Visualize your ideal behaviors! 

That's probably the next thing I'll start telling other people to do.