There’s one thing I’d like to see happen to my creative friends. I’d love to help them get those voices out of their heads.
I’m talking about that voice that says: You aren’t good enough. And your identity rests on whether or not you can become good enough.
That’s a lie. And it’s that same lie that makes us self-conscious or overconfident. It’s insecurity. And that voice has no place in an artist’s head.
I experience that voice. As I write this, in fact, that voice is whispering how inadequate I am. And frankly, I’m not sure I’m winning that battle.
But how do you go about killing that voice in your head? I’m learning. And this is what I’m learning:
1. Stop that voice as soon as you hear it.
There’s no way to stop the voice from whispering in your head. Not immediately, at least. The voice will be there. But you have to stop it as soon as you can.
2. Replace that voice with truth.
Once you realize that voice is there, start counteracting it with the truth. “My identity is not wrapped up in my so-called success. I can do this.” That voice will lie to you. The easiest way to combat a lie is with the truth.
3. Don’t get discouraged by that initial thought.
Each time you hear that voice, you might feel like a failure for letting it back in. You might have even acted on that voice. Don’t get discouraged. Keep correcting your behavior.
It’s the same principle you learn in speech class. You’re trying to stop saying “um” when you speak. So a friend corrects you each time you say it. It seems like the technique might not work because you’re still saying “um”. But those corrections build up over time and help you eliminate the “um” – eventually. You will eventually eliminate that voice.
So that’s what I’m working through. Do you hear that voice in your head? What do you do to get rid of it?
That voice is the devil talking, and he’s going to come back harder and stronger each time he’s defeated with Truth. I sure hope you’re right about eliminating the voice altogether, but I’m not quite convinced… but maybe that’s the voice in my head telling me that. 🙂
I’m not sure I agree with you there. I’m thinking of the native american chief’s illustration of the two dogs inside of him…one wanting him to do bad…the other good.
As you feed the good dog and starve the bad dog…eventually the fight becomes easier for the good dog. As you feed the Spirit and starve the flesh…it does get easier.
Ah, yes, I’ve heard that allegory before. I’m not saying it doesn’t get easier. I agree with you that it does! Right now I’m thinking the bad never goes away, but we become more of a master than a victim.
I hear ya. You definitely need vigilance after you “kill the beast”… 🙂
That voice is the devil talking, and he’s going to come back harder and stronger each time he’s defeated with Truth. I sure hope you’re right about eliminating the voice altogether, but I’m not quite convinced… but maybe that’s the voice in my head telling me that. 🙂
I’m not sure I agree with you there. I’m thinking of the native american chief’s illustration of the two dogs inside of him…one wanting him to do bad…the other good.
As you feed the good dog and starve the bad dog…eventually the fight becomes easier for the good dog. As you feed the Spirit and starve the flesh…it does get easier.
Ah, yes, I’ve heard that allegory before. I’m not saying it doesn’t get easier. I agree with you that it does! Right now I’m thinking the bad never goes away, but we become more of a master than a victim.
I hear ya. You definitely need vigilance after you “kill the beast”… 🙂