How to Build Confidence—Without Faking It

If confidence feels elusive for you and this is holding you back, this episode will be especially helpful for you. Confidence is not a gift, it is a habit, something you can learn and use until you reach the point where getting out there pitching, applying and connecting is something you feel comfortable doing and are good at. To help you to do this Ceri shares the real-world journey of a member of her Artist Mastermind Circle, along with a simple confidence building exercise for you to do this week. The Artist Mastermind Circle: Ready to stop second-guessing and start building momentum in your art career? Applications are now open for the next Artist Mastermind Circle—a six-month coaching programme for mid-career artists who are serious about growing their confidence, income, and opportunities.Apply by 21 July at https://cerihand.com/artist-mastermind-circle/ and take the next bold step. KEY TAKEAWAYS Confidence grows with clarity. Knowing what you want stops you feeling uncertain. Confidence doesn´t come first, action does. Once you´ve acted, done something you found hard but achieved the result you wanted, your confidence starts to grow. Fear has a significant impact on how effective the actions you take are. It makes it hard to think clearly, to deliver a good pitch and not feel overwhelmed. When you recognise, acknowledge and learn how to gain better control over your fear your confidence levels automatically improve. Before each contact, go for a short walk or take a few deep breaths to free your body of tension, which helps the fear flow away. The support of your peers helps tremendously. They have been where you are now, so provide practical advice e.g. help you to test email formats. Your first pitch will feel daunting. Make things easier for yourself by choosing someone who has already shown an interest in you and your work, someone you respect. Breaking things down into smaller steps takes a lot of pressure off. Pitch to one person at a time, instead of a list of 10 people. BEST MOMENTS “Confidence isn´t a gift, it´s a habit. It's built one decision at a time in a space where it's safe to try.” “Move fear through your body, not just your brain. Five minutes before any moment of contact, a short walk, a stretch, four deep breaths. Confidence comes through repetition, through movement.” “Before you hit send, move your body, breathe, shake off the noise.” “Confidence isn't the thing you need before you act. It's the thing you earn by showing up.” “That's what we offer in the artist mastermind circle: not perfection, but a space to try things before the world sees them, to ask for help.” “You don’t need to shout louder; you just need to be heard by the right people.” PODCAST HOST BIO With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership/ **** Build Relationships The Easy Way Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/