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Everyone is hit by self doubt. Even those people who are at the very top of their field. Sometimes they are the most vulnerable to these thoughts.There are days when we can do anything, we are invincible. At other times that self-doubt creeps in and tries to undo everything you've achieved.When that happens, see it for what it really is. Voices in the head that mean nothing at all.Combat them by deliberately doing something that stretches you even further, puts you out on that limb.Everyone is busy telling their loved ones to 'take care' when in reality that's not really what they want, not even for themselves.'Care' in being safe and well is one thing, but we're never really safe.Take risks.And share with people you trust when that self-doubt creeps in. In writing, and art, we are not always the best people to judge what we've just produced.Trust your creative process and let those you trust be the judge. Especially if you are very self-critical and never satisfied.Children ask me all the time at schools why I'm doing what I do in their classrooms. I tell them the truth.I do what I do because I love it, and cant think of anything I would rather be doing. I cant wait to do what I do, and when it's finished I love my free time as well. Then there's sleep. That's great as well because I have the most outrageous dreams, many of which gives me ideas for stories and books.We have a conversation about what they love doing as well, and how to turn these passions into paid jobs.I discovered something brand new while on a school tour this year. It was one of those things that I already knew, but never put into words.Children think in pictures. I mean completely in pictures. We do as adults as well, but work hard at rationalising everything and turn the pictures into words.Children don't. That's why they find the things that they see and think about so funny, and react the way they do.Artists, writers, animators, movie makers, they don't lose this ability. Some even enhance this ability as they grow and use it in their work.The trick is to watch these moving pictures in the imagination and follow where they lead, not to take control of them but trust and let the pictures play uninterrupted.Great writers often say the story 'just came to me'. They allow this stream of pictures in and frantically write them down or draw them before they fade.This is one of the reasons young people are often put off art and writing, especially writing, when they are still small. They aren't able to get the pictures they have of what happens down on paper in a way that does them justice, so get frustrated.The key phrase for what we do in our workshops is: L ook O bserve G ather I magine C reate To become great at what we love doing, we then need to:Practice.Artist, musician Dave McCleery uses this in his art, his music, his life. They are all the same thing.Children, and adults, can do whatever they choose and create whatever they dream by following these simple rules.We fortunately don't give up the first time we try and stand up and fall flat on our face. That's worth remembering when we find ourselves about to give up doing something we love doing, just because it's difficult.If it isn't difficult, it probably isn't worth doing.
Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com
Rob Daniel is a children's author, creative writing, memory and self-esteem teacher. He lives in beautiful Albany on the south west corner of Western Australia, has a passion for mangos, the Greek Islands and bringing the best out of young people. Rob is touring Australian schools and is putting together a world tour with friend, cartoonist and collaborator Dave McCleery. For details: www.chocmint.com
Rob creates 'turn the page' children's e-books with illustrators from around the world. You can check out and buy these books instantly from www.chocmint.com You'll also find an opportunity to join the chocmint adventure yourself, if you have a passion for writing and illustrating for children. Curently there are THREE CHILDREN'S stories being given away free at the website as PDF's.
LATEST book published 'A Tail's Tale', illustrated by UK artist Elizabeth Stringer. Part proceeds from books go towards sponsoring children at the Bear-Care orphanage in Kitgum.
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