Only 6 likes?

Have you ever made a post on social media that didn’t get as much engagement as you thought it would?

Personally, when one of my photos or write-ups doesn’t receive the attention I hoped, it can knock the wind out of me.

I know that a master craftsperson continually pushes their edges and their capacity to express and impact. But for the first time I am realizing how self-centred my approach has been.

Because when I don’t get the reactions or comments I hoped, I start to question myself.

And the truth is, my questions and doubts are rarely about the work. 

The doubts are often me questioning my core. 

• Can I even do this? 

• Am I fooling myself? 

• Am I even good?

(It’s funny how quickly that escalates.)

I think it’s important to be able to take your work seriously. But what if I was able to separate the idea of BEING good (and being worthy) from DOING good work?

So if I share a post or give a talk or do a photoshoot that doesn’t live up to my expectations, I never question my goodness. Instead I look at that specific activity as it’s own thing.

—> “That post isn’t good.”

VS

—> “I am no good.”

I am learning that good work isn’t about proving I AM GOOD over and over again. That feels exhausting and unsustainable.

And it doesn’t make sense for me to attach my worthiness to external validation (which I can’t control).

What would happen to my energy levels and ability to impact others if I gave myself the validation instead?

If I told myself I AM GOOD and then I moved on?

What would happen if every time I expressed myself I let go of “How can I be good?” and instead focussed on “How can I be of service?”

Then no matter how well a post does, I don’t question my core. I don’t run away and hide. I don’t need a hiatus from social media to lick my wounds.

Instead, I look at that single post and ask, “Could I refine the message to make it better next time?”

If not, then let’s move on.