Mastering Creative Anxiety

In his decades as a psychotherapist and creativity coach, Eric Maisel has found a common thread behind what often gets labeled "e;writer's block,"e; "e;procrastination,"e; or "e;stage fright."e; It's the particular anxiety that, paradoxically, keeps creators from doing, completing, or sharing the work they are driven toward. This "e;creative anxiety"e; can take the form of avoiding the work, declaring it not good enough, or failing to market it - and it can cripple creators for decades, even lifetimes. But Maisel has learned what sets successful creators apart. He shares these strategies here, including artist-specific stress management; how to work despite bruised egos, day jobs, and other inevitable frustrations; and what not to do to deal with anxiety. Implementing these 24 lessons replaces the pain of not creating with the profound rewards of free artistic self-expression.