1) Get clear about the barriers. You’ll want to begin by figuring out what is holding you back from putting out your work. You could be experiencing: fear of judgment, a lack of self-confidence, perfectionistic thinking, etc.
2) Investigate the thoughts that underly the barrier(s). You may be having thoughts like: Is my work ready? Can I make it better? What if no one engages with my work? What if people make fun of my work? What if my friends and family talk about me behind my back?
3) Consider the negatives and positives of these thoughts. Most likely, the fears you have about putting out creative work exist to keep you safe. It’s true that you may experience judgment or criticism when you put out your work, and it’s ok to honor that is scary. However, there may also be reasons why it could be exciting to put out your work, and these thoughts could be clouded by your fears.
4) Decide what’s important to you at this time. After getting clear about what’s holding you back, you may decide that you’re not ready to handle facing the potential rejection of your creative work. At this point in time, it may be more important to keep yourself safe, and that’s ok. Alternatively, if it’s important to you to gift others with your work or do something outside of your comfort zone, perhaps it’s time to take the leap of uncertainty and put your work out there.
5) Take the leap when you’re ready. There may never be a time where your work is ‘completely ready,’ and there likely will not be a time when there’s no fear associated with putting it out there. Doing so against these circumstances demonstrates tremendous strength.
6) Prepare supports for yourself ahead of time and celebrate your bravery. Plan for difficult emotions to arise before, during, and after putting out your work. Let the people you trust know you may need extra support. Then, celebrate the step you have taken. Regardless of how your work is received, you have done something very brave just by putting it out there.
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