EXCUSES, EXCUSES

Some people have trouble finishing things.

Not me.

I can finish things like a boss. My meticulous insanity nature allows me to finish most things with a detailed fashion in which Sherlock Holmes would nod in approval. Fortunately, I’ve managed to make a career out of my obsessive tendencies—cue public relations and event planning (a Type A’s wet dream).

No, unfortunately my issue lies far before final touches. Instead my Type-A perfectionist self finds challenge at the hardest and most crucial step: starting.

I map out in my head what a highly successful project should look like, down to the very last detail. Unfortunately, just before I put the pedal to the metal and dive in, I freeze. I think about all the ways it won’t match up to others who have come before me. I think, what’s the point if others have done it faster, better and more creatively?

Where this issue really becomes problematic is not in my professional endeavors (although it does happen there as well; I’m human after all), but rather in my personal ones.

A PRIME EXAMPLE

I’ve wracked my brain for about two years, waffling back-and-forth on starting my own blog.

Ask most of my friends. I’m sure they’d be happy to have a break from my pestering concerns.

Should I do it?

But what would I write about?

Do I have anything exciting to say that people will read?

The list goes on.

So, sparing you the boring self-discovery journey details (for now), I will instead share my brilliant words of wisdom: doing something solely for external approval will never bring you happiness or success internally.

Consumed with pressure to start a blog because all the cool kids were doing it, combined with the fear of making something in which others would approve seemed foolish. Validation wouldn’t lead me to a more fulfilled life.

Validation didn’t lead Tyler Oakley to his successful career, his willingness to show his authentic self to the world did.

Stefani Germanotta Lady Gaga didn’t get where she is today by conforming to typical social norms. Instead, she used her artistry and uniqueness to make her name, resulting in recently being named 2015’s Billboard Woman of the Year.

Both people I consider role models to living a fulfilled life. Both people didn’t worry about proving to others they could conform to what was expected of them. And this certainly is not uncommon when it comes to other successful people.

MOVING BEYOND MY FEARS

This is what 2016 means to me: Moving past my fear of acceptance, and doing more of what will allow me to lead a fulfilled life.

More of what will make me happy.

Because in 20 years, I’m betting I will care less about whether my peers approved of my clothes, job or car, and more about whether or not I stuck to my guns and followed a path of authentic Greg Rokisky.

So cue The Colorful Perspective as a central place of telling authentic Greg Rokisky’s story. I want to share with all of you to prove it’s possible.

To live a life fulfilled.

And if my role models can live a life fulfilled, a fellow Michigander and a woman whose journey started by performing in the NYC subway and at dive bars, then so can I.

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**NOTE: I actually took the advice from the class and used it to [finally] start my blog this year: http://thecolorfulperspective.com/the-art-of-starting/.