Author and speaker, Seth Godin, recently wrote a post that posed the question, “Are you responsible for what you market?” No matter what side of the fence you’re on, Seth’s take is, “If you’re not proud of it, don’t sell it.” This led me to relate how this applies to creative artists.
Creative Artists Are Entrepreneurs
As a creative artist, you are selling your craft, your talent, your name – YOU are your brand.
You may be passionately working hard to do all that you can to ‘make it happen.’ You’re putting yourself on the line, investing in yourself, you’re auditioning, taking classes, networking, promoting yourself, keeping your skills sharp, but despite giving it your best shot, you’re still struggling!
I’ve seen this happen over and over. Doubt settles in and you begin to question your Self. You debate what you’re doing, your ability, and if you’re on the right path.
The real struggle does not exist OUTSIDE of us. The struggle really exists INSIDE. If you are experiencing struggle and you’re not gaining the results that you want, there is an inner conflict that affects your thoughts, feelings, and ultimately your actions. The real conflict is between your conscious and subconscious mind.
“If You’re Not Proud of It, Don’t Sell It”
If you’re not happy with yourself, how can you effectively promote yourself?
On the outside you may want success, but if your subconscious mind does not believe (insert your limiting belief here) that you can reach your desired goal, you will subconsciously sabotage your efforts. You have been conditioned by your upbringing, by your peers and teachers, by life experiences. Subconsciously, you will attract what is most comfortable to you or what you know to be familiar.
Sure, you say you want success, fame, or good fortune, but if your subconscious mind doesn’t agree with what your conscious mind is saying – forget it! Bottom line is, if you want different results, you must change your subconscious beliefs and get clear on what is standing in your way of what you say you want.
If you continue striving without working on your subconscious mind, you will continue to work hard without seeing the results that you want.
Take Action
You can clear your inner struggle to get the results that you want.
If you want to succeed, you need to align your conscious and subconscious mind and get rid of whatever is blocking you inside. Your conscious mind and your subconscious mind need to be in agreement.
Become aware of any fears or subconscious beliefs that have you sabotaging yourself. Once you’re clear on your limiting beliefs, figure out where you first learned those beliefs. Process those beliefs and release them. Your feelings and actions will change and you’ll begin to attract opportunities.
Image via Faithful Chant on Flickr
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Hiya Kim!
Yay, I have liked this blog by Seth a lot! So I have dare to asked one of the world’s top direct marketer, if he would write a copy for something she does not believe in. Let’s see what the response will be, I will definitely share it with you.
For now, I can tell you my take on it:
I would not dare to praise something I don’t believe in, something what I have not experienced on my own skin. Simply no go!
So, I guess I can label myself as responsible marketer;-)
Some people would call me poor, I consider myself damn rich, because relationships and trust I am building will eventually pay off.
HUGS
i.
Hi Ivana,
Your courage and mindset conspire to make you a prosperous leader. Riches do not only come in the form of money. I can see that you live with an abundance of meaningful connections in your community. The sense of fulfillment you receive from that, fuels your momentum. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your philosophy.
{{Big Hug}}
Hi Kim,
Bravo! I’m huge on the subconscious mind and use a few methods to reprogram it daily.
The subconscious mind is a willing partner in the creative process if we condition it properly. As you noted the real conflict is between the conscious and subconscious minds. The outside world changes when the inner world is in harmony.
Thanks for sharing your insight.
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph´s last [type] ..How to Draw Leads to Your Network Marketing Business Like Teenage Girls to a Justin Bieber Appearance
Hi Ryan,
I’ve enjoyed some of your videos that touch on the importance of working with the subconscious mind. I hope my readers click through to enjoy what you’ve put together. You’ve put a lot of time and care in helping others through that medium.
Thank you for your support here
Great advice, Kim and well said. It is one of the hardest things for creative artists to fully grasp. Most artists regard selling themselves as distasteful… if they are to be successful they simply have to get around this and take on new perspective. After all, Picasso was one of the greatest marketers the world has ever seen
. It begins with really feeling worthy of receiving all of life’s blessings.
Hi Rob,
You hit the nail on the head. For example, if an actor does not ‘feel worthy of receiving’ an Oscar, how can he receive the opportunity for great roles? This can actually be applied to any area of life.
Thank you for your continued support. Your books summarize and illustrate what so many of us work to convey
hello kim
how are you?
thanks for sharing this and seth godins’ statement ‘if you arent proud of it dont sell it’, hit home.
i believe we dont need to wait till we get the whole worlds validation (which is impossible) before we celebrate our creativity, the skills/talents we’ve got, the products we’ve developed etc.
we can always start small besides if we’ve put a lot of time,thought and effort we should be proud of what we’ve done/achieved and blow our trumpets moderately.
but as you you’ve rightly mentioned, fear creeps in and sabotages a lot of things including our confidence.
I guess we must be ready to take action and constantly work on our subconscious mind to ensure it aligns with the constructive position our conscious mind assumes .
take care and enjoy the rest of the day
ayo´s last [type] ..Relationships- With Head- Heart And Hand
Hi Ayo,
I appreciate your thoughtful comment. Sort of goes hand in hand with making peace with imperfection. Trying to please everyone is sure to hinder smooth progress. And, I especially like the reminder to ‘celebrate our creativity.’ It’s good to look at what is going right and how much we do accomplish. Thank you!
Take care
Hi Kim
This is so very true. In order to be successful the subconscious must mirror the conscious mind. I have always tried to market products I believe in; I quit my previous BDM job not because I didn’t believe in the product but because I didn’t believe in the way it was being marketed and sold. My integrity is worth more than any sales commission.
Thanks for sharing this inspirational post.
Michael
Welcome Michael,
You offered a great example of the importance of all aspects needing to be in alignment so that your work successfully resonates with your conscience.
Thank you for stopping by and contributing to the conversation.
Kim
Overcoming those blocks is definitely key! I have been focusing on removing my blocks recently and it has made such a difference. Even just being aware of the blocks is a step in the right direction.
I was having a conversation not too long ago and I was feeling on edge about it though I could not pinpoint why. Once I realized that I had a block I was able to quickly figure out what the block was and why it was there. I don’t think that if I had been able to label it as a block I would have been able to work through it as quickly.
Stacy´s last [type] ..Becoming an Advanced Early Riser
Welcome Stacy!
Self awareness is key to growth as most of our blocks originate from within. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your experience here.
awesome!! The message is so simple, clear and yet so much thought provoking.
you are absolutely right, the first step is to clear our inner struggle to achieve the results we want.
Ah, I just recall a quote – All the great buildings of the world were first built in the minds. (I dont remember who the author was)
Raj´s last [type] ..The Importance of Positive Thinking
Hi Raj,
I’m not familiar with the author either, but it’s true — everything begins as an idea
Thanks for stopping by!
Its actually my pleasure to be here
Too true Kim
Any artist, including Public Speakers are selling themselves.
Your job is to persuade someone that you are right for the job, the role, the event.
We all have those self doubts but when you are performing… leave those doubts at home and get on with the selling.
Keith Davis´s last [type] ..Look for the Shining Eyes
You’re an expert, Keith. So happy to hear from you and have your support
This is a nice piece of content.
I agree with all of the above. If one is not confident about himself. How can they achieve anything in life?
Inner beauty is must, it brings a lot of confidence and happiness and offcourse success
Ungenita Katrina Prevost´s last [type] ..Well Dressed Inside-Out
{ 1 trackback }