Yesterday at the office I attended a workshop on the art risk taking. Pre-workshop literature marketed it as concrete tools to help participants narrow the divide between where you are and where you want to be by learning to
Take smart risks consistent with their values
Develop resiliency through strategies for handling fear, failure, rejection, and criticism
Establish practices to reduce stress and burnout
What the marketing did not promise was a quick fix for the fear that surrounds risk. Thankfully, I thrive on risk, so I was one step ahead of my fellow participants. It amazed me, as I sat with the 20 other people who had signed up for the workshop at how deep risk aversion runs. I guess being a potter has desensitized me to failure, rejection, and criticism; but not fear...fear is something I still struggle with.
This year is different, however. I'm facing fear head on. I'm turning a blind eye, doing it afraid, and making the asks anyway. I mean, the worst that can happen is I'm told no; but if I don't ask, I'll never be told yes.
And you know what? Gabby Bernstein was right! Ask, and the universe will give you what you want. I asked for my first collaboration earlier this year, and was so happy with the result that I am looking for my next collaboration, and the one after that, and the one after that. I also asked to be in my first show and sale, and was accepted to the Michiana Pottery Tour September 28-29 in Goshen, Indiana.
Is this a great group of potters, or what?!? I always aim to be the dumbest person in the room, and this tour is no exception. I have no words to describe how stoked I am to be a part of this group. Hahaha. Me, speechless. I am....
Yep, terrified. I am the least of these. Yet, I am strong enough to do it afraid. I have learned, on my journey with clay, that fear is a crucial part of the process, and it is not something to be afraid of. In fact, I have consistently made my greatest improvements when I have walked hand in hand with fear, for clay is the most forgiving element on planet earth. If you mess something up, you reclaim it, and begin again.
Working with clay demystifies failure and covers it with the opportunity to reformulate an idea and try it again. Why? Because I have this big, fierce love for clay that is bigger, fiercer than my fear. Love is the full house and beats the flush of fear every time. Risk? LOVE IT!
Everything you want is on the other side of fear. ~Jack Canfield