Stephen Bleile

This morning I was pretty much convinced that I was a useless boob.  I was convinced that my book -my YOU CAN DO ANYTHING self-help-esque book should be retitled “Another Waste of Time by Steve Bleile”   I’ve spent most of my life considering myself to be a failure.  This would be another among many “almosts” in my trophy cabinet.

A despondent me showed up in my office at Tash’s house this morning where my astute fiancee asked me what was wrong.

I told her.

I even served God with the sentence of being cruel.  If I couldn’t finish it was HIS fault.

We prayed and I must admit something changed.

I started writing and wouldn’t you know a whole section popped up on all the adventures I’ve gotten myself into because I was almost good at something, but not quite…

I even discovered that when we can’t quite do it like we think everyone wants us to it’s because we’re unique.  Our non-perfection is actually our uniqueness and it should be celebrated.

Here’s an example:

As a musician it felt too hard to call coffee shop owners to arrange to play.  Plus, I felt discouraged at the prospect of performing for a hand-full of people.  So, with no easy alternatives in mind, I put on my own concerts seating hundreds of attendees each. Now our Alderman calls me to arrange to get me funding for future shows. I wanted to do it like you’re supposed to, I just didn’t have the confidence to call.

And another:

I tried to be a part of my community, but I could never remember when the next town hall meeting was.  I always seemed to miss the stampede breakfasts, too. So I thought i’d put on a little party.  600 people came.

I don’t know if you’ve ever felt like a failure, but maybe that’s a good place to see how unique you are?

What about other people’s failings?  What if you turn what drives you nuts into an opportunity?

Here’s an idea:  Next time you feel critical of how someone has done something consider how you would do it and realize that your unique solution probably IS better.  Then, go do it.  (Be nice, though!) Odds are that other person doesn’t like doing said task anyways; which is why they don’t do a great job.

Blue Footed BOOBie