Here are some ways I use to boost my creativity and my confidence. I consider them a compass to help me navigate my creative life. These actions are valuable lessons I learned, and I am sharing them with you.
Nothing is ever perfect. The beauty is in the imperfection.
As a perfectionist who loves to be always in control, I realized that I have to let go of perfection and be confident that my work is perfect. Yes, it is contradictory, but it is a true statement, and an effective one, at least for me.
Ask the stamps collector - How valuable is the imperfect stamp? The answer is; Imperfect postage stamps are rare and worth serious money.
So Remember "Nothing is Ever Perfect"
This painting is part of the harmony collection. When I finished this painting, I felt it was too perfect. For that, I went back and smudged it in various spots to look like me, imperfect. After I smudged it, I felt that it was too perfect again. My mind was going in circles between perfect and imperfect.
I am not in a race, I am just telling my stories.
A true story is happening to every one of us, you and me.
When you binge on your social media for hours, it feels overwhelming. And you think that you are inspired. At that moment, you feel that you want to create better things, and you want to teach the world how this is done!!!
Hold your horses and think for a second. Everything you saw is driving you to make something not related to you. Don't let the wave take you where you don't want to be.
The best place for you to inspire is the inner you. From your dreams, thoughts, memories, and your goals. Let the world know you and know your stories.
Start telling your story in everything you do.
You are not in a race, just tell your story.
I balance between my Past, my Present, and my Future.
The Past
Memories are beautiful to remember from time to time. But living in the past is hard. Especially thinking about the same event, over and over.
You want to snap out of it, and you can't. Living in the past will lead you to possible depression.
You better have a good therapist. Check out my dear friend DrMarieDezelic.com website's. She has tons of information, books, and download to help you. I mean seriously! if you have depression, go see your therapist.
The Future
The unknown sometimes is scary. Tomorrow is scary because we don’t know what is going to happen.
Here is when the goal comes in handy. Focus on your goal, and the unknown will go. You will be living in the present, working on the future goal, and not on the unknown future. Without a goal, you will be scared and anxious. Focus on a goal to go to the future.
The Present
A magical moment for me; is when I am doing something, and I am surprised with the result. It is the enjoyment of the process and celebrating the result. This feeling only can happen in the present. In the present, I feel Joy and peace.
Use the past to learn. Use The future as moments of celebration to achieve your goals. And use the present to enjoy your life.
I don’t need approval. I need to be who I Am.
Critics. Oh, Critics...
Sometimes we create to satisfy that critic in our life. I’m talking about that person that has an opinion on everything you do, and you always feel the need for their approval. Those critics are overpowering you because you are giving them the power to criticize you and approve your work.
Take your power back. Be in charge. You are the powerful one, and you don’t need any approval. Be confident and give the critics permission to go and love their selves.
Just be who you are. Create from you. And Create for you.
I am a creative person
Everyone around me already knows that I am a creative person. Sometimes I need to remind myself that I am a creative person. It is not that I am doubting myself, but creativity is who I am. This is why I adopted the below rules in my life. These rules may help you in your confidence journey too.
Ways to increase your Confidence as a creative type
Create consistently. As a professional in your field, create every day for at least 3 hours. Daily actions are the key to success. Even small steps forward will be a meaningful advancement.
Compare your work to your previous work. Stop comparing your work to others. Remember that your creations are about you, and from you, They are not about others.
Start your work with joy, not with high expectations. Create for fun and satisfaction. Creating with high expectations will put pressure on you, and you will not permit yourself to create from the inside, from the inner you. Do not influence yourself to create under the pressure of judgment. That will compromise everything you do. Instead, use a limitation of tools as pressure to create. By thinking creatively inside the box, You will be more creative, and you will have more fun.
Think inside the box. Usually, creativity shows up when you have limited resources to create memorable things. Choose limited tools or ideas, and just use these tools to create with them your masterpieces.
Focus on your goal. Put your goal in front of you, and go forward. Don’t let anyone or anything separate your vision from your goal until you reach it. And then reach for another goal.
Change your negative thoughts to positive. Don’t let your thoughts control you. You control them. How? Whatever negative thought you’re having, do this; Close your eyes and see its color, then change it in your mind to the opposite color, then wrap yourself with it like a blanket. I am sure you will feel much better. Check out my course here. Sorry Coming soon ;)
Rejection is good news. The good news is you need to start connecting with new people. Not every person on earth will like you or will like your work. Just go find the people that align with your vision.
Believe in yourself. Create from the inner you, and believe that you are creating your uniqueness. Your creation is unique and valuable. Be authentic and believe in yourself.
Remind yourself of your achievements. Create an archive for the things that you do. When you are feeling down, open your archive, to see your achievements. It will give you the confidence to go forward and do more.
Be positive and start with I am Full of Confidence positive statement. Remind yourself about your confidence or invite a new confidence skill into your life.
To help you with that, I created this Confidence affirmation reminder for you. You can see it here too.