Consider yourself at this moment right now, how many things have your attention? A better question might be how many things caught your attention when asked? Now let's rephrase the scenario, you’ve just completed a test you’ve been worried about and passed with an above-average score. How does this feel? I guess that the answer would be pretty powerful as that is how this kind of recognition resonates with us.
Okay for the last scenario, you’re an influencer and have posted something that receives a wave of negative feedback. How does this feel? These scenarios are meant to reflect the power of paying attention to ourselves and then how the attention of others can impact us. There are two ends to this spectrum, both of which stir up intense emotions and inhibit a neutral perspective in a given situation.
Yet, while these two ends are both very stimulating feelings, the one that brings the most positivity is paying attention. Now of course the phrase “paying attention” can be complex as it is not always easy. However, there is something incredibly rewarding about operating in this mindset. When we do things for attention, our validation is determined by whether or not we get it.
When we pay attention to something, we develop the reward ourselves by being focused. This concept can be confusing to grasp at first, but let’s look at the significance it holds in our lives and how we can use it:
Flow Theory
Have you ever been so focused on something that everything around you fades away? This can be seen when watching an interesting show or spending time doing anything we genuinely enjoy. This stimulating sense of something holding our full attention is called flow theory which creates that feeling of enjoyment and energetic focus. When immersed in this state of flow, you become deeply involved in your creative process.
As a result, your sense of fulfillment is earned through the time and effort you put in. This is where the true feeling of happiness is earned for creators. Understanding this theory under the scope of creativity, we can begin to understand how important it is in driving us to do something.
Look For Collaboration, Not Competition
In an age of interconnectedness, we are putting ourselves on display for everyone to see through social media and the Internet. While these are useful for publicizing the things we’re proud of, it is easy to fall into a pattern of comparison. It is important to know that doing things for attention will never fulfill our need for it as it will never be enough.
Instead, you’ll want to look for opportunities to learn from others, to grow, and apply methods to make your creativeness thrive. In short, do things for yourself because the only opinion that matters to you is yours.
Focus On Creating
What truly makes someone an artist is their ability to use their imagination as a means of providing value. Now, this value is only determined by the creators' ability to express thoughts and emotions of their own. Where this concept loses its purity is when creators focus on the outcome of their creations more so than how they’re constructing them. Now yes it is only natural to wonder what will happen as a result of creating something but this curiosity must be put on the back burner.
Creating for the sake of drawing attention will hinder the enjoyment of creating and expressing genuineness, therefore bringing down the value seen by the creator. Instead, spend time evaluating your work for yourself “how does this resonate with me?” “what are my intentions?” “do I believe in this?” “how can this help someone?”. Finding the significance of the meanings you create will allow you to be present in your creative process.
Conclusion
Connection is more easily accessible than it’s ever been. Any form of media relies on attracting your attention for as long as possible. This algorithm trains people to think about how they are being perceived as they are on the side of perception every day. Whatever your career, hobbies, or interests involve, you do something that will lead to an outcome. If you want this outcome to be rewarding and bring you a sense of fulfillment, then pay attention to how you do it. The more you focus on your actions the more confident and successful you will be in creating.
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