A question

[dampscribbler]

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--"


How do I know when (or if) I am "living up to my potential"?  

I always feel like no matter what I am doing it is neither good enough nor just plain enough.  Now I'm starting to feel like maybe I'm doing too much, and spreading myself too thin, and I can't figure out whether I'm supposed to stick it out and learn how to be "better" (do more, be more, achieve more) or whether I need to draw a line and say, in the immortal (?)* words of Popeye: "I yam what I yam and that's all what I yam."

So, how do you decide?  

Thanks.

---------
* It occurred to me as I typed this that Popeye cartoons aren't on anymore, and today's generation of kids may have never heard that amazing phrase.  I feel a little sad to think about that.  

Comments

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense and gives me a context in which to think about the problem I'm having, which is hard to describe but involves a lot of worries about how I should be/am spending my time.

I don't know if I'll ever get over the belief that there's an objective standard "out there" against which I will ultimately be judged and found to have either failed or succeeded. I honestly do keep thinking that there's a "final exam." The perils of public schooling, I suppose. And even though I didn't grow up in a religious household, the belief that I would be judged at the Pearly Gates has been extremely influential throughout my life.

I'm now going to ask my "what next" questions within the context of "how will this add to my happiness, or take away from it?"

Thanks again.

[chillyrodent.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's like a cumulative exam where you're not even given study materials! No wonder you're worried!

Maybe you'll continue to journal about this journey? It sounds like an interesting thing to explore.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly. It's horribly nerve-wracking.

I will try to make a point to journal about anything noteworthy.