The Power of Vulnerability

[Former_Member]

I want to share a video that inspired me over the weekend: Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability: http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

You know I'm always encouraging you to make connections – connections with each other, with your buyers. Ms. Brown says, "Yet all too often, connection — in relationships, in classrooms, etc. — is missing. Why? Fear is a big reason why we fail at making connections." I wholeheartedly think success is directly related to our ability to open ourselves up to connections.

I'm curious to hear what you think! Share your thoughts...

[Former_Member]

Very interesting thoughts Danielle! It is hard to be vulnerable as an artist sometimes. It is easy to hide behind the "my art speaks for itself" statement even if the art isn't saying much. I sometimes have this this scary-internet-stalker-fear that someone is going to hunt you out and steal your identity if you say too much on the web, even if they are just feelings.

[Former_Member]

lauraprentice - I can relate. Sometimes I get this ridiculous feeling that I'm going to be "found out" - like "who do you think you are to be selling here?" I need to cast aside that vulnerability and be completely confident in making new connections.

[Rabbittude]

I bookmarked this to watch again.

One statement really caught my attention, the explanation she gave on authenticity: letting go of who you think you should be, to be who you really are. There are so many should bes everywhere you look in life. To just be feels awesome, weightless and free.

[Former_Member]

sometimes the life can be so strange, coincidence are the most inexplicable thing.in these days ,just last night,I'm thinking about vulnerability,my vulnerability, because I always run from it.When you have had a bad childhood, this change your life for ever, you start avoid vulnerability,to not suffer because a child can't deal with pain.But you will grow and avoid vulnerability at the same way you do when you were a baby.But in this way you avoid pain together with love.Oh yes you will not feel pain, but you even not feel love...You avoid to discover yourself with people, because you are afraid tobe unaccepted, but so you will not have the pleasure to have real friend..and go on!! I'm working on vulnerability .It's hard! you don't how..but let you feel something.Thank you danielle for having share with us this video you don't know how much I have appreciated this worlds!..So I share my vulnerability with you writing this words.

[Former_Member]

That is uncanny. A friend just forwarded this interview to me a week or so ago and it has sparked a major life transformation. I have been writing daily "blog posts" but not publishing them for some time now, for fear of criticism. Brene's interview is part of what inspired me to have the courage to put them out there, and step into that vulnerable place in order to be connected.
www.madartistmusings.blogspot.com

[Former_Member]

myapplecreations - good for you! Just became the first commenter on your blog. I had similar feelings when I launched my blog (plaidcupcake.typepad.com) but eventually I was able to say "eh forget it, I am who I am"

[Former_Member]

She's right - the things I've done that have made me feel the most "out there" are the ones that have paid off the biggest for me. I jumped in and started selling my purses for this shop back in May, and it was huge for me. I was featured in the Finds within three weeks.

I sent a couple of pieces of jewelry off to Jewelry Affaire last November. My hubby had to scrape me off the ceiling when I got the e-mail confirming that they had accepted me. Trust me - nothing scares you like sending off your "babies" into the unknown. LOL

[Former_Member]

Well put, rabbitude :)

Absolutequeen, thank you for sharing. I'm thrilled this video spoke to you!

1mADwoman, absolutely. Gotta put yourself out there in order to reap the rewards.

[Former_Member]

Very definitely.So often I will meet people at events, we exchange business cards, and because they are sort of "corporate" and in my wierd mind, higher status, they are just being polite, and so I misplace the card, and don't follow up (me being a bit shy) And just this weekend, a woman I met at a fundraiser bought several pieces of my jewelry on Etsy, and that never would have happened if I'd chickened out, and not gone to the event!

Yup-take the chances!

[Former_Member]

Now I'm wanting to send a bag off to Haute Handbags - hubby just rolled his eyes when I told him, but it really lit a fire under me. Yes, I AM as awesome as I thought I might be! ROFLOL!!!

And that's not me being a stuck-up artist - you've gotta believe in yourself! Otherwise, you'll never make it.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing!

[Former_Member]

This is a food that isn't fattening (Food for thought, that is.)

Thanks Danielle!

[Former_Member]

Great watch, truly inspiring, and even for those of us who are happy, love ourselves, and seems like nothing can be better.... it always can. Thank you! I have reached out to the Etsy community through convos, and chatting. It seems to me that it really depends on the person, on how they take that connection, some falsely think I am a spammer with very negative reactions (had to look past the cynicism of some of those critical comments and just say...whatever then i won't buy from you either :P ) and others have requested samples, and are applying my items into their own works of art to resell. Too cool! Would have never had that sale if I hadn't reached out into the community and introduced myself.

[Former_Member]

I really got a lot from this video -- thanks, Danielle!

There are so many ways people who sell here are in a position of vulnerability -- you put out something you create, and hope people like it (and that you don't end up on Regretsy!). More than that, you hope that people will even love it and want to buy it. Buying is a sign of validation, and if no one is buying, what does that say about you? As the speaker said in the video, you have to be ok with yourself -- that's the way to peace of mind, not hearts or sales.

[Former_Member]

I really got a lot from this video -- thanks, Danielle!

There are so many ways people who sell here are in a position of vulnerability -- you put out something you create, and hope people like it (and that you don't end up on Regretsy!). More than that, you hope that people will even love it and want to buy it. Buying is a sign of validation, and if no one is buying, what does that say about you?

As the speaker said in the video, you have to be ok with yourself -- that's the only path to peace of mind, not basing your self worth on how many hearts or sales you have.

[TanjaDesign]

Do you believe in coincidence? I don't. I believe everything happens for a reason. Just today I got recommendation to see this video from a friend who was helping me to deal with something in my life.
I'll watch it at least once again :)
Thank you :)

[Former_Member]

So much of what we do requires vulnerability. When you make something, you put a lot of yourself into it. To put your items up for sale is a lot like putting yourself on display. There is empowering freedom in being able to say "I am who I am, and I am ok just as I am, no matter if anyone likes my work or not." (I don't think I'm quite there yet....)

Thanks for sharing the video!

[Former_Member]

Moving this back up for visibility. What a video, I want to buy a Superbowl commercial spot for it...such wisdom.

[HurstDesigns]

So interesting I have been thinking of how fear is so limiting to a person. Fear of others seems instilled in us from an early age - stranger danger and all... It just seems like the natural instict to help, talk to, and get to know others has been beaten out of us by the fear. Even with businesses it seems natural to assume they are only in it for their own good, never trust a mechanic kind of feeling. I think that translates into why many people underprice their work - they are fearful of someone looking at them and thinking its a rip off.

So hard to tread through the doubt and fear sometimes but sometimes putting on confidence like a suit of armour really helps, it doesn't matter if your knees are knocking inside, your confidence will reap rewards.

[Former_Member]

I feel exactly like fellow Etsy member moonbindery. It is very difficult exposing the art that you put so much love and imagination into. If it doesn't sell you initially feel that your product isn't enjoyed by others. I am still waiting for my first sale and want dearly to continue creating, but without interest in my product line, it doesn't make sense to continue. The whole process makes me feel very vulnerable.

[samsstuff]

We are the sum total of our past experiences & we create things that reflect who we are. As creative people, we find it difficult to basically bare our souls, when we display our creations. It can feel like rejection when they don't sell or when others fail to appreciate what we do. This also makes it difficult to reach out & risk rejection. It's better if we remind ourselves that the 'rejection' isn't really rejection at all. Our creations are just not what one particular person is looking for at a particular point in time. We can't fill everyone's needs 100% of the time & to try invites those feelings of rejection. We shouldn't avoid others, even if we or our creations might not be what they're looking for. Someone once said that fear is a great motivator, but I think it can be exactly the opposite, a paralyzer.

[JamJewels1]

An excellent and inspiring talk. No superfluous B.S like many speakers. I realise that as a 50 something woman, starting a new business different to what I trained in and spent most of my life doing, I have a confidence in being able to speak to total strangers that has held me well. We (my daughter and I)have been able to develop a wonderful rapport with many of our customers through written communication as we feel we the need to have a 'personality' behind our computer.
It's interesting to 'feel' that some don't wish to develop a relationship whilst others relish it, and this comes via confidence in yourself(without being up yourself) and willingness to expose a little of yourself. We have had some of the funniest and most delightful convo's with folks we will never meet and this is why I just love ETSY!
It is without the pressure of physical appearance/social standing etc that hold so many back!

[Former_Member]

i shared and re-shared this video on FB last week...Breene exactly put right words on feelings and thoughts i (we)had at this moment. i can just tell that for 2 years now, i use my vulnerability to go on in my life and that i've had never been so happy, full of joy, love and even if sometimes i'm deceived by people, or when i realize i went the wrong way, i just cry (3 tears....) and i go on...it's only one life that's been given to us...i don't want to waste it or lose it! i think therefore u trust in yourself, and once u love yourself, u don't fear about connecting with others...
it's a relly great discussion...lol
Not easy in my poor english, but i'd love to talk about it longer...remind me of therapy...
By the way, still waiting my first sell on etsy...but i know, it's because i don't connect with others to share my stuff....poor me!!!

[silkoak]

Thanks, Danielle. I'm a big fan of Brene Brown. I have watched this video many times and I'm always inspired by her insight AND her humor. What a great video clip to share!