Brené Brown: Why Your Critics Aren't The Ones Who Count

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker grapples with the fear and vulnerability inherent in creativity, drawing on personal experiences to illustrate the struggle between self-doubt and the drive to create. She emphasizes the importance of showing up, being seen, and embracing the perspiration that comes with the fear of putting one's work out into the world. The speaker also reflects on the critical role of values and support systems in sustaining creative endeavors, ultimately urging creatives to reserve a seat for their critics and themselves in the arena of life, to acknowledge the fear but choose courage nonetheless.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The speaker initially felt out of place at a creative conference, questioning her identity as a researcher among 'creatives'.
• 🔍 She explored the connection between research, creativity, and vulnerability, realizing that design and art are deeply intertwined with vulnerability and love.
• 💡 A conversation with a friend led her to recognize that her research into human connection and vulnerability aligns with the creative process.
• 😓 The speaker humorously considered getting pinkeye as an excuse to avoid the conference, highlighting her initial reluctance.
• 💦 The term 'sweaty creatives' is used to describe the hard work and emotional labor involved in the creative process.
• 🎯 A quote from Theodore Roosevelt's 'Man in the Arena' speech profoundly impacted her, reframing her perspective on criticism and failure.
• 🛡️ She advocates for 'armoring up' against self-doubt and fear, but warns that it can also shut off creativity and love.
• 👀 The speaker identifies 'shame', 'scarcity', and 'comparison' as universal emotions that often occupy the 'arena' of creative expression.
• 🤝 The importance of having supportive people in your life who can pick you up after failure is emphasized, as is the need for self-compassion.
• 🚫 She encourages creators to reserve a seat for their critics in the arena, acknowledging their presence but not letting it deter creativity.
• 💪 The talk concludes with a call to embrace vulnerability and self-criticism as necessary parts of the creative journey.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial reluctance to attend the 99% conference?

The speaker initially wanted to avoid attending the 99% conference because they realized they didn't truly belong to the 'tribe' of creatives they thought they did, as their obsession with fonts and research didn't align with the typical creative spirit.

How did the speaker's friend react to the idea of getting pinkeye to avoid the conference?

The friend responded with shock and concern, asking if the speaker was in a 'bad place', indicating that the idea of intentionally getting sick was extreme and not a healthy approach to dealing with the situation.

What is the significance of the 'pinkeye epidemic' mentioned in the script?

The 'pinkeye epidemic' serves as a metaphor for the speaker's desire to find any excuse to avoid attending the conference, highlighting their internal conflict and reluctance to embrace their identity as a creative.

What quote from Eudora Roosevelt had a profound impact on the speaker?

The quote that impacted the speaker was from a speech by Theodore Roosevelt, known as the 'Man in the Arena' speech, which emphasizes the importance of courage in the face of criticism and the value of daring greatly, even in the face of failure.

How does the speaker define 'sweaty creatives'?

The speaker defines 'sweaty creatives' as individuals who put in the hard work and effort (perspiration) into their creative processes, often experiencing fear and anxiety (sweat) as they present their ideas and creations to the world.

What does the speaker suggest is the birthplace of both fear and creativity?

The speaker suggests that vulnerability is the birthplace of both fear and creativity, as it encompasses emotions like self-doubt, grief, and uncertainty, but also love, joy, trust, empathy, and innovation.

Why does the speaker believe it's important to reserve a seat for critics in the arena?

The speaker believes in reserving a seat for critics to acknowledge their presence and to demonstrate that their feedback is not the driving force behind the speaker's actions. It's a way to show that the speaker is aware of criticism but chooses to continue their creative endeavors regardless.

What role do values play in the speaker's approach to creativity?

Values play a crucial role as they provide clarity and direction for the speaker's creative endeavors. They serve as a guiding force, especially when facing failure or criticism, ensuring that actions align with deeply held beliefs like courage and authenticity.

Why is it important to have someone who can pick you up after failure, according to the speaker?

Having someone who can pick you up after failure is important because it provides emotional support and reassurance, allowing the individual to recover and continue pursuing their creative goals without being defined by their failures.

What does the speaker suggest we should reserve a seat for ourselves in the arena?

The speaker suggests reserving a seat for ourselves to acknowledge our own self-criticism and to remind us of our origins, the people who love us, and the reasons why we create. It's about understanding that self-criticism can be just as harsh as external criticism, and it's essential to balance it with self-compassion and a reminder of our creative purpose.