What it Feels Like

Premises

  1. There are no mistakes, only choices.
  2. No action is morally neutral.
  3. Exceptional is good enough; average is failure.
  4. I have the potential to be exceptional.
  5. I cannot be exceptional enough.
  6. Each failure makes the world slightly worse.
  7. No failure can be completely forgiven.

Conclusions

  1. Every action is likely a moral failure.
  2. Every failure causes permanent damage to the world.
  3. No failure is excusable.

Premises

  1. Every action is likely a moral failure.
  2. Every failure causes permanent damage to the world.
  3. Failing at a responsibility carries greater moral weight than failing at a non-essential action.
  4. I have had several important responsibilities in my life.

Conclusions

  1. The fewer responsibilities, the fewer chances for moral failure.
  2. I have caused significant damage to the world.

Premises

  1. Every action is likely a moral failure.
  2. I will be judged based on the morality of my choices.
  3. If I am judged and found inadequate, I will be rejected.

Conclusions

  1. Every responsibility adds greater risk of rejection.
  2. In the end, I will be rejected.
  3. In the end, I deserve to be rejected.

How it Really Is

  1. My best effort does not guarantee a good result.
  2. Not all failures are moral failures.
  3. The same moral code that applies to everyone else applies to me.
  4. I am unique in some ways and average in others.
  5. Good enough is good enough.