Fear Limits Your Creative Mind

Hi, my name is Patty Leardi. I’m a senior advertising major with concentrations in Copywriting and Brand Strategy. I have been a research/content coordinator intern at This Is It Network throughout my summer break and fall semester. This Is It Network is a global platform specializing in educational entertainment for women wanting to increase their brand awareness. Our brand emphasizes the importance of “screaming your dream”. 

No one likes being new to things, but it is essential to growth in life. New experiences soon become second nature when you adapt to them. Internships allow you to learn and grow in your current interest. However, they can also lead to you feeling nervous about expressing your ideas or unsure about your work. Understanding that internships encourage you to escape your comfort zone is an important part of the experience. 

One problem that can arise in a new environment is fear that your work is not good enough. This fear can be very limiting when showing your work. You are in this internship to learn and were chosen for a reason. Perfection does not happen overnight, it is a process. You cannot limit your ideas or creativity for fear of failure. If you are feeling unsure, you are always allowed to ask questions or ask for more clarity on something. When you submit your work, another important factor is understanding that feedback is not a personal attack but a way to strengthen your work. Do not let feedback discourage you but let it guide your next steps in your work. 

Throughout my internship, I learned that adding your own spin to your work can lead to more inventive ideas for your team. Starting my internship, I would get a little nervous if my supervisor would not tell me exactly what to do. Now I see it as an opportunity to express creativity in my work and improve my skills. New experiences and environments will always be scary for me, but now I try to look at them with excitement instead.