Creativity and Confidence

Last week I posted this image on instagram...

...with the following caption:

The number one thing I hear from my students is, "Oh, I'm not creative." These are people who make art and love to make art. Everyone is creative. Don't ever forget it. I think what these people lack isn't creativity, it's confidence. Agree or disagree?

The responses I got were wonderful.  Here are just a few (you can read them all on the post):

• Absolutely! I think so many people confuse creativity with the end product. If I don’t create a Picasso or a Rembrandt, I’m not creative. They don’t realize creativity is a process: it requires time and practice, practice, practice and courage to keep working and trying new things.
• Agree! I hear it a the time from people. Comments like, “Oh I can’t draw to save myself. I’m not creative.” So what if you can’t draw. It doesn’t mean that you’re not creative! Everyone is creative in their own way.
• I agree completely. My first drawing teacher in college told us the first day of class "Everyone can draw. They just do it differently". Hearing that changed my life. Before that class, I felt unworthy of the title of artist. Now, I don't bat an eye when I tell people I'm an artist. I have an unfinished page in one of my art journals that says "Feel the fear and create anyway".
• Good point. I cringe when I hear myself or others say that. All of us are creative.

There were also some comments from people who are struggling with that confidence.  I wanted to do something about that.  So, I made a video.  Here are five ways that you can boost your creative confidence:

It's an excellent pep talk, if I do say so myself, but in case you don't have time for the whole thing, here are my five tips:

1. Don't compare yourself to others.
2. Don't mistake practice for talent.
3. You need to practice.
4. Use training wheels.
5. Accept yourself.

Are there other tips that you would add to the mix?

If you're interested in one-on-one coaching, there's more information about it HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!