From Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
“I believe that this good kind of arrogance-this simple entitlement to exist, and therefore to express yourself-is the only weapon with which to combat the nasty dialogue that may automatically arise within your head whenever you get an artistic impulse. You know the nasty dialogue I mean, right? I’m talking about the nasty dialogue that goes like this: ‘Who the hell do you think you are, trying to be creative? You suck, you’re stupid, you have no talent, and you serve no purpose. Get back in your hole.’
To which you may have spent a lifetime obediently responding, ‘You’re right. I do suck and I am stupid. Thank you. I’ll go back in my hole now.’
I would like to see you engaged in a more generative and interesting conversation with yourself than that. For heaven’s sake, at least defend yourself!
Defending yourself as a creative person begins by defining yourself. It begins when you declare your intent. Stand up tall and say it aloud, whatever it is:
I’m a writer.
I’m a singer.
I’m an actor.
I’m a gardener.
I’m an inventor.
I’m a photographer.
I’m a chef.
I’m a designer.
I am this, and I am that, and I am also this other thing, too!
I don’t yet know exactly what I am, but I’m curious enough to go find out!
Speak it. Let it know you’re there. Hell, let you know you’re there-because this statement of intent is just as much an announcement to yourself as it is an announcement to the universe or anybody else. Hearing this announcement, your soul will mobilize accordingly.”