PCD Vault: Imposter Syndrome

When I ran Pushing Colored Dirt I would write a weekly email.

It was great practice in communicating with our customers, and wonderful for me to work on my writing chops. I’ve saved some of them and want to share them on the blog from time to time. Here’s one on Imposter Syndrome that received positive feedback:

Imposter Syndrome

Let me ask you a question:
How many times have you NOT started on a drawing or a painting idea of yours because you couldn’t figure out how to do XYZ?

How many times have you been stifled because you don’t have exactly the right idea? Or you think you don’t know the right techniques? Or because you feel like you’re not good enough?

That right there is called imposter syndrome. In a nutshell, and without sugarcoating it, you make excuses not to start OR finish something because of whatever limitations you’ve created for yourself.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to point a finger at you and say “Real artists NEVER feel this way. You should give up and take a digital marketing course.”

Because the truth is all artists experience this. 

Probably every day.

And it’s not limited to only visual artists, it’s across the board. If you’re human and you happen to be alive now, or if you were alive at some point in the past (shout out to all my spirits!), or if you will be alive and reading this at some point in the future, you probably have and will experience this multiple times.

Now, it requires a bit of mental rewiring and practice, but you can reframe your thinking when you hit these roadblocks. 

“How, Julian? Tell us!!” you’re undoubtedly asking. Well if you sign up for our courses…

I’m kidding.

One of the best solutions I’ve learned has been to confront your imposter head-on. Give it a name. Give it a personality. Create a narrative between the two of you. Give it the attention it craves.

And then send it packing.

In my experience, if you don’t acknowledge it you will continually find yourself asking “what if…?” You’ll be plagued by analysis paralysis; that never-ending search for information that will get you to the mythical “perfect” place where you can take action. But you never get there.

Instead of ignoring it, or pushing it aside, engage it. Ask your imposter questions. Share a drink with them. Or maybe a nice meal on a sunny day. Take control of YOUR narrative, so that the imposter can learn its place in your story.

As always, let me know your thoughts. I may not respond, but believe me, I read everything that arrives in my inbox. And I take notes.

Happy arting! And enjoy a nice glass of wine with your imposter.