Creative process is a tricky discussion topic. It is easy to “get into the weeds” of the world of objectives, measurements, and arcane subjects likes intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. However, when most of us embark on a creative endeavor, there is an ingredient that often inserts itself into the stew of the process.
It is an ingredient that thrives in the whirl and melee of words and images, colors and shapes, doubts and worries, hopes and dreams. It lurks in the corner, waiting for the opportune moment to tap us on the shoulder as we move forward with our project. For some, it becomes the inner naysayer constantly dripping negative messages to prevent action or even the consideration of action.
This faceless gremlin has a name only four letters long — Fear.
It seems to be immune to reason or even moral imperatives. It dismisses counter-attacks launched in the thousands of books written for parents, leaders, and teachers. It even has inspired special sections in libraries and bookstores called “Self-Help.”
Georgia O’Keefe once remarked, “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.” Her words cut to the heart of the battle, reminding us to empower ourselves to keep Fear at arm’s length as we live our creative lives.
Her statement may ring true, but it doesn’t provide advice for how we can drive through the darkness of uncertainties that may threaten to envelope the highway ahead of us.
Perhaps the answer lies in not jumping too far ahead of ourselves, of not expecting total safety from our human foresight. Instead, maybe it involves approaching the unapproachable incrementally and remembering E.L. Doctorow’s words, “It’s like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”
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