Shakespeare was wrong. All the world is not a stage. You just think it is. And it is this thought -- the belief that you need to perform for an always-watching and always-critiquing audience -- that creates massive anxiety. If you'd like to reclaim some of the time and energy you spend worrying about what others think, then read on and be inspired to be, create and share your talents without fear of embarrassment.
There are three sure-fire ways to eliminate criticism in your life: be dreadfully normal, do not take any risks whatsoever and do your best to sacrifice what is special and unique about yourself in order to blend in as much as possible. Of course, this is clearly not the recipe for living your best life. You cannot avoid criticism, but you can learn to live with it and not allow it to have such a grip on your life -- in other words, you can get to the point where you care so much about yourself or your idea that you're not sidelined by a critical comment, negative review or raised eyebrow.
With these nine tips, you can stop letting fear and anxiety prevent you from being the person you are and from sharing your creativity:
- Find a role model. Last week, the first installment of the film version of Ayn Rand's classic book "Atlas Shrugged" was released in theaters. But if you really want a boost of inspiration from one of the greatest creative rogues in literary history, read her other book, "The Fountainhead." Howard Roark will have you cheering.
Don't try to psych yourself up to the point where you simply don't care enough to let criticism affect you. This strategy is wrong and dangerous. A much better approach is to care deeply about who you are and what you are creating. Follow your passion and your inspiration. Go where you are called and create what is inside you. Care so much for others that you don't care what they think. The greatest achievements the world has ever seen were started by individuals who marched to the beat of a different drum. As you set out to change the world, just make sure your drum is loud enough drown out all the critics.
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