too hung up on being "original"?

[openyourize]

I have a gazillion ideas on what I want to do with my life, but I often feel like I am being held back by lack of originality. Any and everything I do has to be completely new, unique and original.

I don't know if this is an ego thing, or it is a subconscious fear of the competition. Or is it a healthy drive for success? For instance, I think I could write a great self improvement blog, but what could set it apart from the rest?

But even in little things, like I have to wear an outfit unlike anyone would ever dream of wearing. Or if I get a dog, it has to be a breed that no one else I know has.

Anyone else find themselves dealing with this issue?

[Apollia]

I noticed your age and astrological sign on your MySpace page. Were you born close to Oct. 26th, or perhaps close to November 18th?

I have an astrology hobby, so I'm just curious as to whether you have a Mercury/Uranus conjunction or a sun/Uranus conjunction, since both those aspects are associated with a desire/tendency to be unique and original.

I might be completely wrong, but, I just wanted to ask so as to see if this guess is correct or not. I'm guessing Oct. 26th is closer.

Anyone else find themselves dealing with this issue?

Well, I sometimes do get some pleasure out of being shocking/non-conformist, but I don't go out of my way just to be different if I'm not already. Too much trouble. I find it easier just to be myself, original/different or not.

One great thing about blogs, though, is that if you really put your personality into it and don't try write it like some kind of drab, impersonal encyclopedia article or something, it's guaranteed to be different from anything already in existence. Even if the essential messages of your posts are much the same as other blogs, the style will be all yours.

I'm reminded of a blog post I read a while ago. Is Blogging For You? | How to Make Money Doing What You Love

There's a paragraph beginning "No Competition" which may be of interest.

Best wishes,
Apollia

[Kaspian]

If wanting to be original is preventing you from doing things you want to do, see it for the creative block that it is and do those things whether you think you can produce original results or not. Allowing yourself to enjoy freely creating sets you up to do things that are a unique expression of who you are.

[openyourize]

thanks you guys, you are both right.

By the way, I am an oct 28 scorp I have an astrology hobby too and i think i have a mercury/uranus conjunction.

I was actually doing some more thought and reading on this and realized, if i focus on my true strengths, then whatever I do will be original anyway. My site can be totally different from the rest because of the content I would focus on. It wont end up seeming like a copy of steves or erins or anyone elses. In fact, the reason I love reading steve's stuff so much is because he talks so much about improving things that are my WEAKNESSES. My site would focus a lot more on communication, honesty with yourself, relationships, visualization, dream interpretation, tarot, etc. Things I feel I have mastered.

Not to mention, I have to remember that I spent 10 years in writers block, and the one thing that got me out was forcing myself to write a short story that is a piece of crap. I wasnt writing it to win a pulitzer prize, i was writing it just to write. and it was totally stupid and lame and unoriginal, but it saved my writing life.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by openyourize

whatever I do will be original anyway

Right on!

[Apollia]

Originally Posted by openyourize

thanks you guys, you are both right.

You're welcome.

By the way, I am an oct 28 scorp I have an astrology hobby too and i think i have a mercury/uranus conjunction.

Cool. Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.

I was actually doing some more thought and reading on this and realized, if i focus on my true strengths, then whatever I do will be original anyway. My site can be totally different from the rest because of the content I would focus on. It wont end up seeming like a copy of steves or erins or anyone elses. In fact, the reason I love reading steve's stuff so much is because he talks so much about improving things that are my WEAKNESSES. My site would focus a lot more on communication, honesty with yourself, relationships, visualization, dream interpretation, tarot, etc. Things I feel I have mastered.

Sounds really interesting. Good luck with it.

Best wishes,
Apollia