In our search for perfection, many of us end up finding comfort, stagnancy, and mediocrity.
Every time you speak up or have a public “aha” moment purely for validation purposes, your creative expression takes a hit!
Creativity is a muscle: the more you use it, the better it gets!
“As long as you look for someone else to validate who you are by seeking their approval, you are setting yourself up for disaster. You have to be whole and complete in yourself. No one can give you that. You have to know who you are — what others say is irrelevant.”― Nic Sheff
If you fear the unknown and can’t make a decision to get started, just choose to take the smallest step towards becoming a better version of yourself.
Seth Godin says: “….an enemy of fear is creativity. Acting in a creative way generates action, and action persuades the fear to lighten up.
Stop questioning yourself
“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent Van Gogh
Highly prolific creators don’t worry about everything being perfect.
They are too busy creating getting stuff done.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you can’t do — especially yourself.
Stop listening to everyone else.
The world is waiting for you to start something.
Waiting to hear what you have to say.
Waiting to use your creative product or service.
Waiting to share your ideas and original work.
Remember the dream you were too scared to chase? It’s still not too late to give it a try.
We tend to think that we’re not good enough, and give up before we even start.
The self-criticism and self-doubt will always be present, and the only solution is to just act in spite of them.
Your first ebook, article, song, podcast, freelancer work or creative work will never perfect, and it’s okay.
When we express ourselves in a way that brings out the best in us, we’ve already succeeded.
Step by step we improve.
That’s what matters.
It matters that you persist.
Give yourself permission to screw up.
Your next action after you fail is always a defining moment. Make the most of it and keep moving.
Successful creators are not afraid to try again. They keep going, even when it’s not working.
Rather than accept defeat, they learn how to pivot, and what to reinvent.
All of your creative experiences and mistakes are relevant to your next pursuit or piece of art.
Every action is a learning experience.
And every experience matters!
Find your voice and use it
True creators of any kind must find their voice and freely express themselves.
We are writers, entrepreneurs, designers, programmers, parents, builders of anything.
But unfortunately we are not truly expressing ourselves, until we’ve found our voice: the tone, style, personality we use to express ourselves.
You don’t embark on a quest to find your authentic self just for the sake of knowing what you are capable of.
You must actively use your potential to fully express yourself.
Use your craft to help others, to change the world, make a dent or leave a legacy.
Experiment boldly
Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.” — Cadet maxim
Study the greats.
Read their biographies or autobiographies. Learn the good and know the bad. How did they work?
What were their successful routines?
Try and err.
Most people don’t express themselves enough to get good at what they do, and so have low volume of work to know what works and what doesn’t.
Picasso was exceptionally prolific throughout his long lifetime. The total number of artworks he produced has been estimated at 50,000, comprising 1,885 paintings; 1,228 sculptures; 2,880 ceramics, roughly 12,000 drawings, many thousands of prints, and numerous tapestries and rugs.
And there are about 870 paintings by Vincent van Gogh existing today. His earliest date from 1881 and the latest from July, 1890.
Aim at total self-expression.
Create a lot, launch your ideas, write posts, take many shots, practice more than your strongest competitor.
Most of what you do may suck, but you need the bullshit if you want to find your authentic self.
Jeff Goins says:
“Forgive yourself when you create something horrendous (because you might). Laugh at yourself. This is all part of the process. It’s called “practice” for a reason. See it for what it is, and embrace this time of not-good-enough to get better.”
Don’t hold back
Unleash your inner genius!
At first it may seem difficult and it may feel like you are not creative at all, because you have been suppressing your creative skill for so many years.
But we need you to contribute.
Even if you suck in the beginning, commitment to the process will keep you going.
That commitment will soon lead to better art.
Spend your life building your body of work.
We need it.
We are waiting for you to show up. Engage today with urgency and diligence. Begin to plant seeds every day that will yield a harvest later.
Tomorrow is only an unfulfilled wish, so live and work as if today is all you have.
If you do, you will be able to lay your head down each night satisfied with your work, and in the end, you will die empty of regret, but full of satisfaction for a life well lived.
Embrace yourself for who you really are and learn to harness your creative potential to change the trajectory of your professional life.
Never miss an opportunity to show up.
The biggest hurdle for all of us is to dive into our own potential, and to see our own selves as incredibly beautiful and gifted personalities.
Everybody has a story to tell and a unique and distinct talent to share. Self-expression fulfills.
It gives others hope and faith in themselves.
So, please create! When, if not now?
The world needs more authentic creative expression from you, expression from deep within.
What you do matters, not what you think, say or plan.
Great work, like a healthy financial portfolio, takes time to mature. Your best work will emerge with patient attention, time, and strategic action.
Your creative pursuit is your gift to the world. Make a difference with your genius and your art.
Discover your genius
The Accidental Genius, my new course, launches soon. It is designed to help you discover and unleash your greatest, most powerful creative potential. It addresses the root and nature of exceptional performance. This will help you rediscover your creative genius. Sign up to be notified when it launches, and get a free copy fo my book, Start. Make. Create. Do.
Originally published at medium.com