Do You Lack Creative Confidence?

JC Piech  reveals how to gain more creative confidence.

If I asked you to raise your hand if you ever feel anxious about what other people think of you, I wonder how many people would have their hands in the air right now. I would certainly have mine up alongside yours. 

It’s normal to feel unsure. Even Madonna says she stills gets nervous before going onstage. Yet for many of us this anxiety gets in the way of us achieving our dreams. Instead of it being just an uncomfortable sensation we can push ourselves through, the fear can act as a solid brick wall, separating us from our dreams.

I know what it’s like to be terrified of judgement. Whether it was over how I looked, how I spoke, what I created; there have been times when I’ve felt scared of doing anything. I was anxious over my very existence. But because my fears were so extreme, and were stopping me from functioning, I had to find a way past them. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel nervous about things; even as I type these words for you to read (Will you think I sound stupid? Will you get bored? What if my writing isn’t good enough?), but I know now that being scared of something is not an indicator of whether I’m able to do it or not. 

I was scared of what people thought of how I looked: so I signed up to become a life model at the local college. I was scared of speaking in front of people: so I started co-facilitating community workshops. I always thought my writing would only ever be a hobby: I got a content writing job with a media company. I don’t have magical superpowers! I’m a normal person. I’m like you. So, what things are you scared of doing, but are probably more than capable of?

I now run workshops for people who want to make better use of their creativity, but lack the confidence to do so. I love helping others realise their potential. It’s so amazing to see a person’s expression change as they have an insight about themselves. “Oh my goodness, I can do it, can’t I?” Yes you can! Yes, you can write that book. You can learn to draw. You can dance at that event. You can start your own business. You can be who you are. But you can’t wait until you have absolute confidence in what you’re doing, because even Madonna doesn’t have that! 

To have more creative confidence, remember:

• It’s okay to make mistakes – it’s how we all learn.

• Your power lies in your uniqueness – don’t try to be anyone else. 

• Creativity is innate – can you remember a time when you were a child and you didn’t care what anyone thought of your creations? That ability is still there, underneath all the fear conditioning you’ve experienced.

My next creative confidence workshop is on Saturday 4th August 2pm – 4pm, at The Tree Room, Colchester. Please call 07904605386 for more information or to book a place. 

Check out my blog (jcpiech.blogspot.com) for regular articles on creative confidence, creative writing, and social media, and to keep up to date on upcoming workshops.