Confidence and Competence - You are who you are

“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” -Michael Jordan

To do well and to be happy with what we do, we need to accept who we are. To celebrate our strengths and acknowledge our weaknesses.  After all, we’re all truly unique individuals.
Success in our design practices has everything do with us; how we feel, how we act, and how we embrace who we really are. 

At ArtSHINE we talk with our clients about “Confidence and Competence”.
Here’s why...

As creative individuals we all have dreams and desires. And we set goals that relate to those dreams and desires. Perhaps it’s to become a successful artist or designer recognised in your particular field. One thing’s for sure; all creative people have one very common goal; to be successful in our own right and to be doing what it is that we love.

From our coaching experience we see two essential characteristics required in order to achieve our goals:

1 CONFIDENCE: our heartfelt belief in our ability to do a task, and
2 COMPETENCE: all our abilities, all our skills, experiences and knowledge that means we are capable to do a task.

In our work we have found creative professionals generally fall into one of three groups when it comes to competence and confidence...

Confident but lacks competence:- Confident and talented with a clear focus on art and design, but not fully competent in all the aspects of the design practice.

Competent but lacks confidence:- Uniquely talented with a passion for art and design with an understanding, ability, and appreciation of the multiple facets of a successful design practice. But lacking the self confidence to move beyond current experiences. Sometimes reliant on others to confirm talents. Has the ability yet lacks the confidence to take action. Therefore remains stuck and seldom achieves goals and dreams.

While successful creative professionals fall into this third category...

Confident and competent:- This is where we want you to be... Positive in your approach to your design practice. Confident in your ability to achieve what you want, and actively working towards your goals. Understanding of what it takes to be good at what you do, and grateful for both your strengths and weaknesses. Constantly challenging yourself, learning new skills to get better within yourself, and in your business lifestyle.

So, to achieve our goals and be successful, the first step it to achieve competence. Build the necessary skills and knowledge you need in your design practice. And that’s not just about the art and design... It’s about your ability to "deliver the whole package".

Just as critical is your belief and having the confidence in yourself to take action. To have the confidence to do everything that’s necessary, to do what you know, to use your talent and your skills to the best of your ability.

The really good news is that both confidence and competence can be developed over time through learning, experiencing and gaining knowledge.

When you have a high level of competence in your particular area and you have the confidence to act on your ability... you can succeed in any area you choose in your life.

Would you like an invitation to attend the next Quantum Compass ‘ Confidence & Competent’ workshop in April? - contact us now here: 

ConfidentlyCompetent@QuantumCompass.com.au

Want to know more? It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...

1: Like  ArtSHINE's Facebook page

2: Send an e-mail to this Quantum Compass address: 

ConfidentlyCompetent@QuantumCompass.com.au and get more info about our workshops for creative professionals.

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session: 

just call Vinh direct on 0410 636 138, Vinh@QuantumCompass.com.au,

The "BIO" or "Profile"

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One of the first and one of the most important promotional tools in your Business LifeStyle is the “profile”, or “personal biography”. You’ll be amazed with the real results a well worded and credible biography can generate for you. And a well structured biography or profile can enable a genuine connection between you and your audience too.

There are some things about you that it’s very important that every prospective client knows. And when you start to prepare your own bio; and write about “YOU”, you’ll discover that you have many life skills and experiences that are valid and relevant to your audience. Perhaps your passions and purpose will even

 inspire your audience.

Here is a list of things you might consider including in your biography:

·    Your DPP (Desire, Passion & Purpose) and what you love doing.

·    Specifically what you bring to your audience, and everything unique about you (your “Quirks”).

·    All your relevant successes (career, awards, businesses, exhibitions, designs, relationship).

·    All your relevant adventures (e.g. travel to around the world, etc).

·    All the relevant challenges that you’ve overcome, and all your relevant life and work experiences

·    All your relevant training (design courses, diplomas, qualifications, degrees or certificates that are

   relevant or show your accomplishments. And don’t discount and ignore on-the-job training, work

   experience training, etc either).

·    Membership of any relevant associations (Chambers of Commerce, Networking groups, etc).

·    Positions on industry committees, etc.

·    Charity groups that you support.

Remember... Keep it simple. Two or three paragraphs should be more than sufficient. Please don’t write

anything that doesn’t give you credibility. Writing something that appeals to your audience and that you have the right product or services that suit their wants and needs.

Because you’re keeping is short every word needs to be relevant, interesting and engaging. Two or three powerful lines are much better than a full page of waffle.

As a creative person you want your bio to be fun and inspirational.

If your background and training are closely aligned to your business you can bring up how it was a natural progression. If they are completely at odds with your business you can point out why you have made such a switch and that you are now doing what you love by following your passion.

Try this exercise:

·    List the ‘Top Ten’ reasons someone should buy or hire you.  What are your strengths?

·    List everything relevant that you can think of that you’ve done in your life.

·    Eliminate anything that doesn’t add to your credibility.

·    Write a half page biography:

o    Then edit it down to two or three paragraphs that really describe you well.

·    Search the internet and print off three profiles that sound interesting and attractive to you.

o    Without copying, use these to inspire ideas and refine your own bio.

·    Have family members read it and give you feedback.

·    Run your bio past at least three friends and your Business Lifestyle coach.

o    Use their feedback and suggestions to even further refine and improve.

·    Post your bio on your websites and your blogs

·    Save it (ideally PDF) and use it regularly for promoting you and your business.

Once you have the bio that you’re happy with, share it with everyone you know; especially your current and past clients... Ask them for feedback about your products & services and what you’ve written about

yourself.

Ask them to be honest with you... If they don’t agree with what you’ve written isn’t it better to know? And if they do agree... Why not as them to share your bio with their networks?