Tuesday, August 23, 2011

You do what you do

My mum is a very wise woman. One of her best pieces of advice ever? "You do what you do." Always useful in those moments when you're second-guessing yourself. Looking at everyone else. Wondering why they seem to be more popular/cool/successful than you. Slanting green-eyed looks at the person next to you. Or the one across the room. Wondering if what you're writing/saying/doing is ... enough.

You do what you do. Nobody else does what you do.

Trying to be someone or something else is never the answer. The only voice that will work for you is your voice. Have confidence in that voice.

Stop comparing. Stop contrasting. Focus on making what you do the best that you can do.

Or, as Melinda Schneider sings, "Be yourself. Everybody else is taken."

It's great advice. It works. In writing, in blogging, in life.

[image: via weheartit]
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36 comments:

  1. Mum on the RunAugust 23, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    I know I'm going to be a grown up one of these days. I'm saying things like "I am what I am" and "I can only do what I can only do" more and more often.

    I think "You do what you do" is in the same vein.

    Live and let live.
    Blog and let blog.

    Ok. End of cliches.
    :-)

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  2. Mrs CatchAugust 23, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Well said!

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  3. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Word.

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  4. CateAugust 23, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    "Stop comparing" - that's very brilliant advice!!
    xxxCate

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  5. TraceyAugust 23, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Fantastic! So true ... I really need to remember it's OK to be one-of-a-kind more often! :)

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  6. Diminishing LucyAugust 23, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Oh, your Mum is a wise one.

    I have to remind myself of this a lot.

    Was it Eleanor Roosevelt who said "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent"?

    Or on a more pop note, when I am feeling like I have to compete, my brain starts singing Fleetwood Mac "♫ Go your own way...♫"

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  7. TatumAugust 23, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    "Stop comparing. Stop contrasting. Focus on making what you do the best that you can do." = words to live by. Great post. Tatum xx

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  8. JackiAugust 23, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    So true! Aren't Mums just the best for sage advice?!

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  9. Adina WestAugust 23, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    This is why I've decided to start posting recipes on my writing blog. And Seinfeldish posts about nothing much, or random household doings. Guaranteed nobody else can bring quite the brand of crazy that I can...

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  10. Adina WestAugust 23, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    This is why I've decided to start posting recipes on my writing blog. And Seinfeldish posts about nothing much, or random household doings. Guaranteed nobody else can bring quite the brand of crazy that I can...

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  11. AnonymousAugust 23, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Claps loudly. Perfectly said. xx

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  12. InkPaperPenAugust 23, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    "If you find yourself swimming along with all the other fishes, swim the other way. They don’t know where they’re going either. Read this recently at Zen Habits. Wish someone had told me this in high school

    x

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  13. Nikki @ Styling YouAugust 23, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    A wise woman that mum of yours.

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  14. Princess KateAugust 23, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Yep. Your mum is very wise.

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  15. Eden RileyAugust 23, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Hallelujah. I like your mum. And I like you.

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  16. joehAugust 24, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    Mom's do know best. Mine always said "Life's too short" as an answer to almost everything. She could have added "and it ain't getting any longer!"

    Cranky Old Man

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  17. Mrs WoogAugust 24, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Thank you! And yo mumma... Xx

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  18. MultipleMumAugust 24, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    Go the Bev. She certainly is a hard act to follow... oh... that is not what I am supposed to say is it? You rock Ying. No need for comparisons. It would drive a person mad. And that is coming from the least popular sister blogger. Lol. I don't think I got this one did I? x

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  19. BabyMacAugust 24, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    What she said.

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  20. AnonymousAugust 24, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    I agree wholeheartedly. My favourite blogs speak to me with their own voice - unpretentious, sometimes vulnerable, very real. Makes for some pretty special connections with women who I otherwise would never have met. You can't make those connections if you aren't being you.

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  21. A Farmer's WifeAugust 24, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    I loved this post.

    Thank you.

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  22. HeatherAugust 24, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Your mom is a very wise woman!

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  23. todd carrAugust 24, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    I have a favorite tank top that reads "Just be You" I like the quote you use... "Be yourself,Everybody else is taken"

    seems the simple things can be such a challenge. Thx Allison!

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  24. Diminishing LucyAugust 24, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    I just realised your comment verification thingo is no more! Yay!

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  25. MaxabellaAugust 24, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Thank golly for our mum. Permission to bumble through life doing your own thing is the best permission of all.

    x

    PS - that Coo. She is definitely the youest of all yous.

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  26. Kerri SackvilleAugust 24, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    Yes, yes and YES.

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  27. rhonda August 24, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    dude you are so smart.

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  28. Melissa {Suger}August 24, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Love. Was having a whole day of second guessing and questioning yesterday. Let myself wallow in it and sulk. This is just the reminder I needed. I knew there was something calling me to the Fibro.

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  29. UnknownAugust 24, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Wise woman, that mum of yours! One from my Nan to throw in "you only boil a cabbage once" ie when something has been said and done the once dont stew or nag over and over again :)

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  30. KevinAugust 26, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    Thanks for this. I needed that!

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  31. GAugust 27, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    You're absolutely right.

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  32. UnknownAugust 27, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Your mum IS wise. Love this. And yes, many of us spend so much time trying to be someone else. It just doesn't work.

    This is the best advice and really can lead to a happy life ;)

    xx

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  33. Princess KateOctober 13, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I needed to read this today. Except I have no idea what it is that I do. I wish I was able to describe what it is that makes me different. I just feel different. Like I don't fit in. And maybe that's good.

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  34. PatriciaOctober 14, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    A great reminder thanks. You are right too often we look at others and think why didn't I think of that or do that or maybe my blog should be this or that.. instead of what it is that makes up you. I think that's a great inspirational saying that maybe I need to taper to my monitor!

    Happy SITS day!

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  35. LBDDiariesOctober 14, 2011 at 3:51 AM

    Or, in the imortal words of Popeye the Sailor Man, "I yam what I yam and tha's all what I yam." I really liked this post. I believe it is very important to remind ourselves of this every once in awhile. Never compare ourselves to others. We are the only ones who can do what we do - I loved this post!!

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  36. Nicole@MyIdeaLifeOctober 28, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    You haven't been doing a "John Malkovich" on me and entering my brain this week have you? This post is so what I needed to read! Thank you xxx

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