Sense of own power

A Polish woman, when she invites guests for dinner, typically says: I screwed up this cake (or meat, or fish, or whatever else is served) a bit.

Why is this? It is a proactive anticipation of failure. If a guest would by any chance say: — This cake is a little dry, she has a ready answer to it. She gave the warning. Right?

But what such a proactive anticipation of failure really is? It is about cutting yourself a slack. Letting yourself off the hook. Telling yourself, you are not that good.

Steven Pressfield says that our biggest fear is not about failure. It is about success. What is success in the end? Letting go of the old way and starting a new path. Failure is safe. It holds on to status quo. It is a proof that your cake is, indeed, a little dry. Success opens the door to the unknown. Offers a possibility to be a pastry chef. To start own restaurant. To get a Michelin star.

Success is a lot of work. It kicks your butt off the couch and makes you do things. Things you have likely never done before. Things that will be scary. Which you might fail on.

It requires a pretty decent amount of a trust in your own power to say: — I think this cake is the best one I’ve ever made. But I am merely starting on baking awesome cakes. Stay tuned.

What an amazing perspective it is. Full of possibilities. Challenges. New adventures. A cake that is a little dry makes you feel average. The best cake ever made makes you proud. And humble to see the way ahead. It makes you you. Makes you a potential success. Makes you change the status quo.