Want to go big with your art but your self-confidence is not as strong as you would like? This is when fear shows her ugly head and your inner critic keeps asking you if you are good enough.
Here are a few tips to make this a bit easier…
1) Know your goals and think long term
Knowing where you want to go is your roadmap for success. Don’t just think about tomorrow also think about your long term success. It is important you have a star on which to plant your dream.
2) Self-talk
The words you use to describe yourself and your art also describe your future. The saying “Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words can never harm me” is false. Words do harm…they actually can destroy.
It isn’t just the words said by others but it is the words you say to yourself. We are our own worst enemy and it needs to stop. You want to succeed so changing your-self talk is huge…huge!
3) Affirmations
I have affirmations on sticky notes all over my house. I see them every day…putting on my make-up and when I go to bed…affirmations are part of my daily life. They remind me of where I want to go and who I want to be.
4) Write a list of what you are proud of accomplishing
There are many things you forget you have done because life goes so fast. This list should include simple yet meaningful things. Your list may be short or it may be long but when you are finished read it and I bet you will be surprised at what you have accomplished.
5) Create personal boundaries
Are you the type of person who says yes to all the jobs the art society needs done? Do you say yes to things that take too much time away from your art? STOP! Does this mean you say no to everything? Not in the least…it means you are selective and do only the things that mean something important to you.
Do more of what makes you happy…this is your life so make it what you want.
6) Take care of yourself
You can’t be a successful artist if you don’t take care of yourself. Eating well, going on walks in nature, resting, taking time to read a good book adds up to a happy person. With energy comes greater confidence.
7) Create a series of work
When you create a series of work your strengths and your true artistic voice and style will be visual. Seeing this is a huge confidence builder.
8) Take Action
This is a game changer. Success follows action. Without action dreams sit on the sideline of life. Action is also one of the hardest things to do because you put yourself in a vulnerable position.
This is never comfortable but the rewards are worth the effort.
9) Don’t be held back by other people’s opinion
People always seem to be extremely generous with their opinions about your art…what you should and should not do. What life boils down to is this…their opinion doesn’t matter.
What matters is what you think of yourself.
10) Fill your life with gratitude
The Dalai Lama says that developing self-confidence is simple.
Love brings self-confidence. Anger brings fear. Self-confidence comes from generosity, from thinking and caring about others
