This Post Is For Anyone Who Is Being Told You Are No Good And Have No Value

“Artists are people with a genius for finding a new answer, a new connection, or a new way of getting things done.” – Seth Godin

I am currently reading Seth’s fantastic book Linchpin.  He makes the argument that our society is built to reduce everyone but a few to a level of mediocrity.  We are driven to a point of simply blending in.  And for most of us, there will always be someone there to tear us down and make sure we stay in the box.

About a decade ago, I had an influential person in my life who continually told me I was out of date, not creative, too Southern Baptist (even though I didn’t attend a SBC church), had a terrible accent, and should be replaced by someone younger.  Seth would have loved this guy!!! 

You would not think I am an artist.  I am 45 years old, gray-headed, need to lose about 10-20 lbs, have the same John Travolta hairstyle since the ’70s, conservative, and a great evening for me is watching a family film like Secretariat with my wife and daughter.

I’m no longer young, trendy with my clothes, cutting-edge with my music, hang out at Starbuck’s, or have messed up hair.  But you see, Seth is right!  I am every bit the artist anyone else is…and the great news is I know you are as well.

Art and creativity are simply finding new answers to old questions, a new way of doing things, and a new way of looking at issues.

At 45 years old, I can do that.  Therefore, I feel I am hitting my artistic stride.  I have enough experience to know what the real problems are, what will work and what want, how things should be, appreciate new ideas because I have seen many work, and the experience to understand the potential of young people.

In the last two years, I have done the following:

• Started www.BrianDoddOnLeadership.com.
• Helped create Take Out Conference  which is a joint effort between INJOY Stewardship Solutions and NorthStar Church to equip church leaders to better impact their communities.
• Helped create and launch an Acts 2:45 initiative at Fellowship Bible Church to serve the unemployed and under-resourced in our church, community, and around the world.
• I have read more books from 2009-2011 than I have in the previous 25 years combined.
• Spoke at a conference to approximately 200 church leaders.
• With the help of some smart people, I have added advertising to this site.  Doesn’t sound impressive but trust me, all the behind the scenes work to make that happen was huge.
• Helped lead a men’s discipleship group that meets at 5:30 AM every Wednesday morning.
• And in 2012 I plan to help create and package a revolutionary generosity tool for churches and publish my first book by August.

Here’s the point – for years I was told how little value I added.  They were wrong about me and they’re wrong if they are saying it about you! 

Whatever you do – cooking, leading a team, customer service, landscaping, preaching, coaching, medical profession, teaching, preaching, consulting, parenting, etc… – you do not work on an assembly line.  Be bold!  Be creative!  Try what you really want to do!  You know there’s a better way to perform your task.  And you know if you did something the way you wanted to, your life would be so much more fulfilling. 

You were born to be an artist!  Therefore, ignore the naysayers and create art!  You really are that good.  You just need someone to remind you.

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