Which First: Know Your Role or Know Your Limits?

Wes Kriesel
Jul 21, 2017 · 3 min read

I’m two thirds of the way through the 90-day writing challenge that I set up for myself and this week….well, I’m failing. I only wrote twice in the last five days. That’s less than 50% of the goal I set out for myself.

Maybe: I’m not a writer.

Maybe: I’m a writer but I ran out of material.

Maybe: I’ve written enough; the universe is telling me the book is complete.

Maybe: I’m lazy.

Maybe: I’m tired; it’s summer, and it’s been warm. I’m not sleeping well lately.

Maybe: I’m distracted.

Photo by Felix Kayser on Unsplash

What do I do with this failure? “Know your role” is a saying my kids throw around, much like “Stay in your lane” which means that someone is trying to cross boundaries they shouldn’t — fighting someone bigger than themselves, trying to take on someone or punk someone who is higher up on school’s social hierarchy. What’s this translate to as an adult? Trying to play in the big leagues? Taking on a project that’s too ambitious for my skill set, knowledge-base, or endurance? In this case, no one is telling me I can’t write a book — of course, I’m not at AWP touting my unfinished manuscript as the next great American tome (AWP, that’s the annual conference associated with Association of Writers & Writing Program — you’d know things like that if you were married to a writer).

What about “Know your limits?” That’s a phrase that resonates oddly right about know. We may use it in our culture about consuming alcohol, or maybe it refers to people who can’t say ‘no.’ Maybe I should have said no to this project? Maybe I should know when to quit.

Another interpretation, that I would argue is more helpful and healthy: know yourself. Let’s reflect.

  • Why did I set this goal?
  • What is the significance of the goal beyond the surface level examination?
  • On a scale of 1–10, how does the resistance or reluctance to move forward measure up against my greatest struggles in life? Why? What does that mean?
  • On a scale of 1–10, how does the resistance or reluctance to move forward measure up against the greatest struggles anyone has encountered in life? Why? What does that mean?
  • How badly do I desire to achieve this outcome? How bad do I want it? Um, scale of 1–10, for consistency.
  • What resources (including a break or additional time) do I need to achieve my goal?

People, what other questions should I ask myself in this situation to figure out — or what questions would you ask yourself in a similar situation to assess — if you should keep moving forward with a project, in a career path, or in life? I already have additional clarity by writing this post. Oh yeah, that is part of my response to “Why did I set the 90-day writing goal?” in the first place — to achieve greater mental clarity through writing.

I’m on the path. See you in the next post.

Photo by Lawrence Walters on Unsplash

Troops and Tribes

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Wes Kriesel

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Innovating in Fullerton & beyond. Photographer. Runner & fundraiser for clean water with Team World Vision.

Troops and Tribes

Improve the Future

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