Are You an Artist Who Suffers From Occasional or Chronic Low Self-Esteem?

This article provides answers to What is Self-Esteem and What Causes Self-Esteem Issues? It also lists Some Signs of Low Self-Esteem, and Offers Several Cures that May Work For You.

Having a positive self-image will sustain you during the ups and downs of your art career.  A healthy amount of self-esteem will serve as a protective shield against fear, self-sabotage, victimization, and failure. It’s natural for levels of self-esteem to fluctuate and everyone has low periods but a chronic case of low self-esteem can be very harmful. Are you an artist who suffers from occasional or chronic low self-esteem? Or maybe you know someone who does and will want to share this article about the symptoms and cures of low-self-esteem.

In my experience, as a career coach, very often even the most talented and intelligent artists don’t see their positive qualities and achievements from an objective perspective.  They notice their weaknesses and fail to attain their objectives. In my opinion, most artists could use a lesson on how to improve self-esteem.

What is Self-Esteem and What Causes Self-Esteem Issues?
Psychologists refer to the term self-esteem when describing a person’s overall sense of self-worth or personal value. Simply stated, it’s how you feel about yourself. Genetic factors play a role in forming the basis of how much self-esteem you possess but it is often your experiences that shapes it. For instance, if you’ve been receiving large doses of criticism from loved ones, friends and cohorts, over a longer period of time you will likely develop problems with low self-esteem.

The Harmful Effects of Low Self-Esteem
As you can imagine, low self-esteem can play a significant role in restricting your motivation and moving forward throughout your art career. You may be reluctant to pursue opportunities such as applying for teaching positions, submitting your art to galleries and juried competitions, showing your artwork in the public and more. You may sell your art for less than what it’s worth.

With this mind set you’ll find your career will cease to grow. You won’t reach your greatest potential.

Some Signs of Low Self-Esteem
Here are some signs that indicate low self-esteem. If you suffer from these any of these symptoms on a regular basis it’s time to improve ways appreciate and like yourself.

* Being self-critical
* Underestimating positive qualities
* Lacking confidence
* Exhibiting an inability to express desires and goals
* Focusing on inadequacies, rejections and failures
* Experiencing persistent feelings of depression and anxiety
* Having difficulty establishing healthy boundaries  in your relationships
* Feeling guilty when you say “no”
* Feeling insecure and “less than…” among peers
* Having difficulty accepting positive feedback
* Suffering from a fear of failure
* Viewing yourself as a victim

Here Are Some Cures for Low Self-Esteem
If you determined from the above list that you may have chronic self-esteem issues, now what can you do about it? Is there any hope and solutions for curing this condition?

Yes! You Can Grow Positive Self-Esteem
Like an experienced gardener, you can plant the seeds for self-esteem to take root, grow and blossom.

Your self-esteem will grow and flourish when you strive to recognize the symptoms and increase your conscious awareness of your thoughts and reactions. When you make the commitment to replace negative self-talk and attitudes with positive attitudes and actions you can expect changes to occur.

Here are Several Cures that May Work For You

* Focus on your create strengths — not the art market.
* Define “Success” YOUR way.
* Write a positive Artist’s Biography and Artist’s Statement.
* Make a list of all of your best qualities, unique talents and skills. Make a conscious effort to add to this list as you observe more of your positive qualities.
* List all of your proudest triumphs and career achievements.  Keep the list as an ongoing project.
* Keep this list in plain sight and read it every day until you put it to memory.
*  Pay attention when supportive people remark about your best attributes and talents. Don’t dismiss or reject their sincere compliments.
* Eliminate negative self-fulling prophesies from your core beliefs.
* Read inspirational articles about artists who turned their careers from tragedy to triumph. (Read Being Inspired by Courageous Artists Also visit the Healing Power of ART website for inspirational articles.)

Self-Esteem, Depression and Resilience
Low self-esteem can cause bouts of depression which can be devastating. But, there is a positive viewpoint to consider. I recently read “Happiness isn’t the opposite of depression — resilience is”, according to psychologist Peter Kramer. He is quoted in an article by Carolyn Gregoire on huffingtonpost.com as saying, “Think of the people you most admire — many of them didn’t get where they are just by sailing through life without any negative experiences or failures. Most of them distinguished themselves by their ability to get right back up every time they fall, a truism reflected in countless inspirational quotations on the power of perseverance.”

There’s More!
There are many articles on this website that will help you build confidence, courage, and self-esteem. You’ll see a list below.

You May Also Want to Read
How to Handle Rejection As An Artist
Nurture Your Inner Artist
The 8 C’s in Art Career Success
10 Ways to Avoid Art Career Sabotage