If you’re a creator, of any kind, it’s likely that you’ve dealt with creative envy. You see other creations and well, you become envious. It’s very common but unfortunately, it can be quite discouraging when it comes to creating your content. It can also suck away the wonderful happiness you feel while creating because you’re too busy focusing on that creative envy. Don’t worry though, you can beat creative envy!

Tips to Deal with Creative Envy

1. Understand that your feelings are normal

First and foremost, understand that feelings of creative envy happen to just about everybody. It’s even likely that the person whose work you’re envying has experienced creative envy themselves. Accept the feelings first in order to make a change and get back to creating.

2. Get to the ROOT of what exactly is making you envious

Creative envy can come in different forms. You can be envious of the content, at the ease of which another creator creates their content, the amount of time others are able to complete content, and so on. It’s important to identify what exactly is making you envious. Once you’re aware of the root of the creative envy, you can begin to combat it.

3. Get Back To Your “Why”

One of the most powerful tools we can all have in our arsenal is knowing our “Why.” That “Why” is powerful. It’s the reason you do what you do. Having a clear grip on your “why” is going to help you deal with creative envy. Why do you do what you do? Write it out. Focus on it. Use that “Why” as ammunition against creative envy.

4. Be Thankful

We can all lose sight of what’s really important, especially if we’re dealing with creative envy. We can begin to take for granted all the amazing things in our lives. Practicing gratitude is a great way to combat that.

Each day, I highly recommend writing down at least 3 things you’re grateful for. This will help you shine a light on that bigger picture. While viewing that larger picture, that creative envy will become smaller and smaller.

5. Put one Foot in Front of the Other

We all just have to keep pushing on, no matter what. When struggling with feelings of creative envy, take it step by step. Do what you know you need to do. Take those small steps until the creative envy is so far in the back of your mind, it’ll be a long time before it rears its ugly head.

No matter what we face, teaching ourselves to keep pushing on is a powerful skill that is useful in many situations.

6. Surround Yourself with the Right People

Try to avoid people who are constantly comparing themselves to others. This type of behavior does tend to rub off. Always keep a positive circle. With a positive circle, you have support. You have people to talk to. The right people can help you minimize that creative envy and get back to doing what you do.

7. Focus on what makes You and your Work Unique

I’ve had those moments where I read a piece of writing and think, “Wow, I’ll never measure up to that.” Any type of creator has likely been a similar situation. In those harsh moments of creative envy, we can lose sight of what makes our work special.

Engaging in positive self-talk with yourself can really help. Go back to one of your pieces of work and focus on what makes that unique. What can you offer that nobody else can? What is it about your work that’s special? Continually ask yourself these questions and keep that energy.

The “Comparison Game” is one you’ll NEVER win. So, stop playing.

I talk a lot about the “comparison game” which ultimately results in envy. Whether that envy becomes creative envy is entirely up to you. Try to avoid comparing yourself to others. There’s always going to be somebody you perceive as better. On the other end of the spectrum though, there’s always going to be somebody you perceive as worse. Avoid the comparison game altogether and you’ll notice a serious boose in self-confidence and a beautiful lack of creative envy.

Keep creating and keep pushing forward. You can beat creative envy. You’ve got this.

Much Love,