As you get better at and learn more about art, you come to a fork in the road. There are now three paths to traverse. They are:
Criticism
Most “artists” choose this path. Instead of creating, they turn into the critics. They know enough art to consider themselves experts. So instead of creating they analyze and dissect other people’s art. Read more…
I’m a people pleaser. I fight it like crazy. But I love it when people like me. It’s pitiful. I know.
So I’m about to launch an online magazine. I have about 800 subscribers so far. But the other day, I saw two people unsubscribed. They unsubscribed! I hadn’t even posted anything yet and people already didn’t like me?! It hurt.
I tried to shake it off. I can’t let two people wreck my joy. Eight hundred people “like me”…two people don’t. Doesn’t it seem like disapproval is exponentially louder than approval?
Remember. Not everyone will love you. Read more…
This is part 3 in a 5 part series called “Conquering Inaction”.
Failure rarely ends in death or public disgrace. But that knowledge doesn’t make failure less frightening. “What if I follow my dreams and fail?” It’s a frightening question.
But you know what takes the fear out of that question? Answering it. Read more…
This is part 2 in a 5-part series called “Conquering Inaction”.
Insecurity is the voice in your head whispering, “You aren’t good enough.” It slowly chisels away at your dream until it’s down to nothing. Now you’re not acting.
Do you feel inadequate to make your big dream come true? Do you feel inexperienced? You probably are. Read more…
I’m attempting a pretty big project. I’m starting an online magazine about the creative process of a church service. I’m meeting with many advisors. I want to launch this thing the right way. In those meetings, I’m dealing with a bunch of criticism.
Be aware, I have a creative temperament. I feel threatened very easily. In many of these meetings people are shooting down my precious, baby ideas. It can be painful. But there is a way to deal appropriately with criticism. These are five things I’ve learned (and am learning) on dealing with criticism.
Anytime you attempt something great, you’ll run into critics. Great things challenge the norms and change situations. It’s natural you’ll receive some criticism. But not all criticism is bad. There are actually three types of critics you’ll run into. The key to responding appropriately to criticism is realizing what kind of critic you’re dealing with.
1. The Caring Critic
The caring critic is the one whose heart is in the right place. They don’t want to see you get hurt by trying something risky. The caring critic is usually trying to caution you, rather than keep you from attempting your goal. They want to point out all the potential dangers so you don’t walk into your endeavor blindly. Read more…
Jesus told his disciples, “A prophet is not honored in his own hometown.” He’s saying a guy can have his act together and be someone worthy of respect, but he just won’t get it from his own people. A guy can have all the right answers, but his neighbors won’t give him the attention he deserves.
In an interview, recently, Martin Scorcese told about a conversation he had with his daughter. She told him (in reference to making a movie), “you should find what people like and make a movie about that.” Obviously Little Scorcese isn’t a fan of her father’s movies. A prophet is not honored in his own hometown. Read more…
There are two types of failure. Failure you learn from, and failure that’s resistance. Sometimes failure means moving on. But sometimes you need to fight for your creativity. Read more…