The power of positivity

“Confidence isn’t optimism or pessimism, and it’s not a character attribute. It’s the expectation of a positive outcome.” — Rosabeth Moss Kanter

This week’s discussion is about the power of positivity.  I like to think that I am (mostly) a more positive person.  A glass fuller type, rather than the half empty and I tend to bring this to most of my mindset. 

I do however have self-doubt, and I can at times talk myself out of tasks or even trying something.  These past few years I have been working on this, especially with my creative side.  I find myself doubting my ability and this can be self-limiting at times.  I compare my work to others and then I feel a little inadequate, which unfortunately, then limits my ability to learn and grow.

Last week I saw an invitation from my favourite nursery who were offering a small workshop to learn to draw.  I decided to take up the opportunity and spend a few hours to learn and develop this art form.  I made the decision that I was going to go with an open mind, without the self-doubt and stating that I “couldn’t draw”.  I decided to be curious and sit, listen and trial this technique.

Guess what!  This enabled me to sit quietly for over two hours and walk away with a very good start of a drawing!  I surprised myself and I was so excited that I went out that afternoon and shouted myself a new pencil set to continue trialling further attempts.

It has now been four days since that initial drawing attempt and whilst I have not opened the new set of pencils yet – they are sitting on my office table waiting for me, along with the drawing and notes from the day.  My granddaughter went shopping with me last week and I purchased a new set for her to use at our home, so there is always another day that I can draw and spend some time getting to practice.  I loved how the instructor stated that each drawing has an “ugly” period, and we need to embrace that and sit with it.  It sounded like great advice, just like we expect our clients to sit with their discomfort at times.

I am going to challenge myself, to spend at least an hour each week with my pencils and drawing pad.  To explore what can happen when I practice and experiment with the colours, tones and techniques.  I may in fact be pleasantly surprised, like last week!