The Art of Staying Humble: Creativity Rehab! Part 6

A Guide To Recovering Your Creative Soul Through Life’s Simple, Guiding Principles

Just over 20 years ago, a friend of mine in the publishing industry offered me a job as a graphic designer with a San Francisco-based music magazine. The job paid nearly $20,000 more per year than I was making at the time, and offered me the ability to work remotely from Chico--commuting on occasion to San Francisco to check in with the editorial and design teams. I thought I'd landed my dream job. But there was one big problem: I was not a graphic designer. I was--and still am--a writer. In my quest for this "cool" job, I oversold my design capabilites to my friend, and overestimated my ability to quickly learn the company's design program. I found myself sinking quick in my own arrogance, unable to keep up with the fast-paced deadlines needed to get the magazine out on time. I was in way over my head. For maybe the first time in my life, I felt what it was like to be an outsider, the one who was letting down the team. Needless to say, the job was not a fit and we all agreed as much within about 6 months. I had put my friend in an awkward spot for recommending me, I had slowed down the pace of production and let down my co-workers, and (gulp) I had to admit I couldn't do it all. It was a huge lesson in humility.

Learning how to be truly humble is an ongoing journey. Most of the time, it means practicing the simple act of really listening to others, and asking for help when I need it. Practicing Humility while we're on our creative journeys--be it painting, writing, singing or anything else that makes the heart happy--can help keep us on track, and show us that our way is not the only way.

Ask yourself the following before, during and after the creative process:

• Do I have a realistic sense of myself?

• Am I open to seeking feedback from others along the way?

• Am I doing this for recognition?

• Am I looking for validation?

• Do I recognize my strengths and my limitations?

• Do I know that I don’t know everything?

• Are there people who might show me a better way?

• Am I teachable?

• If no one saw/read/bought what I am doing, would I still do it? Would I put it out into the world anyway?

Do you have times in your life you can look back on and pinpoint where praciting Humility could have helped? I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a line anytime at apattersonconsulting@gmail.com To learn more about how life's Guiding Principles can help you in your creative endeavors, check out the other blog posts in the Creativity Rehab! series here: Willingess, Hope, Honesty, Courage, Perseverance.