How to Overcome the Fear of "Putting Yourself Out There"

The Centered Leadership interest group published some notes from Susan Cain. Susan Cain, a researcher known for her work on introversion, recently wrote a blog post to help us become better at tapping into our creativity and putting our ideas "out there."

1. Know that you're in good company - putting your ideas is out there is scary - no matter who you are.
2. Think self-expression, not self-promotion - see things like blogging or writing as a creative project than an exercise in self-disclosure
3. Coffee will deliver you from self-doubt - caffeine stimulates our system and can help us get excited about new ideas and ignore the chorus of judgers inside our heads
4. Train yourself to associate idea generation with pleasure - generate ideas over a good meal or in your favorite place
5. Work alone (or "alone together" - e.g., at coffee shop or library) - Yes we stand on the shoulders of others before us, but our best ideas often come when we're quietly reflecting and thinking.
6. Work at night when your cortisol levels are lower - cortisol is a stress hormone, and it peaks in the morning and steadily dissipates throughout the day.  A relaxed brain is a more creative brain.
7. Get in the habit of asking yourself where you stand on various questions - Knowing what it feels like to operate from your center helps to build confidence and enables you to see the meaning and purpose behind your actions
8. Look for role models who are fearless idea generators and sharers

Read more of Susan Cain's work.