You Become What You Pretend To Be

Again, I was stumbling (I love this tool) and I came across this article discussing the merits of creative thinking. The article is entitled, You Become What You Pretend To Be by Michael Michalko.

Michalko proclaims as artists we must possess confidence and push our talent to the limits through exploring different mediums and not just creating what feels comfortable. 

An example Michalko uses is that if you pretend that you can do anything - ultimately you will achieve it. It may be a struggle, it may drive you banana's but in the end you will have full self satisfaction because of that initial pretense of "Yes I Can."

This happened to Michelangelo:

Our attitudes influence our behavior. Michelangelo believed he was the greatest artist in the world and could create masterpieces using any medium. His rivals persuaded Junius II to hire him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, because they knew Michelangelo had rarely used color and had never painted in fresco. They were sure he would turn down the commission due to his inexperience. They planned to use his refusal as proof of his lack of talent. If he did accept it, they were convinced the result would be clownish and planned to use the result to point out his inadequacies to the art world. 

Michelangelo accepted the commission. Because he had the attitude of a great artist, his behavior followed. Going through the motions and practicing with colors and painting in fresco, endlessly, he became an expert in the technique.  He executed the frescos in great discomfort, having to work with his face looking upwards, which impaired his sight so badly that he could not read save with his head turned backwards for months. By acting upon his belief that he could create anything, he created the masterpiece that established him as the artist of the age. - Michael Michalko.

You can read the entire article here