Link to full podcast: https://soundcloud.com/heelhang/the-artists-circle-confidence
“When someone tells me "no," it doesn't mean I can't do it, it simply means I can't do it with them.” - Karen E. Quinones Miller
Prompt:
Confidence is key to many things as an artist, we know this from previous conversations, but actually feeling confident can be hard. For this week, I want to think about two things: 1. What was a time that we didn’t feel confident in our work? 2. What was something that helped us feel more confident (at any point)?
My Answer:
I sometimes don’t feel confident when I am presenting work that I feel doesn’t compare to my peers. But I always feel more confident when I remember that there is a reason that I am there… only I can deliver my work in the way that I do. I am one of a kind. Just like we all are. So I try to be my self as much as possible and honor the reason that I was asked to present work by being my most authentic self.
Your only limitations are the ones you set upon yourself. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Artists.
Social media is a double edged sword… its so great to connect and be inspired, but its also easy to feel down… you see only the polished final “sharable” examples. It can feel like everyone is out there creating masterworks all of the time… but in reality, we group all of those people together into an us vs them way.
Stop Having Such Impossibly High Expectations of Yourself.
The more you have expectations about specific details, the more likely you’re going to be disappointed. You can’t control most things, so stop acting like you can. All you can control is your attitude.
Take Breaks.
Its easy to become burned out and overly critical when we don’t take breaks and mix it up.
Join/start a Critique Group.
This can be really hard, but I think just like with any type of art, it’s really important to see your work from other’s viewpoint.
Put your art out there.
JUST. MAKE. MORE. And show it to people! Take all the reasonable opportunities to showcase your work, you will only get better and more practiced at it. And, more specifically, make it easy on yourself… not everything is a demo reel, a lot of our confidence comes from learning how to execute our work well, so set yourself up for success.
Don’t be afraid of rejection.
Rejection is just when your offering isn’t exactly what so one else is looking for. Not to say its bad, or you are not worthy… its just not quite right. The more rejection you get, the more acceptance you’ll also get! It may take 10 no’s for every yes.
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