Just Make Your Mark!

It's so easy to not do something when you are filled with fear of failure. Self-doubt wins way too much in my humble opinion. But, how then do we push past it and get to the good stuff like success and happiness?

"Just Make Your Mark!"

I had a professor at my art university who had this as his motto. He learned it from his art professor and so on and so forth. He said that if you are ever in a creative slump or have no idea where to jump off from, just start creating. "Just make you d*mn mark!" he would say. 10 out of 10 worked. I wrote it in my sketch books every day just to remind myself to create something. Anything!

Today, with this online adventure of creating not just pictures and words, but ideas and valuable content, it's the same motto. Just start writing! Just start creating! I promise no one gets it perfect the first draft. That's why they call it a "rough draft". Begin writing. As for myself, I write the way I talk most of the time. Very wordy and descriptive (with a few curses here and there LoL). Once I talk and type out what I want to say, I will go back and reread, edit, and improve.

Take A Breather

Sometimes working for long periods of time on a project can give you blinders to criticism and correction. For myself, I can't write or create longer than about three hours before I'm like "yeah...nope." It's important to step back from your project and look at the big picture. I usually take my dog for a thirty minute walk and come back refreshed. Once you get time away from your work, it is easier to see what needs more work and what is perfectly in tune with what you want to achieve.

Ask A Friend!

Never be too proud (or scared) to ask a friend to proof read! I can tell you this. I have friends in marketing that come to my job and ask me to proof read their work. I'm a bartender. But, like I said earlier, taking a step back can help! Putting your material in the hands of another can give you way more perspective than you even imagined! Perhaps, even help you broaden your customer base.

Be open and accepting. Be willing to grab opportunities and let go of what no longer serves you. It's a journey. I've been on this journey now for five months, and I'm learning so much! It takes time to get to where you want to be. Be patient. You're not alone!