need confidence

Sandy,

It sounds like you have already done enough assessment of your 'strengths and weaknesses' and have a good understanding of all that.

So, you are already a step ahead of my recommendation. You just need to find the right niche where you'll thrive.

So, yes...use Gordon's wonderful information to just zero in on what that is. You're on your way to deepening your self discovery in a meaningful way.

Did you ever take a Performax Personal Profile? With reading your self description, you would be a high "C" type...or similar to Hippocrates 'melancholic' temperament.

It's definitely believable that you are a creative. So, you are on the right track. Creatives don't work well as routine practitioners or managers and aren't the typical 'worker bee'. They desire autonomy and are responsible and don't need someone looking over their shoulder. They ARE loners and work well in solitude. Right on!

But they also really need the fellowship and companionship of others who REALLY understand them. In the middle of 'like people', they even seem a bit extroverted at times when they are in their 'comfort zone' and can really fool others who see them as mostly introverted when viewing them in a less than nurturing environment.

You are in good company as a 'C'! Lots of creatives on the net. I'm right there with you!
Hang in there...
Amber

Sandy and Amber....

Thank you.... What you have been saying is FASCINATING to me....

I've never done any sort of personality test....

But Sandy, when you wrote down some of your characteristics, I thought "Wow, she sounds just like me"....

And when I read Amber's response, I thought, "Wow, that seems to describe me too!"

I also don't like having a boss. (I tried it and didn't like it.) I've noticed that a lot of my friends tend to be "creative" types (artists, musicians, cult movie-buffs, and so on....)

I do tend to have a strong "independent" streak.... I also tend to be the "loner" type in many ways....

Maybe there's a pattern here I never suspected!

Wow.... VERY interesting! :)

Sandy.... I hope you stick around, and you too Amber! :)

I'm learning lots too!

Cheers :)

Dien

P.S. Sandy, regarding Gordon's materials, I find them very useful.... It's good to help putting your life in context, I feel. I was a big fan of his a long time before we started working together on this "Joint Venture".... Gordon is really pretty wise, so no matter how strongly he may protest against that claim, don't listen to it! ;)

Dien,
One more reason to thank you for giving those of us in that 'category' another 'gathering place' on the net where we feel comfortable enough to discuss these kinds of things. Bravo!
Amber

> Sandy and Amber....

> Thank you.... What you have been saying is
> FASCINATING to me....

> I've never done any sort of personality
> test....

> But Sandy, when you wrote down some of your
> characteristics, I thought "Wow, she
> sounds just like me"....

> And when I read Amber's response, I thought,
> "Wow, that seems to describe me
> too!"

> I also don't like having a boss. (I tried it
> and didn't like it.) I've noticed that a lot
> of my friends tend to be
> "creative" types (artists,
> musicians, cult movie-buffs, and so on....)

> I do tend to have a strong
> "independent" streak.... I also
> tend to be the "loner" type in
> many ways....

> Maybe there's a pattern here I never
> suspected!

> Wow.... VERY interesting! :)

> Sandy.... I hope you stick around, and you
> too Amber! :)

> I'm learning lots too!

> Cheers :)

> Dien

> P.S. Sandy, regarding Gordon's materials, I
> find them very useful.... It's good to help
> putting your life in context, I feel. I was
> a big fan of his a long time before we
> started working together on this "Joint
> Venture".... Gordon is really pretty
> wise, so no matter how strongly he may
> protest against that claim, don't listen to
> it! ;)

>I agree Amber with your observation
concerning this board. I've been all over
looking for a board such as this.

Finding this board has been a god send.
Usually I lurk and post on several different
boards and wait around for a response. Many
times the owners get involved with only
the people who've been around for awhile.

I was plesantly shocked when I got immediate
feedback and felt the positive energy of
this board I call my new home.

Amber have you done the pictogrigm thingy?
interested in yours or others insights on
the process and outcome....
talk to you soon...

Been following this thread and have been truly moved by the responses -- especially Amber. Great stuff.

And Sandy, you are not alone!!! In fact, I would venture to say that a lack of self-confidence is experienced by many of the people that frequent this board.

The difference in them and you is they don't don't want to admit it. They would rather not show "that" side of themselves. So they wear a mask that makes them look on top of things, in control, successful, sought-after, etc., etc.

Wearing masks is a very common defense to hide our insecurities and those "bad" feelings about ourselves. But the first step towards healing is admitting there is a problem.

So I say Good For You!

Listen and follow Amber's suggestions ... and any others that resonate with you. It's not something that's going to go away overnight, but you're on the right path. Good luck and God bless.

Nan




Boost your business with Copywriting That Sells!

Hi Nan,

> And Sandy, you are not alone!!! In fact, I
> would venture to say that a lack of
> self-confidence is experienced by many of
> the people that frequent this board.

> The difference in them and you is they don't
> don't want to admit it. They would rather
> not show "that" side of
> themselves. So they wear a mask that makes
> them look on top of things, in control,
> successful, sought-after, etc., etc.

> Wearing masks is a very common defense to
> hide our insecurities and those
> "bad" feelings about ourselves.
> But the first step towards healing is
> admitting there is a problem.

Nan, I believe you're right... In fact, to be honest, I do this (generally with people I don't know too well).... But something is making me open out -- I feel I can admit all this stuff.... :)

I think (hope) the "no insults or personal attacks" policy helps with this.... If anyone insults or personally attacks anyone here, I'll delete the message instantly.... We want this to be an open and friendly place with a "positive vibe", where people can speak freely and candidly.... :)

Thank you for sharing, Nan.... I love your insights, they are VERY true.... Yours and Amber's and Sandy's posts have really blown me away! :)

- Dien

Sandy,

Yes, I've been all over Gordon's materials. They are incredible.

It really is to your benefit to go through the process. It is a highly personal one...only you can determine how helpful it will be to you in the long run. But, I'll bet that the time you spend should ultimately yield some very valuable insights.

It could take years of searching and seeking to find, in bits and pieces, what Gordon has organized so well. Consider it a 'gift'from him.

You are fortunate that you have crossed paths with this wise gent. It should be VERY beneficial for your personal growth.

I spent years 'navel gazing' for 'answers'. I took the REALLY long way around to get to this point in my life.

I'm now way beyond deciding what I want to do when I grow up since, like it or not... I've 'arrived' at that destination. (sigh)

I only wish that I would have had the benefit of Gordon's materials 20+ years ago. I feel certain that they would have helped to keep me 'on track' and more focused.

In my life, I could really get 'scattered' since I was always so curious about EVERYTHING. But, I discounted my 'god-given talents and gifts' and went in pursuit of opportunities that didn't return any satisfaction. I had a lot of problems in staying with anything very long. I got bored.

A sidenote:Now, all these years later, I am told that I probably had ADD which doesn't always go away in adulthood.

That is why my work with the eggshells amazes me more than anyone! No one could believe I'd ever stay with anything like this for 10 years.

I actually ran from my artistic inclinations for many years because I didn't put enough importance on them. Until now. I have come full circle.

When I was in the 1st grade, I drew a picture, with crayons, of several clowns all stacked up and peeking around each other. My teacher was 60 years old. She called my mother and said that in all her years of teaching, she KNEW talent when she saw it.

Miss Winston encouraged my parents to get me into private art instruction. My clown drawing was put up in the 'special glass case' on the wall in the hallway of the school... and it stayed there until I graduated to middle school years later.

By the time I was in 2nd grade, I was embarrassed that it was 'hanging' there. I wasn't seeking fame. It set me apart and made me self conscious. Children deal with being singled out in unusual ways sometimes.

Funny thing. Those years of instruction actually dampened my love for the thing that HAD come naturally to me. I didn't want to paint landscapes and fruit! But I obeyed. Somewhere along the way, I rebelled and decided that I didn't even like art. I was probably 12.

But I did like being creative. Just not forced to paint figurines or sketch with charcoal or whatever. I wasn't any longer getting to do 'my thing'. That stayed with me and I resented, rather than appreciated the path I was pushed down.

But I was a just a little kid and saw things through very different eyes. Now I appreciate that I was given that opportunity. What a difference in the way that I view the instructions from this vantage point.

Using the urge to create with my hands is now more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. BUT, It's like I almost had to go around the world...searching high and low for 'something' that I could excel at...something that would hold my attention and also be very soul satisfying.

Yet, after all these years - and after trying everything under the sun to find that same joy that the simple designs and drawings of my youth brought me, I'm home again. Finally. And, I'm now ok with focusing more on my strengths than trying to strengthen my weaknesses.

I don't regret that I've gone in so many different directions in my life. In fact, I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to explore and have adventures that I wouldn't have had IF I had devoted my life to a singular career. I've enjoyed the search. But I no longer have to spend the hours of my life wondering what I will be when I grow up.

Now, I am considering my legacy instead. I want the next years of my life to represent who I really am. It feels good to be at this spot and look back to glean the nuggets from the journey. But, this is a time for me to fix the 'energy leaks'. Now, having purpose is more important than lots of money. There is more to life than $$$ ...as Gordon has often said.

So, using his materials for self-discovery is a wonderful thing that you can do for yourself.

Actually, there is a lot of wisdom to be mined on this board. I have a feeling that sowpub is going to be a very unique retreat as well as a place to soak up some really stimulating 'brain food'.

I'm enthusiastic about all the possibilities, aren't you? One doesn't stumble across these kind of boards very often.

Let's toast to the success of Dien and Gordon!
Cheers!
Amber