How Valuable Is Second Guessing?

[image error]




I've been holding onto the following quote for a long time, wondering at how true
it is, or isn't.

when you feel insecure about something you are doing
… that vulnerability means that you are doing the right thing and when you watch that
… the part when you started second-guessing … that is likely the best part … same
goes for writing and photos of yourself.

It's from Raymi, and you
can read the full interview with her here.



Here's my difficulty: I've always admired the people who know exactly what it is they're
about, or what they want to do. And whatever IT is, IT powers (or overpowers) everything
else, any other disappointments or losses. IT offers meaning, and there's no second-guessing
as to the meaning of IT.



Raymi refers to second-guessing as something related to vulnerability—and true, it's
necessary to face vulnerabilities or fears in connection to creative work. (Think
of The
War of Art by Steven Pressfield.)



But does second-guessing always mean vulnerability, though? Sometimes second-guessing
is about challenging yourself—to have humility and to realize you need to improve
and grow.




How can we distinguish between second-guessing that is valuable, and second-guessing
that is wheel spinning?



What's your take on this?

[image error]