Doubt, and what to do when it arrives.

We’ve all been there. Just before releasing something new… or just before presenting a great new idea… or just before putting yourself out there for the first time…

The doubt arrives.

Doubt is never a good feeling. Learning to overcome it will allow you to push past the inevitable barriers that come your way.

When Will Doubt Arrive?

Doubt typically arrives at various times throughout my creative journey:

  1. First, when an idea pops into my head for the very first time.
  2. When I try to grasp the idea and put it into word/drawing form.
  3. When it comes time to actually put out the idea into the world.

When I begin to make actual progress towards things that world will read, hear, or see, my mind rushes to the worst possible places. Every thought assumes something is wrong with the way something is worded, or I sound too selfish or conceited. I worry that the things I’m creating will never reach anyone and thus never make an impact.

It is at that point of ALMOST being ready to share with the world that a lot of people give up.

Trust me, I’ve been there too many times to count! This doubt robs the world of YOUR unique perspective and value. Don’t let your own mind speak for others – let others speak for themselves.

I promise that your audience is never as critical as yourself.

The ideas that we have, exist for a reason. The things that you are good at, or the things you love to do, exist for a reason. We are called to use these gifts and abilities to love and serve others, and this can be done in so many amazing ways.

Overcoming Doubt

So, when that doubt arrives in full force… how do we combat or overcome it?

One step to overcome this doubt:

  • Define your “why”

When your mission is bigger than yourself, you are able to overcome these doubts. You know that what you’re doing is for a greater good than your own pride and identity.

If what you’re creating is going to help people or solve a real problem, these doubts are irrelevant. Use that fact to combat your fear.

The people you are planning to help are of much more importance than your own self-image “looking bad” if you fail.

The final step to facing fear is this:

  • Creating quantity over quality

When you create MORE and spend LESS time making everything perfect, you break down that barrier that each thing you do must be perfect. You begin to get comfortable with yourself and your ability to put something out into the world even if it’s not exactly how you imagined it would be.

This is a major focus for myself this year. Spend more time creating, and less time perfecting. Hopefully this has encouraged you to do the same.

What is your biggest struggle with sharing your work with the world? Reply to this email and let me know!

Thanks for being here. The world needs YOUR work! Don’t let your doubts limit that possibility.

–Eric P

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