Every time I hand over a project a part of me internally squirms. What if nobody likes it? What if it’s really bad, meaning I am actually really bad and now everyone will know instead of it being a secret. Hands sweating, mind rationalising I send my line manager a link. “Hi, project is up online, you can check it out.” ENTER.
And all I want to do is explain away every mistake I’ve made. I want to say, “Oh, that blue wasn’t good. Well I figured they wanted something darker. Oh, you don’t think I should have done that? I wasn’t going to, then I changed my mind.” It’s a dark and dangerous game, but mostly it’s a vulnerability game. Constant insecurity about your work can cause creative paralysis and make it difficult to remain motivated.
I have to try. I have to put myself out there and I have to be confident about what I deliver. It’s not easy as anyone doing something creative knows. Unfortunately there is no quick fix for developing confidence and purpose in your work. There are a few exercises that can help to get you on the right path though.
Learn a skill outside of your comfort zone
If you’re a designer, try carpentry. If you are a painter, try cooking. So many times we become stuck in a rut of what we are doing for our everyday that we forget to relax and enjoy just being creative.
Stepping outside of your creative zone and trying a new skill can have a positive impact on your confidence. You never know, some of your passion from the one area may transfer to the other. Trying something new always helps you to come up with fresh ideas and fresh perspectives.
Challenge yourself: Do an online tutorial course on something you are passionate about and see where it leads.
Checklists
Checklists are just another way of making goals, lots of lists checked off lead to a successful end product. Nemko wrote in Psychology Today: “Knowing you’ll remember everything will free-up the brain space to use your creativity…safely.”
Even though checklists feel like a bore – more things to get done – they actually make you feel good about yourself when you tick off items and accomplish tasks. This helps your confidence and it helps you make sure you do the job throughly and don’t forget anything.
Add Rewards
A day can seem very long without a lunch break. A task, especially if you don’t enjoy it, can seem very, very long. Give yourself rewards. I like to say if I work on something until it is done then I can do something I enjoy more. Or, alternatively I can get up and have that cup of coffee and slice of carrot cake.
Creating a reward system locks your attention on a task and creates an environment conducive to focus.
Create a flexible work process
Work can feel very unstructured if you are anything like me. I throw myself in and do what I feel like. There is no process and there is definitely not enough automation. Creating a process can make sure that your creative projects are more methodical and less hit and miss.
If we mess up or feel “blocked” then we can always fall back on our process.
Challenge Yourself: Build a daily creative practice and keep a record of everything you do each day.
Build Good Habits
When you eat well, choose to keep a positive attitude, exercise and spend time with quality people you are adding good habits to your life.
Good habits make for a happy, healthy and balanced life. Small habits can add structure and intention to your day. Read your Bible and learn what God has to say about who you are; as a consequence your confidence, peace and sense of worth will increase.
In summary, I reckon it would be fair to say we all struggle with creative confidence in some way. Don’t let the struggle get you down. Learn quick and work hard, you’ll be fine my creative friends.