*Open Studio Visiting Creative, Ann Thomas is the author of 101 Affirmations for Radical Self-Love and a certified personal and professional development coach. To read her Bio, click here

Getting Unstuck

As a Creative, you are vulnerable each time you put one of your pieces out for the public to view.  You try to convey your passion and vision through your materials but sometimes, those who observe your work are unable to give you the kind of response that you want or that you feel your piece warrants.  Naturally, you feel disappointed.  The key is to not get stuck in the disappointment or let it grow into bitterness

Be steadfast in the face of disappointment.  This isn’t always easy to do.  Sometimes, you get completely caught up in the intensity of your feelings.  You tell yourself, “What’s wrong with me?” “I’m such a failure!” “I’m never going to be successful.”

When you start to notice that you are feeling low, STOP EVERYTHING! Your disappointment and attendant negative feelings are a signal and only a signal.  It’s letting you know that your thoughts are operating at a low vibration.  Nothing good can manifest from such a low vibration!  Remember, like attracts like.  So, when you operate from such a low vibration, you will inadvertently attract other experiences that keep you in a lower (i.e., negative) state.  Instead, reframe your thoughts and recommit to taking action in the direction of your dreams.

Here are three questions you can ask yourself to reframe your thoughts:

1.  “Where am I exaggerating?”  – Generally, a negative thought pattern is like a snowball turned into an avalanche.  Most likely, there is some truth to your negative thought.  That’s why it has such a hold on you.  But then, you tend to amplify the negative while discrediting anything positive.  In other words, you lose the ability to view the situation objectively.  Instead, you exaggerate the magnitude of the negative aspects of the situation. By asking yourself this simple question, you help rebalance your mind and gain a healthier perspective of your disappointment.
2.  “What’s a better feeling thought that is believable to me?” – Your thoughts create your feelings.  If you want to change the way you feel, you have to recognize what you are thinking and change it to one that feels better.  But don’t exaggerate the new thought to something that feels far-fetched.  You’ve got to believe that your new thought is possible. For example, if you have struggled with money, you may be thinking, “I’m broke.” “I live paycheck to paycheck.” “I’ll never get out of debt.” If you change your thought to, “I’ll be a millionaire by the end of the month,” chances are that you don’t really believe that thought. If you don’t believe it, you can’t achieve it.  So, the new thought becomes a joke rather than a catalyst for true change.  Finding a better feeling believable thought – even if it’s only slightly better than your old thought – helps raise your vibration.
3. “What would _____ do?” – Think of someone you admire and aspire to be like. Then ask yourself what he or she would do in your situation.  Really try to see the situation from his/her perspective.  What action would they take in the face of disappointment?  How would they react? It’s not enough to contemplate this question as an outsider looking in – you have to embody that person. Imagine that you are him or her.  Allow yourself to assume a posture that captures that person’s energy.  Allow yourself to feel what it would be like to be that person, giving your creativity full permission to imagine what it would feel like to think, act, and live as that person. Then, from that place, access his/her wisdom.

The key to bouncing back from disappointment is to recognize that your thoughts create your reality.  You can change your thoughts.  As a result, you will change your reality.  Don’t let the disappointment derail your dreams.  You are more powerful than that!

*what tools do you use to raise yourself up from disappointment in business?  Do you have a support group or work yourself out of your funk, yourself?  Leave your comments below and SHARE this article by clicking the buttons below. Thanks!

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