"Hi Jer...I read some of your comments on the fear of failure, causing many people not to seek their dreams.  I felt you were right on with this statement, and your explanation was so accurate. 

I am 52 years old myself, and the only reason my writing career didn't take off until this past year, was my "fear of failure!"  I honestly seemed to set myself up for failure, so that I would get what I expected!  An all too common mistake many writers make, and as you stated, those in other art fields as well.

When I was diagnosed with Lupus, a new door opened for me, I decided I could not lie down and let life pass me by, while I felt sorry for myself.  All of a sudden, I had so many dreams that were only dreams.  I wanted to live to see these dreams come true !

The fear of failure was gone, and a new appreciation for life was developed.  Once the fear of failure was gone, my talent blossomed and I found many doors open for me.  I have found the magic in life of taking my dreams and weaving them into my reality!  If only others realized how easy this can be!"

"Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently."  Henry Ford

The word "courage" is a word we hear little about these days.  But, from the time we were tots, courage has played a large part in growing up for all of us.  For example; learning to walk; potty training; riding your bike, as you wobbled down the street about to fall over; starting school, etc.  How about your first date...remember that?  It took courage to do all of these things when you were young?

courage; (definition); the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous difficult or painful, instead of withdrawing from it;

* It takes courage to start a family, and all the responsibility that goes with it.

*  It takes courage to switch jobs.

* It takes courage to take risks with your ideas.

* It takes courage to join the military and serve your country.

* It takes courage to move out of town away from your family.

* And, it takes courage to participate in an arts and crafts show and show your work in front of hundreds or thousands of people knowing you might be rejected and/or fail, etc.

"What would it be like, if you didn't have the courage to do anything?"  Vincent Van Gogh

I was born, and still reside in the one-horse town of Albuquerque, New Mexico, (USA) with a population of over 500,000!  The state of New Mexico, is blessed with thousands of talented artists and craftspeople.  As a woodcarver for over 30 years, I have participated in over 40 arts and crafts shows all across the state, and I have promoted six of my own shows. (Fiesta of Arts and Crafts/Art in the Park)

During this long period of time, I have seen so many wonderful and talented pieces produced by artists and craftspeople in so many different mediums, etc.  But, there are many of those artists and craftspeople who never get to this level...that is...the abiltiy to get out in front of the world and to show and sell your work! 

"The fear of failure"...couple that with stage fright, and you have a toxic mix!  The fear of being rejected...and this is a BIG problem for many people!  I've seen people who do sensational work of one type or another, but they won't go out and show their work because of these reasons!  There are two basic problems here.

1) The individule has to get the courage it takes to get out there in public and to show or sell their work, etc.

2) The tough part is, the fact that the person has to place a price tag on their items they are going to sell.  What is the piece you created worth?

But, the first thing the artist has to do is to get out there!  The artist can worry about pricing later...if there is a later!  One suggestion I have for people just getting started, is to do what I did.  I took my wood carvings to the flea market, and just "showed" them and didn't sell anything, etc.  This took the pressure off of me, as I got used to being in front of hundreds or thousands of people.  It was a great was to get reaction to my work and I could see for myself which pieces the public was interested in, etc.

By the time I was ready to participate in my first arts and crafts show...I felt ready...well...sort of!  While I was going to the flea market to display my work, I was invited to participate in an outdoor show in Santa Fe, New Mexico on the Plaza.  Tourists from all over the world come to Santa Fe each year, and at the time, I didn't think I was ready for something like this.  I was quite nervous, but I entered the show, and I nearly cancelled before the deadline, but I went on with it anyway!

Somehow...I found the courage it took to get out there and display my work, but I had the jitters all day long, but everything went well.  I sold more of my work than I ever dreamed of...but I was as nervous as could be!  I can understand why people have fear of failure...I've been there...I've done that!

"Many of life's failures, are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."  Thomas Jefferson

As I stated earlier, I was the founder and director of the Fiesta of Arts and Crafts (Art in the Park) which was held in Rio Rancho, a small community near Albuquerque.  During the six shows we had, I was priviliged to meet some of the most talented artists and craftspeople from all over the state. 

During one of our shows, there was a woman named Jean, who called me one day, and I'll share her story with you because I think it's great!  Jean called me just before the deadline to enter the show and to get her refund.  She was quite nervous about participating in her first show!  She told me she had worked with macrame for years, and she just gave away her work to family and friends, etc.  She told me she never could get the courage to participate in a show.  As I spoke to her on the phone, she sounded a little jittery and nervous, and I could tell she was afraid of rejection, etc.

To take the pressure off of her, I told her she could just "show" her work if she wanted to, and not sell anything.  I tried to encourage her as much as I could, and we all had to go through it.  Some day, we all had to just jump in head first and give it a try...but...judging from her voice...I didn't think she was going to enter the show!  She didn't have that sound of confidence one needs to go forward...

A couple of days later, and to my surprise...her entry from came in the mail and I was so glad to see it!  This was a non-juried show, so when Jean arrived the morning of the show, I want over to meet her and to look at her work.  She did fabulous work!  WOW!  She was going to WOW some people with her work...I could tell...and her prices were just fine, etc.  I was really proud to see her come out and give it a try!

"Our greatest glory, is not in failing, but in raising up every time we fail."  Ralph Waldo
Emerson

There were about 100 exhibitors at the show, and later in the morning, while I was attending business in the park, I heard somebody yelling my name from across the park...it was Jean! 

"Jerry...Jerry...I did it!  I did it...Jer!"  Jean ran across the park, and she was so excited about something...she had something in her hand...it was a check!  "I did it, Jer...look my first check...for fifty dollars!"  Her first sale!  WOW! Jean was jumping up and down..she was so excited!  Hugs for everbody!  We were both jumping up and down like a couple of little kids playing in the park...giving each other high-fives!

I walked her back to her display, and I noticed a tear or two on her face...boy...this was one happy woman!  I was so happy for her...I think from her emotions, she overcame her fear of failure, and she did it all by herself!  I was surprised when she was already making plans for her next show! 

So, it doesn't matter what your chosen field...to succeed...it's going to take a mixture of many things...determination; discipline; long hours; skill; talent; and as Jean found out after years of searching...it's going to take courage!

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