The Beauty of Having Doubts

Doubt is an unavoidable part of a rich life.  But there's also an important distinction between having uncertainties about your career, and wanting to do something completely different with your life. The distinction is not always clear. If your deepest core still believes your dream is important then fight like hell for it. Conversely, if your heart is trying to tell you that it’s time for a new journey, I encourage you not to deny that calling. Doing so might mean closing yourself off to new and worthwhile opportunities, which may add great value to the lives of others. Remember, doubt can be an opportunity to redefine your ambitions, or recalibrate your current ones.

You can also reinvent the role art plays in your life. For example, when acting began to slowly take a less prominent role in my life I turned to other outlets such as writing and coming up with creative solutions to problems in my community. Both were forms of artistry that allowed me to express myself in equally meaningful ways. Moving on to new endeavors is less of a farewell then a different way of expressing your imagination.  Remember what Peggy Taylor said, “Creativity is not found just in the chosen few who exhibit artistic talent. 

 

Solitude in Moderation

Solitude comes with the territory when pursuing a career in the arts. There are many benefits of spending time alone including opportunity for reflection, silencing the mind, and taking time to evaluate renewed goals and ambitions.

But like anything else, too much solitude can be unfavorable. It's easy to bury ourselves in our work, or hibernate in our homes for days, sometimes weeks on end without any with the outside world.

I'm convinced there's a "sweet spot" that can be attained, or at least pursued. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded people who care about us and support our ambitions can put a much-needed spotlight on what we can improve on. 

Often, just knowing you have a team of concerned people behind you can do wonders for the morale, while reminding you of how far you've already come; something we often fail to recognize in our pursuit of simply wanting more and more. 

Protect Your Enthusiasm

In Greek, the word "enthusiasm" means to be filled with God. You don't you have to be religious, or even particularly spiritual to appreciate the notion of living with vigor, passion -- a sense of zeal.

But beware. Regardless of what path you embark on you will undoubtedly come across "enthusiasm bandits" -- people committed to stealing your spirit. They may even do so inadvertently or without knowing.

The trick is to protect your enthusiasm. You can do so by sharing your greatest dreams and aspirations with a community of like-minded folks who will support you. You needn't say a word to those who will scoff, snicker, or criticize. 

Another approach you can integrate is to regularly check in with your, "why." If your reasoning for pursuing your creative ambitions is so strong and embedded in the the DNA that makes you who you are, it will be more difficult to be ruffled when someone doesn't support your dream.

Protect your spirit as best you can. You'll need it.