Recently I was invited to give a talk about my Six Favourite Books (a deliciously hard choice to make). I had to talk about the books and why I had chosen them. It was a book version of Desert Island Discs (which, if you are not familiar with this radio programme, then I order you to listen to NOW…). It sounded fun.
I like books. I’mve read more than six. I’mm quite happy giving talks. So why did I feel so nervous on my way to the event?
Because I am not an expert.
I am not a “Literary Critic”. I am not a professional “Book Person”. I found Joyce’s Ulysses boring and I loved the Da Vinci Code. I felt that I did not belong in this lofty world. I realised that, despite having written five books, I cannot, in all honesty, think of myself as a proper “writer”. So what right do I have to talk about Good Books?
I have every right.
I only realised this several minutes into my talk. I noticed that I was no longer nervous and that the audience were actually interested in what I was saying.
I had been invited to talk about my favourite books and why I liked them. I was perfectly well qualified to do that. I was not claiming to be more than I am. I was not exaggerating or imposing.
If I am ever asked to do a similar event I will be able to do it better next time; more concisely, more articulately, more professionally. But the word “amateur” derives from the word for “lover of”. It is not about being worse than professional. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur.
So here is the thing: I am inviting you to the party.
Whether you want to talk about books or do big adventures, you belong if you want to belong.
All you have to do to be an Adventurer is print business cards saying “Adventurer”. (That’s not actually true. What you really need to do is go on adventures. People often make this mistake. But if the business cards boost your self-confidence, then go for it!)
I am officially inviting you to the party. To whatever party you want. So now you don’t need to feel as though you don’t belong. Whichever world you want to be a part of: just show up. Begin. Begin to the best of your amateur ability. Love it. Work hard at it. Get better at it. But make sure you show up.
Hi,
I am a Doctor who loves to cycle. I have recently completed the first 2 years of my Medical training and have just spent the last 3 months throwing myself into the deep end of medicine trying to push my boundaries to be the best that I possibly can be in my career.
Of recent weeks I have felt that sensation transform into other areas of my life too. I would like to share on this site before I share with anyone else that I know, that I am going to cycle the world. It is a goal that I can not wait to achieve.
It is a thought that I intend to stretch beyond my front door, down the street that I have lived on intermittently since I was 5 years old, that thought will stretch over many many roads.
And I am honored to share the start point here.
My wife Gill and I will be joining the party next spring by cycling around the coast of Britain (and possibly bits of France and Ireland). We are constantly talking of our ‘big adventure’ so your post really resonated with us. Thanks for the inspiration.
This was great to read, and definitely needs to be encouraged in all aspects of life. No need to be a professional to feel included – how else does one try new things? You need to jump right in and try it, not feel intimidated, and enjoy. You really nailed this one on the head. I am going to bike across Canada this upcoming summer, and I must say, your books and talks have been a great inspiration. It will be my first BIG bike adventure!
Good luck!
That is interesting. I was talking to an artist who said to me that they decided after art college they would run a business first (in eco design) and then after they would do art. However, it turns out all the experience from their business came into practice in their art anyway. Nevertheless the artist was quick to point out that there should never be a feeling of ‘having to catch up’ if you wanted to continue doing art again, you should just start doing it, everything you have ever done will feed into it anyway, and the same goes for ‘adventures’.
Would have been very interested to hear you (or anyone, really!) talking about books they are passionate about … But the crucial question: What six did you choose?
Thanks
[…] A while ago I was asked to give a talk about six books that meant a lot to me. I was excited to do this, but also nervous (hence this blog post). […]