Ahh, the pain and stress of tests. I suffered this "ailment" and have never quite grown above it as much as I would want to. While I don't usually take tests anymore, the anxiety of "being tested" sometimes appears before a presentation to an influential audience or an interview for a job or contract. In contrast to those dreadful college tests where one had to memorize the material and regurgitate it accurately back on a paper with a clock ticking over your head, these modern, "adult" tests are supposed to be on stuff I know well. And not only knowledge but enthusiasm for the subject matter. Preparing for these tests is an intellectual exercise (making sure I have the facts and am ready for the tough possible questions) and an emotional preparation, where I prepare to show my passion and enthusiasm for the subject at hand.
Daydreaming or mentally preparing for the "test" is a big part of making, whether I'm making an object, a manuscript, a presentation, or a big decision. Yes, there may be stress and ups and downs, even dark thoughts about inadequacy or the ever-present possibility of failing. But in the end, if I have pondered enough about the endeavor's worthiness, it is no longer about failure or success. I believe that we should not be measured—by ourselves or others—by our failures but by our unwillingness to try.
I can't often separate failure and success because they are intermingled, whether I consider my professional life, personal life, career choices, or the things I tried to do or make that came out differently than what I wanted or imagined. I'm still learning to trust my instincts, do my research, think long and hard about the options and alternatives, and try the idea. Failure is not a loss but a set of lessons learned and experiences that will help me decide on my next steps.
Ahh, the pain and stress of tests. I suffered this "ailment" and have never quite grown above it as much as I would want to. While I don't usually take tests anymore, the anxiety of "being tested" sometimes appears before a presentation to an influential audience or an interview for a job or contract. In contrast to those dreadful college tests where one had to memorize the material and regurgitate it accurately back on a paper with a clock ticking over your head, these modern, "adult" tests are supposed to be on stuff I know well. And not only knowledge but enthusiasm for the subject matter. Preparing for these tests is an intellectual exercise (making sure I have the facts and am ready for the tough possible questions) and an emotional preparation, where I prepare to show my passion and enthusiasm for the subject at hand.
Daydreaming or mentally preparing for the "test" is a big part of making, whether I'm making an object, a manuscript, a presentation, or a big decision. Yes, there may be stress and ups and downs, even dark thoughts about inadequacy or the ever-present possibility of failing. But in the end, if I have pondered enough about the endeavor's worthiness, it is no longer about failure or success. I believe that we should not be measured—by ourselves or others—by our failures but by our unwillingness to try.
I can't often separate failure and success because they are intermingled, whether I consider my professional life, personal life, career choices, or the things I tried to do or make that came out differently than what I wanted or imagined. I'm still learning to trust my instincts, do my research, think long and hard about the options and alternatives, and try the idea. Failure is not a loss but a set of lessons learned and experiences that will help me decide on my next steps.
Carlos