We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexander Goodhand. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexander below.
Hi Alexander, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Fake it ’til ya make it, kids. People forget that the brain can be exercised, that you can brainwash yourself. I spent a long time thinking terrible things about myself, and each time the neurons carrying those bad thoughts would get stronger and stronger. The parts of my brain that made me feel good would atrophy, things I loved doing stopped bringing me happiness. It sucks, watching yourself become nihilistic, thinking the world’s a waste and it won’t get better. When I came across this idea of exercising my brain, I threw myself at it. Even if I don’t believe the things I’m thinking at first, I’m strengthening those neurons, I’m making my negative thoughts atrophy. Look at yourself in the mirror, give a few compliments, and you’ll be surprised when you actually start to mean it. It’s definitely a process, but no one changes overnight.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I just love telling stories. Sometimes it looks like rap, comics, or short films. I want to try as many mediums as I can and make sure I’m not missing out on the one that’s really meant for me.
I have a 10 page teaser comic for a graphic novel I’m working on with the talented artist Daniel Max, ‘The Glum Reaper’. I wrote and produced it a couple of years ago during a deep depression, and now I’m showing it off to garner interest in a full-length story.
I’ll be participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this November! The plan is to finish a fantasy novella about a merman who falls in love with a shapeshifter. I look forward to sharing the results with you all.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’m a lifelong learner, I stay openminded, and I love trying new things.
Stay excited about learning, and spend time learning the things you’re into. When I was in school I thought I hated studying, when I really just hated being forced to study things I wasn’t interested in. Use YouTube, use Google and Wikipedia, soak up all the knowledge about whatever you want, whether its soap operas or rocket construction.
Being openminded can be hard and takes practice. I come from a mixed family and moved around a lot, so I got a lot of practice from a young age. Everyone can be prejudiced, just try to treat each new person and situation for what they are, a totally new experience, and don’t let bad past experiences get you down.
Try new things and try them often. I’m convinced that even if you think your life is devoted to one thing, you might stumble across a nugget of information that really opens your eyes and leads you down another path. I don’t want to miss it when that happens, so I’m keeping my eyes out.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always open to collaboration! The ideal partner is highly motivated and interested in telling stories through comic, animation, or film. Anyone interested in working with me can reach out through my email, [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://agoodhand.tumblr.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgudgud/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gudgud
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-146745675/tracks
Image Credits
@xlogram
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