Ah yes, that feeling of terror known as “panic.” I don’t know about you, but that emotion is one I can be happy without. I guess you could say that the pan has -ick on it, haha. Jokes aside, that feeling is undeniably a driving force behind a lot of creators’ business decisions, especially when they’re starting out.
For example, your website hosting tab is due, but you haven’t performed enough gigs. Or you have a tight deadline with a dream graphic design client, and if you miss one small detail, they’ll disappear along with any chance of them referring you to others. Or even worse, your rent bill is due, but you can’t get your audience to book your best photography offer.
So many of us creators face this struggle, but what you don’t realize is that your panic is a saving grace and a potential downfall. Sometimes that panic is what gives you the push you need to go for the client with a bigger budget. Sometimes that panic can make you feel isolated and alone, vulnerable like a raw nerve.
I know what you’re thinking at this point. “Yes Katy, panic is a thing that we don’t like to deal with, but we deal with it regardless. What are you getting at?” Listen closely. That panic can be your greatest superpower, if used right. Yes, you read that right. Panic is a superpower, not a devil on your shoulder, if it’s managed responsibly.
What is a Panic Attack Anyway?
A panic attack is, “… a brief episode of intense anxiety, which causes the physical sensations of fear. These can include a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, and muscle tension… the physical and emotional effects may last for a few hours.” Better Health Channel
Or to simplify, it’s a sudden, and unplanned feeling of intense fear that rises out of the abyss to say hi with a baseball bat to the chest. Fear for creative business owners can stem from any number of reasons, as previously mentioned. But the real place that panic and fear stems from is, surprisingly, not just from external forces. It also comes from your imagination.
This Little Thing Called the Imagination
Just to clarify, I am not saying that fear and panic are a figment of your imagination. Your fear, anxiety, and panic are all valid and very much real. Starting a business based off your creativity is not easy nor for the faint of heart. It’s possibly one of the most nerve-racking experiences anyone will ever go through.
The action of panicking triggers your fight or flight response and causes you to imagine the worst possible outcomes in any situation. But “…dwelling on one’s fears might be the very root of creativity and problem solving,” surprisingly. Parent Co.
First, let’s dive into the mechanics of how imagination and fear can spark creativity.
“According to an expert at Evergray Digital Media, …[creatives]… use their imagination to visualize something before it happens, whether it’s a piece of art or an issue (whether real or made up) that frightens them to cause feelings of great concern and panic. People… also tend to overthink and over-analyze everything, which can make them more anxious and neurotic at times.” Parent Co.
Or in other words, the very thing us creatives utilize to do what we love, just as easily drives us crazy and can keep us up at night with insomnia over every missed opportunity or over situations that may or never happen. I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s been there, I know it’s not my favorite way to pass the time or to get to sleep.
So, how is panic the root of creativity? Well, the images and thoughts that come from your fears are something known as visualization, or more accurately, negative visualization. Creativity is what is known as positive visualization. All you have to do is change your mind set during a panic attack from terrified to creative, which in turn calms the mind, and causes that spark of inspiration.
I know, I make it sound too easy. And the fact of the matter is, it absolutely is not easy. To get to the level where you flip your mind switch from panicked to creative requires years of practice in controlling your fight or flight mode. You must retrain your brain and yourself into thinking differently, like playing 4-d chess or like a martial arts video game.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had anxiety your entire life and are stuck in fight or flight mode most of the time. Visualizing has helped me to get to where I am now in my business and in my life, but you can’t just visualize your dreams into reality. You still need to work for what you want, sadly. Positive visualization just helps you stay optimistic about whatever situation you’re in, or just life in general.
How does this help your brand and business??
Anxiety and visualization can help your business by influencing your decision making, depending on the context. A study published by Harvard Business Review investigated the anxiety levels of CEO’s when they were presented with risky business decisions.
“Researchers have shown that executives facing loss contexts (e.g., when the company has recently underperformed relative to peers) are more inclined to make big strategic bets that, if successful, can undo the loss… Executives facing gain contexts (e.g., when the company has recently performed better than its peers) eschew risky bets in favor of safer alternatives that offer more predictable, albeit lower upside, returns.
This suggests that… anxiety may lead executives to avoid risky strategic initiatives, … [these]… tendencies may be counteracted when the executive is facing a loss context that calls for bold action.”
To sum up, if you, as a business owner, are presented with a make-or-break decision in your business, you’ll be more likely to make a bold business decision because, from your perspective, you have nothing to lose. A make-or-break business situation is also a great source of anxiety and panic because you don’t want to lose a project you’ve put your blood, sweat, and tears into.
This is just one way that anxiety can influence business decisions. And who doesn’t love being bolder? Negative visualization that’s caused by fear and anxiety also serves as an incentive for business owners in that it presents situations they don’t want to happen. It causes them to get creative in finding ways to avoid the worst possible outcomes.
That being said, you should still dedicate yourself to managing your anxiety in a healthy manner.
All things said, it’s not good to panic all the time.
While panic and anxiety can be your greatest strength, it can still cause your creative business to crumble apart. The thing is, there is a right time and a bad time for panicking. You can’t, and shouldn’t, panic all the time over anything that happens in your business.
Business decisions should be made with a clear and level head as often as possible, with the occasional spike of fear to add to your fire. The Better Health Channel lists some helpful tips for managing your anxiety:
Avoid negative self-talk and avoid thoughts that draw attention to your symptoms.
Remind yourself that the symptoms of a panic attack are uncomfortable, but not life threatening. To get your mind out of fight or flight, count backwards in threes from 100, recall the words of a favorite song, or concentrate on your present moment.
Don’t flee from your feelings of panic, it will only reinforce your perception that panic attacks are unbearable. By sitting and letting the symptoms pass, you build your confidence and get better at coping with the symptoms.
There are also other treatment options for your symptoms, like:
Medications
Psychotherapy and biofeedback therapy
Breathing and relaxation techniques
Lifestyle adjustments, like diet, exercise, and sleep
Learning better problem-solving skills
You can find additional help and information by:
Talking to your doctor
Seeing a psychologist
Visiting your local community health center
Calling the OCD and Anxiety Helpline telephone number, (03) 9830- 0533 or 1300 ANXIETY (269 438)
In closing…
Anxiety and panic aren’t emotions you should fear in business, they should be seen as an asset in the right circumstances. Without anxiety and panic, business would stay at a standstill, and we, as creatives, wouldn’t have an incentive to pursue our dreams. It’s that chase of the unknown and what’s possible that keeps creative entrepreneurs going.
So, the next time you feel anxiety about the progress of your creative business, take a deep breath, practice positive visualization, and be proud of the power you have and of your accomplishments. It takes guts to pursue a creative career. It takes guts to go for the life you want, despite the fear and anxiety you feel.
If you’re a creative entrepreneur who’s ready to take the guess work out of creating your brand for your business, click here to snag my free Brand Audit Checklist.
Read the article on Brainz Magazine by clicking here.
Thanks for reading and happy creating!
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