Something I keep catching myself doing over and over again is trying too hard to be perfect. I do it so much that it tends to kill my chances of getting what I want. For example, I recently applied for a job. I was really, really excited by the idea of working in this job, because its for a production company down in London, and even though the job won’t actually be helping out with film, it’ll be closer I’ve ever been to the industry and just to work for someone who makes films is exciting to me. But I started imagining myself as perfect for the job. I was convinced I’d be so good at the job, so punctual, such an A star colleague that I became unrealistic about who I actually am. I’m not an extraordinary human being, and people know that, because there’s no such thing as an extraordinary human being. So trying to sell myself as one is silly.

What I can do instead, is: Be realistic. Note down my real strengths, like my ability to solve problems, find the issue thats really causing the issues and bring them to the surface. And my willingness to jump right into a job, depending on what’s needed. Not make up a bunch of skills I imagine people would want in me. If I did that, I might be passing by an opportunity with someone who does want someone just like me.

One other thing: There’s nothing wrong with being nervous when you’re applying for a job you really, really want. It shows you really, really want it. I need to learn to stop myself from acting “cool” when what I really want to do is flap around like a mad woman. The nervousness escapes from me anyway and makes me look like an idiot (so I’m not “cool” at all. I think this is stretching into “another blog post” territory)