The Shadow Qualities You're Hiding From Yourself and How to Uncover Them

You've focused on mastering the external game - perfecting your craft, building your network, hitting your deadlines. But there's an internal factor that could be sabotaging your success in silence.

The Golden Shadow Every Creative Needs to Know

Psychologist Carl Jung introduced a powerful concept that explains why some creatives and entrepreneurs break through while others stay stuck.

He called it "the shadow" - the parts of ourselves we reject or hide.

Carl also discovered something that turns our assumptions upside down: buried in that shadow are our flaws BUT also untapped potential.

Your golden shadow contains the creative and leadership qualities you've suppressed, dismissed, or convinced yourself you don't possess.

• The artistic vision you think belongs to "other people."
• The entrepreneurial boldness you've never claimed.
• The creative confidence you've been afraid to own.
• ...

The Mirror Test: Who Do You Secretly Envy or Admire?

Here's how to spot your golden shadow:

Pay attention to which creatives, entrepreneurs, or leaders make you feel that sharp pang of admiration mixed with self-doubt.

When you see an artist's fearless creative expression and think "I could never do that," stop.

When you watch an entrepreneur's bold decision-making and feel that familiar "they're just different than me" - pause right there.

Pause and take notes. Your unrealized potential is calling.

Why We Hide Our Strengths

Most creatives and entrepreneurs bury their golden shadow for predictable reasons:

• Fear of disappointment ("What if I try to be visionary and fail?")
• Childhood messages ("Stay in your lane," "Don't be arrogant")
• Impostor syndrome ("Real artists/entrepreneurs are different from me")
• Perfectionism ("I'm not ready to put myself out there yet")

When you don't claim these qualities, they don't disappear.
They turn into frustration, self-doubt, and missed opportunities. You end up in constant comparison mode or holding back on projects that could transform your work.

That sucks... like the "revenge of your latent talent". Your shadow saying "use me or I'll use you, either way, I'm getting shit done."

You don't need to do this to yourself.

Four-Step Action Plan

1. Identify Your Golden Shadow

Write down 3-5 creators, entrepreneurs, or leaders whose qualities inspire you with genuine force.

For each person, list the specific traits that make you think "I wish I had that." Don't overthink it - go with your gut like you do when you had a spicy burrito (too much?).

Those qualities exist in you. That's why you recognize and admire them.

2. Name Your Resistance

For each quality, ask: "What story have I told myself about why I can't embody this?"

Common stories:

• "I'm not the creative type"
• "I'm too quiet for bold self-promotion"
• "That's not my style"
• "I need more experience first"

Challenge these narratives. They all sound fear-based. They're also often outdated beliefs, not current truth. You need to update beliefs with new information often too.

3. Start Small Experiments

Don't attempt a complete creative overhaul. Run micro-tests:

• If you admire bold creators, share one piece of work this week without overthinking it
• If confident self-promotion inspires you, post about your work on one platform without apologizing
• If you're drawn to visionary thinking, spend 30 minutes sketching your creative future without constraints
• If entrepreneurial risk-taking fascinates you, take one small calculated risk this month

4. Integrate One Step at a Time

As these experiments feel more natural, weave them into your creative or business practice. Use that newfound confidence in your client presentations. Channel that vision into your creative projects. Let that boldness guide your choices.

Get feedback from trusted mentors, collaborators, or fellow creators about how you're showing up different.

Inspired by Garry Tan's video.

Your Next Move

Right now, before you close this post, answer this question: What's one quality you've been admiring in others but never thought to develop in yourself?

That's your golden shadow speaking.

The choice is yours: Keep admiring these qualities from a distance, or start claiming them as your own.

Cheers, Zvonimir