Creativity: Master the Mindset
Photo by Kelli Tungay on Unsplash
Just like everything else, creativity is a battle of the mind. We psyche ourselves out more often than we might realize.
Have you ever thought something like this before?
I’m not good enough.
What I produce isn’t important.
I’m not creative.
No one will listen to/look at/buy/appreciate what I can make.
Me too!
Even today, this little voice pops into my head, telling me that I’m not good enough and that what I produce isn’t worth people’s time. But then I share my work with people I trust, and they let me know that it’s better than I think.
A lot of people will say to replace that negative thought with a positive thought, but I encourage you to replace negativity with something that’s both positive and true.
Here are some positive and true affirmations that I remind myself of regularly.
Negative: It will suck.
No, I am a competent writer, and my audience connects with the message I have to share.
Negative: It has all been done before.
Yes, but not by me. My perspective and take on (insert subject) will be new and insightful to my audience.
Negative: No one will read this.
Someone will. My work won’t be for everyone, and that’s okay. The people who are supposed to read/see/use/interact with this will.
I acknowledge the kernel of truth at the center of the negative thought and give the positive truth to counter it.
Reflection
1. Write down some of your consistent negative thoughts.
2. Then take the time to write positive and true affirmations to counteract those negative thoughts.
3. Stick your affirmations somewhere you’ll see them: your phone or computer background, on your mirror or your fridge, or on your desk, or anywhere else where they’ll be seen regularly.
Now, here’s the hard part:
4. Read your affirmations every day. Every. Single. Day. Repeat them to yourself and begin rewiring those parts of your brain that house negativity and negative self-talk.
You can do this!
