We’re all “con” artists…really.

I am always amazed at how something so serendipitous can happen right when I need it the most. Crappy day, down week, cold wet weather…feeling like a fraud that is quite possibly annoying the shit out her friends and acquaintances. You know, a “what the hell am I doing?” kinda week.

In a fit of boredom, I check in with my Google reader for inspiration…and sure enough, hit a post that has changed my day, my month - my summer even.

This post: How to steal like an artist… (READ IT or I won’t be your friend. )

There is nothing in it that is groundbreaking…but it puts in words much of what I feel and think everyday - gave me some validation even.

Quote from Post:

There’s this very real thing that runs rampant in educated people. It’s called imposter syndrome. The clinical definition is a “psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.” It means that you feel like a phony, like you’re just winging it, that you really don’t have any idea what you’re doing.

Guess what?

None of us do. … All I knew was that it felt good. It didn’t feel like work. It felt like play.

Ask any real artist, and they’ll tell you the truth: they don’t know where the good stuff comes from. They just show up to do their thing. Every day.

end quote

Do me a favor…read his whole post: http://www.austinkleon.com/2011/03/30/how-to-steal-like-an-artist-and-9-other-things-nobody-told-me/ - or at lease the first half.

Reading his steps kinda reminds me of something a friend of mine tells me when I’m being too self loathing and worried about what others think of me or my art…

“Maggi, build a bridge over your fears…and get over that shit.”