The Simplest Cure for Creative Envy
Don’t shut down the feeling — channel it into motivation
We all like to believe that we’re in control of our own decisions, That’s true, to an extent, but not entirely — each of us is largely a product of our environment, perhaps more than we’d care to admit.
This can be a positive thing. Grow up surrounded by books, and you might fall in love with reading. Live near greenery and you’ll feel more connected to nature, which research suggests can make you healthier and happier. Surround yourself with love and you’ll feel love.
But surrounding yourself with creativity doesn’t necessarily make you more creative; in fact, it can often backfire. When creative people see others accomplishing amazing things, they often enter the emotional muddle of professional envy.
Perhaps you’ve been there. You take in another person’s groundbreaking work, and you compare it to your own less brilliant efforts. You keep a pained, watchful eye on their success, making note of each fawning article and praise-laden tweet as you remain grounded in anonymous mediocrity.
Envy is a trap: The more you have, the more you get in your own way. It will never motivate you to produce good work; when you feel envious, you shut down the part of your brain that can create freely. You…
