By Anja Spagl
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14 May, 2024
Challenging your mindset is crucial when you want to become an artist or develop your creativity. Limiting beliefs hinder the full expression of one’s artistic or creative potential. Your thoughts determine pretty much what is possible for you and what isn’t. It might seem counterintuitive in the beginning because its hard to believe that reality is not set in stone. But accepting this will allow you to open yourself up to new possibilities and opportunities. It allows you to explore different artistic styles, take risks, and push beyond your perceived limitations. Confronting fear and self doubt is necessary to build confidence in your abilities and take courageous steps towards your artistic goals. And dealing with all that just generally increases the quality of your life. For the purpose of my art, which I consider a purpose beyond myself, I started addressing issues that I would have never dealt with. but somehow if you have a reason to do so, it makes uncomfortable work easier, or at least you’re willing to make the effort because you have a reason. I love doing art and the only way to be able to create o a regular, ideally daily base, is to make a living from it. Something that will not happen if I constantly would think that I’m not worthy or not good enough. Addressing my insecurities linked to art has not only made me create a base for a business but also increase my relationship with myself, my self judgment and overall confidence, which just makes life better over all. And again, that’s not something that happened over night but with time and continuous focus. How? Positive thinking is by far not enough to shift your mindset. You need to feel, act and believe! If you are forcing yourself to think in a certain way, but you don’t feel it and you dont act according to it you will create great dissonance within you. Its like if you were lying to yourself. To make this process effective and impactful, I encourage you to keep a journal and take the actions that your emotional “chimp” brain is afraid of. By keeping a journal, you can document your thoughts, emotions, and experiences related to your limiting beliefs. This will help us gain insights and track your progress over time. And I know that this seems so simple and how can that be effective?! I used to think that way. But I have done myself a huge favor by adapting a journaling practice! In addition to journaling, taking specific actions that challenge and transform your limiting beliefs is absolutely necessary. These actions may include engaging in creative exercises, exploring new perspectives, or stepping outside of your comfort zone. By actively participating in these activities, you will accelerate your growth and open up new possibilities for yourself as an artist.