SELF-DOUBT: The Killer of Creativity

SELF-DOUBT - Most of us experience it at some time or other...

If you're running a business, want to speak on stage, write a book, write blog posts, paint, draw or do pretty much anything at all - those demons of doubt can creep in.

But here's the thing - that's normal. You are NOT alone.

I love the following excerpt from "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert because it shows that these feelings are wide-spread and affect the best of us.

"Let me list for you some of the many ways in which you might be afraid to live a more creative life:

Youre afraid you have no talent

Youre afraid you'll be rejected or criticized or ridiculed or misunderstood or, worst of all, ignored.

You're afraid there's no market for your creativity, and therefore there's no point in pursuing it.

You're afraid somebody else already did it better.

You're afraid everybody else already did it better.

You're afraid somebody will steal your ideas, so it's safer to keep them hidden forever in the dark.

You're afraid you won't be taken seriously.

You're afraid your work isn't politicaly, emotionally, or artistically important enough to change anyone's life.

You're afraid your dreams are embarrassing.

You're afraid that someday you'll look back on your creative endeavours as having been a giant waste of time., effort and money.

You're afraid you don't have the right kind of work space, or financial freedom, or empty hours in which to focus on invention or exploration.

You're afraid you don't have the right kind of training or degree.

You're afraid you're too fat. (I don't know what this has to do with crativity exactly, but experience has taught me that most of us are afraid we're too fat, so let's just put that on the anxiety list, for good measure.)

You're afraid of being exposed as a hack, or a fool, or a dilettante, or a narcissist. You're afraid of upsetting your family with what you may reveal.

You're afraid of what your peers and coworkers will say if you express your personal truth aloud.

You're afraid of unleashing your innermost demons, and you really don't want to encounter your innermost demons.

You're afraid your best work is behind you.

You're afraid you never had any best work to begin with.

You're afraid you neglected your creativity for so long that now you can never get it back.

You're afraid you're too old to start.

You're afraid you're too young to start.

You're afraid because something went well in your life once, so obviously nothing can ever go well again.

You're afraid because nothing has ever gone well in your life, so why bother trying.

You're afraid of being a one-hit wonder.

You're afraid of being a no-hit wonder.

Listen, I don't have all day here, so I'm not going to keep listing fears. It's a bottom-less list anyow and a depressing one.

I'll just wrap up my summary this way: SCARY, SCARY, SCARY. Everything is so goddamn scary."

When I read this, I jumped up and down because I know that so many people go through at least some ot these - and I can help.

Let's be honest here - I get them too! I think anyone who says they are totally immune aren't being totally truthful.

But I know how to deal with them and I can help you deal with them too. If you want to get your message and your work out there - if you want to make changes and live a more fulfilling life, then get in touch and let's do this together.

Let's create our own version of the 'Big Magic' that happens when you increase your courage and build your confidence.

Have a great weekend.

Big hugs

T xx