How To Leverage Your Creative Fears

Once you have acknowledged that you even have fears surrounding your creativity and can understand that as part of creative beings…fears are actually something we *create*, it’s time to begin to understand, address, and leverage these fears.

And I’m going to say this now, early on….

Fear never goes away.

Don’t let that scare you away because you can learn how to leverage your fear to help you be more creative.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Become aware of your fears.

• Take specific steps to deal with them.

• Leverage their power when your fears arise.

Sure…you are thinking….that’s easier said then done.

Yes, I know.

So knowing that your feelings of fear ARE going to be there and they are going to keep coming back…. you can condition yourself to persevere in the face of fear and continue to believe in your power to overcome them. (Even if you have to fake it.)

Seven steps you can take to leverage your creative fears to be productive:

1. Name it.

Choose one fear you have and call it what it is. Say to yourself, “I”m afraid to approach Gallery X because I don’t think my work is good enough“.  OR,  “I don’t want to audition for the role because I don’t like being rejected“. Your fears here are being good enough and rejection.

There. We said it. Now, move forward. (If you need names for your fears, check out this list of common creative fears)

2.  Own it.

Yes, that’s right…list all the real reasons why this fear (in our example its being good enough) is real. Think about what has happened in the past that supports this idea of “not being good enough”.  Explain to yourself why this feels like the truth. (Note here I said “feels” and not “is”)  Own up to how this fear has come to be a part of you. Think about everything from childhood to today.  Uncover every reason and experience that “proves” this fear as truth.

3. Disprove it.

Now that you can “prove” why this fear is your truth, now it’s time to disprove it as absolute and utter nonsense. It’s time to face the fear and push past it. This time, think and list out all the successes you have had. Especially focus on times when you HAD to do something despite a fear. Conjure up times that you have faced a fear (oh, you sure have!)and persevered. From childhood through today, prove to yourself you have succeeded despite a fear and you HAD to act regardless of your fears. Make yourself a list of accomplishments and in the next column the fear and then list the positive result that came from doing it anyhow. Come up with at least 5 successes on this list.

You have had the taste of success and you have faced fear and you HAVE overcome it. You have it within you. You just need to continue to tap into your courage and take your successes to led the charge.

4. Claim it.

Decide to be courageous. Face that fear and look it in the eye and claim what you want while leaning into it. Build your confidence in facing this fear because you know you have done it before and can do it this time. Remind yourself down darn important this is to who you are!

Say loud and clear, “So what if I am afraid of __________________, I’m going to do it anyway.”

This way you acknowledge that the fear is still there…but you don’t let it prevent you from taking action.

5. ACT on it.

This is essential. While you are empowered with your past success and have confidence, do one thing to move you in a direction toward your goal. Yes, see that fear (hello, are you STILL here?) and take a small step that you CAN do.

Each time this will become easier.

And when that fear raises its ugly head, tell it you are going to use it to get something you really want. This fear wants to keep you where you are. Are you going to let it? Nope..you are going to push past it and get something that you really want. Stay focused on the end result and don’t delay ACT.

6. Acknowledge it.

Pat yourself on the back for being courageous and doing something scary. Ask yourself was it really as bad as I imagined?  Maybe it was and then celebrate that you still did it! Maybe it wasn’t and acknowledge that you created it into the big-fear-monster it was.Either way, give yourself credit for honoring yourself and moving your creativity forward.

This is the time to be jumping up and down!

7. Repeat it.

Remember what I said, fears never go away? It’s true. Use your successes to remind yourself you can keep leveraging your fears. Make a strong commitment to your creativity and trust in yourself that taking risks can only create more confidence and that  you ARE getting stronger than your fears.

Now, tell me… how are you going to face your fears TODAY and what one thing can you do to leverage this fear?

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