A presentation, focusing on the impostor syndrome and the overall critique, we as people punish ourselfs with.
Here is my process
And here is my presentation in PDF form
Note: My presentation is heavily based on visuals, so if you want to know what I was talking about, you should have visited my TedTalk
Nah, just kidding, here is a brief insight.
Self-critique vs Self-destruction
Imagine this scenario… You are working hard, long hours, but finally, you make it. Your dream work came true.
You are proud of yourself. You achieved what you started.
And then it begins. The doubt, the thoughts, the idea of failure.
That little voice you hear, is your self-critique.
Your self-critique should look like a distinguished version of yourself, but no. It probably looks like a little green goblin #&!@ that is just pure hatred.
Self-critique can be divided into a few common forms.
First, there is
You can lack confidence because of recent fails or unachieved goals.
Don’t ya worry my guy.
Good work will come. Everyone has ups and downs and noone is perfect all day everday. Be patient, try new things, get your mind on the right path. Adapt to your mistakes. Fails and mistakes are not something to be affraid of. Due to mistakes, you learn paths that work for you. You learn from them. You use them to your advantage.
Lastly, stop comparing yourself to others.
In the art department, its really hard to find a difference between feedback and hatred. But its an important lesson. Good people don’t mean you no harm, and certainly don’t want to insult you. Take their notes as an opportunity to grow.
but how do I stop this comparing?
Try this. Tunnel vision. When you are working (and you will, from some time to all the time) ina group, don’t look at others work. Everyone has their own ideas and own minds, we all work differently and have different views and opinions on things. Focus on yours, you are the creator, you are the one who will show others what he made.
And remember, your work matters. :)
Everyone is trying to be the best version of yourself, be the best.
BUT
People often forget to be the best version… for themselfs.
Sometimes, all you need for a confidence boost, to see that you are appreciatieted, is to look into the past.
Yea, you maybe did something that is not the best, truth be told, even bad. But that’s one thing. One thing from a thousands of things you did in the past.
Just look at the things you done and how they worked out. You are bound to have done something, that was big and success.
A thing that will, specially for the art department, be always an enemy, is time press and time management.
Working under pressure can a good or a bad thing. For some, working under a slight pressure creates a little more importance for you, does resulting in a better focus. Other times, this pressure can stress you out to the point you don’t produce anything good anymore.
If it’s the time management thing, here is a little tip:
Let’s say your boss assigned you with alot of work, for example 6. From the first view looking like something even a group couldn’t do. And you have 24 hours to do it.
Don’t look at the work as an “the thing” and “24 hours.” – divide them to seperate time schedules, example: 4 hours per task – priporitise what needs what time (from experience or just guess) – work with these “edited” hours and woala. I bet you now know you can do it all, maybe even have some time for breaks!
Last, but for some not least. Impostor syndrome.
It’s the worst enemy you can have. You.
Let’s face it, you heard these in your head before:
Yea, I guessed so.
This is a basic one, but still important.
Sometimes, you just need a break. Working hard and trying your best can be overwhelming, so why overdo it. Enjoy a break. Play a game, read a book, go lay in the sun, do something, that makes you happy and your brain go “zzz.” :)
Remember, your work matters, you matter. You are a productive person in the community. And if you sometimes encounter a wall, remember. If you can’t go through the wall, go around or over it. No wall can stop you, if you approach it with the right mindset. :)
stay cool my broskies