C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Dump Those Insecurities. Write That Book.

September 4, 2013 By C. Lee McKenzie 55 Comments

Thank to ALEX CAVANAUGH

Studies show that physical actions and positions can determine success and failure.  If you see successful people you often see them with open faced expressions, not those pinched ones of someone who’s worried they’re not doing the right thing, the right way. Or you see them standing tall and poised for action. They’re not hunched over, biting their bottom lip.

On those Insecure Days, (the ones I’d rather not have) I do six things. 

STOP in place. 
STAND TALL, SMILE and STRETCH out my arms with palms OPEN.
and SAY “Yes.”
Once I do that, how can I be Insecure anymore? I’ve just said YES to the universe. It does make a difference and it’s so much easier to get on with the business of writing a good book.
********
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LOOOOONG LINKY LIST
This month I’m taking a break, so if I don’t get back to you right away, it’s because 
1) I’m sleeping. 2) I’m writing 3) I’ve found that beach and am wriggling my toes in warm sand,
OR
 4) And this is the more likely scenario. . . I’m trying to sort out my life. 
I’ll check in with you more regularly when I return in October! 
What do you do when Insecurity strikes?  Do you have any quotes to inspire? Share, please. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Alex Cavanaugh, Insecure Writer

Comments

  1. M. J. Joachim says

    October 22, 2013 at 12:21 am

    What a wonderful post! Thanks, Lee ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. Hilary Melton-Butcher says

    September 21, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    Hi Lee – learning or accepting what's going on around you and not being pinched of face .. makes us so much easier to be around .. but I love your idea – I can imagine everyone's faces .. and that will make me laugh ..

    Good luck with the break and achieving those goals .. cheers Hilary

    Reply
  3. Peaches Ledwidge says

    September 20, 2013 at 12:12 am

    I hope you're on the beach and writing too. I did both.

    Reply
  4. nutschell says

    September 18, 2013 at 6:24 pm

    really inspired! I'll have to try this little technique of yours ๐Ÿ™‚
    Nutschell
    http://www.thewritingnut.com

    Reply
  5. Beverly Fox says

    September 13, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    What a great and simple tool to use to open yourself up. I'll have to try this!

    Reply
  6. Misha Gericke says

    September 11, 2013 at 11:50 am

    I like your approach. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Mainly, I remind myself of all I've achieved despite what my insecurities told me I can't do.

    Reply
  7. aman kesherwani says

    September 10, 2013 at 4:58 am

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    Reply
  8. SA Larsenใƒƒ says

    September 9, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    Saying 'yes' to the universe does sound empowering.

    Reply
  9. Talli Roland says

    September 8, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    What a wonderful post!

    Enjoy the break! I can't believe how quickly the summer went by.

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth Seckman says

    September 8, 2013 at 2:36 am

    Have a nice break. Hope you get lots of toes in the sand time and come back all sorted out.

    Reply
  11. Arlee Bird says

    September 7, 2013 at 11:08 pm

    Have a good break. Those are all important things you have on your offtime agenda.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote

    Reply
  12. Leslie S. Rose says

    September 7, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Summer went too fast for me. At least I have a new batch of cool kiddos. I love to stare at the night sky to ground myself. Venus is especially amazing right now.

    Reply
  13. Shah Wharton says

    September 6, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    I think a break ids and great idea and I hope it gets you back on track. X

    Shah X

    http://bit.ly/19mVwqD

    Reply
  14. Nick Wilford says

    September 6, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    Hope you get things sorted but with that attitude I'm sure it'll be a snap! See you soon. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  15. Mere Joyce says

    September 5, 2013 at 11:18 pm

    Enjoy your break, and keep saying YES! Sounds like a great way to stay positive in any situation, =)

    Reply
  16. DMS says

    September 5, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    Hope you are enjoying your much needed break! I love the advice you gave here and plan to try it asap. It makes sense to me. ๐Ÿ™‚
    ~Jess

    Reply
  17. Cathrina Constantine says

    September 5, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    Wonderful Advice, Lee. And you deserve a break.

    Reply
  18. Susan Oloier says

    September 5, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    You've had some tough happenings of late. I hope you find some peace in your time away.
    What an excellent observation about success! Thank you for sharing it with all of us, Lee.

    Reply
  19. River Fairchild says

    September 5, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    ooh…I'm going to do your "yes" exercise…often. Until it sinks in. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Have fun finding yourself on your break and come back even stronger than before!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      Thanks, River. Great to have your visit. I'll pop around to say hi.

      Reply
  20. Lexa Cain says

    September 5, 2013 at 6:50 am

    I hope you have a relaxing break and that sorting your life is easier than you expect. I tried your say-"Yes"-to-the-universe thing. But when I looked in the mirror, I saw the same old grumpy, worried face … and is that my hair spiking up like that? Are those food stains on my shirt? My eyes are all beady and bloodshot! Holy crap, I'm either the Hulk or an overworked writer!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:27 pm

      There. There. You need a spa day.

      Reply
  21. Julie Musil says

    September 5, 2013 at 4:38 am

    OMG I'm totally going to do that stand in place and say YES thing. Enjoy the warm sand, OR figuring out your life ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:26 pm

      Maybe I can squeeze in a bit of both. Let's see. Thanks, Julie.

      Reply
  22. Snoop Bloggy Dog says

    September 5, 2013 at 3:17 am

    Yo human, Lee!

    Y'all goin' for a dump? Thanks for reminding me! I reckon da man wont notice it on da carpet.

    Anyway, these physical actions and positions. Never mind, I was thinkin' all dirty like my weird homie, yep, Gary da man!

    "STAND TALL, SMILE and STRETCH out my arms with palms OPEN.
    and SAY "Yes." Yes, you is rejoicing in dat "IWSG" and yo daze aint so bad then. Especially when you remember what "IWSG" actually means. Well, that's what it means in the delusional world of da man, Gary. If he ever found out that it doesn't mean, "I Was Seeking Gary", he would be totally devastated.

    Y'all all enjoy that break. You hear? And y'all inspire each other. Let the positivity breed dat positivity. Can I quote my human? Yes? No? Who is he? Right then, here goes. "We are not defined by our mistakes. What we learn from our mistakes, defines us."

    Be well and smile, my human friend.

    Stay chillin',

    Snoop Bloggy Dog in da Gangsta's Pawadise!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:26 pm

      I love it when you rap with me, Penny.

      Reply
    • Snoop Bloggy Dog says

      September 5, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Ah Lee, the dawg Penny, rapping with y'all havin' a ball at da club in da hood, I understood.

      Yo and what it is!

      Penny aka Snoop Bloggy Dog! Y'all…

      Reply
  23. J.L. Campbell says

    September 4, 2013 at 11:57 pm

    Good advice, Lee. As I like to tell people, if you look good, you feel great. I strive to hang on to that, no matter what.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:25 pm

      Maybe that song, Put On A Happy Face, is right.

      Reply
  24. Cynthia Chapman Willis says

    September 4, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    I love this advice!!! Thank you!

    And I am wishing you a wonderful break full of rest, writing, warm sand, and whatever you need to sort out your life and times. Breaks can be wonderful for such things.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:24 pm

      Hi Cynthia,

      Thanks so much. Hope you're good. See you after my break.

      Reply
  25. Southpaw says

    September 4, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    I like to go for a long walk. It tends to clear up whatever is causing the interference with my brain.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      Oh yes. That's an amazing heart/mind strengthener!

      Reply
  26. Natalie Aguirre says

    September 4, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    Thanks for the inspiration. And have a great break!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      You bet, Natalie. See you soon.

      Reply
  27. M Pax says

    September 4, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    I'll have to try that when I'm having a bad day. Interesting advice.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      Great. Report back.

      Reply
  28. Catherine Stine says

    September 4, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    have fun during your break. Yes, taking the right actions is stronger than sitting around worrying.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:22 pm

      You practice that a lot, Catherine. I know that. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  29. Bish Denham says

    September 4, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    Thanks for this, Lee. I'm definitely standing with arms out, palms up and saying, "Yes."

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:21 pm

      Good for you, Bish!

      Reply
  30. Angela Brown says

    September 4, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Timing is an interesting thing. Before today, I was feeling pretty alright with a few things. A little bad news sprinkled my way has those insecurities yapping at my ankles like a manic chihuahua.

    I hope things are going well with you as you work through various aspects of life as well…and as for stretching and saying "Yes"…I'm working on it ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:21 pm

      LOL Manic Chihuahua! I can't even spell that right.

      Reply
  31. Julie Flanders says

    September 4, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    I love this idea. I'm going to try it next time I'm feeling insecure. Which if I'm being honest will probably be about five minutes from now. I've gone at least ten minutes since the last bout and I can't go much longer.

    Hope you're having a very productive break. Take care!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:20 pm

      Security is such a fleeting feeling. Give it a try. Let us know if it works.

      Reply
  32. M.L. Swift says

    September 4, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    I like that philosophy. Say "Yes" to whatever the universe has to offer. Have a good sabbatical.
    M.L. Swift, Writer

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      Saying no just makes no sense, right?

      Reply
  33. L. Diane Wolfe says

    September 4, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Smile, stretch, and say yes – what a great attitude!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      Here's to smiling!

      Reply
  34. Elise Fallson says

    September 4, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    Enjoy your break! Seriously, because it'll be over before you know it. I just got back from my break and I'm like, "What? Already?" (;
    I like your positive attitude and that is something I need to work on.
    Take care and see you in October.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:19 pm

      I know what you mean, Elise. Hope your break was wonderful!

      Reply
  35. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    September 4, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    We'll miss you this month.
    And you're right – hard to worry when you're smiling.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:18 pm

      Thanks, Alex. I'll pop in to blogs when I can. Congrats on that new website. Lovely.

      Reply
  36. Diana Wilder says

    September 4, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    I'm going to give it a try when I get to work. It may garner some really funny looks, but that's OK. It'll be worth it.

    While I hope you sort out your life satisfactorily, I do really hope that you find that beach and can wiggle your toes in the sand!

    Diana at About Myself By Myself

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      September 5, 2013 at 3:05 pm

      Packing this afternoon. Leaving tomorrow. Hope all that stretching paid off and others copied you. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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