This is my last week of dress-rehearsal practice before an annual figure skating competition next Saturday. As you can imagine, it's a stressful time for me. Like many writers I'm an introvert--I don't particularly enjoy performing for an audience (though I do enjoy the skating itself). The only reason I push myself to enter at least one competition a year is to give myself a tangible goal with skills to work towards. Each year, I try to either add new elements to the program, or work on weaknesses I want to improve. It really does help me move forward, and I like that aspect of it.
So I was surprised this week when not once, but twice--one day with a coach and another day with a family member--I was told the following after I'd shown the program to them: "Why aren't you more confident in yourself? Be confident! You have every right to be."
This is so true--not just for me, but for all of us less confident types who work steadily towards our enjoyable goals. There is absolutely no reason for us not to believe in ourselves, that we will do as beautiful a job as we can at that moment in time. Even if the unforseeable happens and we do make a mistake--then that's okay, too. Every masterpiece has its flaws, after all. What is most important is that we keep the love. It's also helpful to let go of the outcome.
So that's what I'm focusing on for the week ahead. Please wish me luck! :)
