Book CLUB 01: Fear of Putting Yourself Out There

When I was younger, I thought that if I just put myself out there, people would love me and my work, I would be discovered, and then I'd have it made. That hasn't worked out the way I planned.

I have been listening to my own excuses, my own fears to hold myself back for some past years. But you can see I'm putting myself out there anyway.

"Show Your Work" was the kick I needed!

More than anything else, I felt really validated as I read Kleon's Show Your Work. This book helped me to realize that what I’m doing DOES have value and I appreciate the author reminding me of this!

So here are some of the takeaways from the book that can help you.

1. You don't have to be a genius.

Good work isn't created in a vacuum. Creativity is always, in some sense, a collaboration. Be an amateur – pursue your work in the spirit of love. Embrace uncertainty and the unknown. Read obituaries. Thinking about death makes me want to live.

2. Think process; not product.

Audiences long to be creative and part of the creative process.Document what you do. Share your process. Turn the invisible into something other people can see. Start a work journal. Keep a scrapbook. Shoot video of you working. Take photographs of your work at different stages.

3. Share something small every day.

Focus on days. Don't show your lunch or your latte; show your work. Find the time in the cracks between the big stuff. Anything you post to the internet becomes public. Share work that you want feedback on, but not everything. Ask yourself "So what?" Is it helpful/interesting?

4. Open up your cabinet of curiosities.

Your influences are worth sharing. Be open and honest about what you like, to connect with people who like those things too. Have the courage to celebrate the things you enjoy. Give proper credit. Provide context, link back to the source.

5. Tell good stories.

What you say about the work you do affects how people value it. The structure is everything. Keep your audience in mind. Speak directly, in plain language. Be brief. Use spell-check. Story structure: past (where you've been, what you want), present (where you are now), future (where you are going).Tell the truth with dignity and self-respect. Keep bios short and sweet. (2 sentences) Just state the facts.

6. Teach what you know.

Share your trade secrets. Out teach the competition. Share your reading list, helpful reference materials. Create tutorials. Use pictures, words, videos. Take people step-by-step through part of your process.

7. Don't turn into human spam.

Be thoughtful. Be considerate. Be a connector. Be someone worth following. Do good work. To be noticed, notice. To be interesting, be interested. Use the Vampire Test: avoid anything that drains your energy. Identify your real peers (similar mission, mutual respect). Nurture your relationships with these people. Turn your online friends into "real life" friends. Meet up.

8. Learn to take a punch.

Be ready for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Relax and breathe. (Practice meditation.)Put out a lot of work, keep putting it out there. Roll with the punches. Keep moving. Every criticism is an opportunity for new work. Protect your vulnerable areas. If it's too sensitive, keep it hidden. Keep your balance. Work is something you do, not who you are. Stay close to family, friends, people who love you. Don't feed the trolls (people who just want to provoke you). Delete nasty comments. (or turn comments off completely)

9. Sell out. (It's ok to make money.)

Don't be jealous when the people you like do well. Celebrate their victory as if it's your own. Be open about your process. Connect with your audience. Ask your audience to support you by buying what you sell. Keep a mailing list. Collect email addresses.

10. Stick around.

Persevere, regardless of success or failure. Just keep going. Avoid stalling out by never losing momentum. Use the end of one project to light up the next one. Go away so you can come back. Separate your work from the rest of your life. Don't be content with mastery. Have the courage to rethink. Begin again! Become an amateur (return to step 1)

Tell me, where are you playing small or hiding when it comes to putting yourself out there?

Which tip spoke to you the most?

When you’ve felt afraid of getting out there, what has helped you overcome your fear?

Leave a comment below.