Why I’m S*$t Scared Of Writing

I left school at fifteen years of age, and have spent all of my adult life worried that people  would think I’m an idiot. I’m dyslexic, now I’m not going to run through the list of famous  gifted folk that had dyslexia because I think they’re outliers. For every famous business  tycoon, or artist that has overcome this I believe there are many, many more people that have  found themselves paralysed by the fear of appearing stupid.

Spellcheck, and good people have helped me push past the fear of looking dumb,    although every now and then, or in new company I find myself racked with self doubt. The  point of writing this is twofold, firstly I’m hoping you’ll forgive all the errors in spelling and  grammar in this blog, secondly too show others who have felt like me that it’s okay to put  your head above the parapet.

I’ve spent a bunch of my time creating, or helping to create content for TV. A lot of that  content has been for some pretty well known current affairs shows. Working as a producer    for television helped me hide in plain site. TV being a visual medium helped me build  confidence, and a reputation. It helped me get to a point where at least some people respected what I had to offer, but it took more time than it needed.

 I came up with the idea for Imageneralist.com about five years ago, but my fear of being found out has held me back all this time. I wonder what other opportunities I’ve passed up just because I was worried what people would think of me?

This idea leads to a broader theme, fear, fear is the greatest road block in getting shit done. It could be fear of losing money, fear of standing out from the crowd, fear of looking stupid (just like me), or fear of actually being right. Sometimes being right asks difficult questions of oneself, it means you have to do something about it. You know that the world is changing, and that a job is no longer for life. You know that if you just got started on that idea it just might turn in to something.

This blog and accompanying projects is me answering some of those difficult questions of myself. Whatever comes of it at least I would of acted, and in acting you can kill fear. By confronting your fear you takeaway some of its power, little by little, baby step, by baby step, you are able to move forward.

Once I have a few more posts up on the site I promise I will get them proofed by a professional, but maybe not this one. This one can just sit there, and show that it doesn’t really matter, my spelling is not me!

Cheers @generalistalan