Unlocking Your Hidden Creative Muscle: How to Boost Your Engagement and Self-Confidence

QUESTION.

Are you holding yourself back from creating content? Whether you're a digital marketer or a local business owner, fear can prevent you from achieving your goals and fulfilling your purpose. In this blog post, we'll explore how you can overcome fear and unlock your hidden creative muscle. This post is based on the recent video I put out on YouTube, check it out here.

The Fear of Creating Content

Overcoming fear of creating content is essential for those that want to make their mark in the world. I understand how it can be anxious at the thought of exposing yourself with your content and making yourself vulnerable, but allowing fear to stand in your way will block you from achieving success and really fulfilling the purpose you are called to. Not to mention you must overcome in order to develop a strong brand online.

I've had many conversations with friends and creatives about this very topic! Before, I started to believe I was the only one dealing with this. However, when I started to get into a community with like-minded people who were going after the dreams and goals they aspired and used social marketing to get there, I realized I wasn't the only one.

So, let's dive into 3 ways you can boost your engagement by overcoming your fears!

1) Identify Your Triggers

In order to begin to overcome your fear of content creation, it is essential to identify what triggers the fear. Taking the time to become aware of when you feel anxiety or fear when creating content can be invaluable in helping you understand where the root cause of your fear comes from. Becoming aware of any patterns or negative self-talk will allow you to tackle the fear head-on.

"Finding the trigger is the goal."

To overcome your fear of creating content, it's important to identify your specific hang ups. Everyone's hang ups may be different. For some, it may be recording videos, while for others, it may be writing blog posts or scheduling social media posts.

For me, I'd find myself making content that I am proud of and enjoyed creating, but wouldn't share it. Why? Because the fear wasn't in making the content, but distributing it. Not knowing how it would perform. ALL the "what-ifs" would come into play. But keep this in mind...

You are NOT performing. You are just sharing your journey and the real and raw truth of it. If you need to go further, just think about the content you are sharing.

Is it from you? Or is it being said THROUGH you? Keeping your faith in WHO guides your steps is the key.

The Importance of Facing Fear

To reach success, it is essential to confront your fears and surpass them. Doing so will allow you to expand beyond what was previously imagined and develop yourself in the process. By overcoming fear of creating content, you can construct a brand/business that resonates with an audience, giving voice to all that has been hidden away until now.

If you don't, I'd guess you would continue to hide...

Continue to hide your gifts...

Hide your talents...

Cover up the light inside of you.

In the Bible, it is written in Isaiah 60:1-3 that God desires for us to share the light inside of us. It says...

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

So, why not use content creation as a tool to share that light inside of you?

You don't need to be perfect. You just need to be willing to try and do it. Start small, by writing content that is true to your voice. Let yourself continue to grow with content creation, eventually leading to more opportunities and success.

Stay focused on winning and not getting trapped in a cycle of self-doubt. Remind yourself that content creation isn't about being perfect, but rather about continuing to show up and improving with each content piece you create.

2) The Simple Solution

The simple solution to facing fear is just to do it. There are no shortcuts or hacks to overcoming fear; it takes work. The more you practice creating content, the easier it becomes, and the less scary it feels.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation like this? Trapped in fear, but you still face it. Just to realize that it wasn't NEARLY as big as you expected.

One of the most inspiring pieces of scripture about facing fear is from Joshua 1:9, which reads "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." This scriptural passage encourages us to face our fears head-on and to trust in God's plan for our lives.

3) Overcoming Your Hang-ups

There are practical tips and strategies you can use to overcome your specific hang-ups. For example, setting a schedule, breaking tasks into smaller steps, practicing self-compassion, and seeking support from others. The key is to take action and not let fear hold you back.

1. Pray for courage and boldness. (Joshua 1:9, Psalm 27:1)

2. Focus on serving and helping others through your content. (Philippians 2:4)

3. Start small and build momentum. (Zechariah 4:10)

4. Remember that failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. (Proverbs 24:16)

5. Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

6. Practice consistency and discipline in your content creation. (Colossians 3:23-24)

7. Celebrate your successes and progress along the way. (Psalm 118:24)

8. Seek feedback and constructive criticism to improve your content. (Proverbs 27:17)

9. Embrace vulnerability and authenticity in your content. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

10. Trust in God's plan and purpose for your business and content. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Conclusion

Fear is a powerful force that can hold you back from achieving your dreams. It is understandable to feel anxious or overwhelmed about putting your work out there, but it's important to remember that overcoming fear is the key to success.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, try to focus on the feeling of accomplishment and the impact your work can have on others. It's crucial to identify the specific fear holding you back and work on that fear directly.

Facing fear is not easy, but it is the only way to overcome it. There are no shortcuts to success, and it takes hard work, consistency, and discipline to achieve your goals. But know that you are not alone. Through prayer, seeking feedback, and surrounding yourself with supportive people, you can push through your fears and create meaningful content that makes a difference in the world.

Remember that your voice matters and the world needs to hear it. Don't let fear hold you back from creating something beautiful.