In this series I'm sharing what I consider ten key things about creativity. You've probably heard the saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Well, getting a following of people who appreciate (and perhaps buy) what you create beings equally modestly.
4: FIND AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN YOU
It helps to have a champion, somebody who believes in you.
Your belief in yourself generates 1 unit of self-confidence. You plus a champion generate 100. (Psychology math is different.)
When I started out as a TV and film writer it was my now dear friend Rose Berman who did that for me. A little later it was an old-time, mostly retired producer named George Bilson. My best friend since college days, Bob Cochran, has always believed in me (and vice-versa). Going back farther, a teacher named Mrs Drake made me feel worthwhile at a time when I really needed it.
You probably have a few people like that in your life--at least I hope you do. Sometimes as we get older we lose those champions, or we get involved in a new arena and feel insecure about whether we can succeed.
I suggest you thank your old champions and find one or two new ones. They make the journey a lot more enjoyable. Of course you can also play that role for others; I try to do it with this blog and with my books, as well as for a few people I know, and it's very rewarding when I hear it's made a difference.
(My book, Creativity Now, helps you develop a mindset that favors creativity, shows you methods for generating more ideas, gives you tools for translating your ideas into action, and inspires you with case studies of how others have achieved their creative goals. It's published by Pearson and available from Amazon or your other favorite book seller.)
