Nothing bad happens when we don’t create (but nothing good happens either)
We make a promise to ourselves to show up and work on our art, but when we don’t, nothing bad happens. People don’t yell at us, we don’t get fired, art doesn’t stop hanging out with us. It’s all fine.
It’s ok to get off the bus
The longer you stay on the bus, the further it will take you. The weirder it will be when you finally ask to get off, and the longer you’ll have to travel back home.
Reframing is free
Reframing is free. It changes nothing—but it could change everything for you.
Statue of responsibility
“There is a beautiful statue dedicated to liberty in New York City’s harbor. There is no such monument to responsibility.“
Your inspirations had limitations too
For some reason, we tend to believe that our creative inspirations had perfect conditions while they were creating. We think they achieved exactly what they hoped for—that they brought their imagination to life just as it existed in their minds. This is not true.
Own your breadcrumbs
I had never (successfully) written a book before, but I was confident I could get it done because I had seen the breadcrumbs.
When you don’t feel like what you are
I just went on a run. I didn’t not feel like a runner. I felt more like one of those wooden figures artists use to pose a body shape. My legs felt wooden. I had to work to get them to move.
Prove you are a bad writer
Dan Harmon, who wrote a few hit TV shows, said this on a podcast once. “You’re trying to prove you are a good writer. That’s what’s blocking you.”
If you could fly, would you do it?
Remember—your hair would get windblown. Your eyes would get dry. Your lips would get chapped. It would be pretty cold. The adrenaline rush would leave you exhausted.
Bitter is a flavor too
Stress and sadness and annoyance aren’t necessarily things to be avoided at all costs.
Name names
Do you find yourself creatively blocked because of what other people think? Are you worried about what other people will say about your work? It’s time to start naming names.
The inspiration for my first book
The thing that inspired me to finally write my first book and put it out into the world was not reading one of the greats. It wasn’t a motivational talk I heard. It wasn’t divine inspiration, or commitment to self-expression.
How to beat imposter syndrome
Have you felt it? That nagging feeling like you don’t belong? That there are thousands of people way better than you at whatever it is you’re trying to do? The pit in your stomach that someone will ask you a question you can’t answer, then call you out for being a poser?
Streaks reduce the need for decision-making
One of the darkest places creative people can go in their minds is asking themselves whether or not they should create today. We consider a few ideas, thinking of what to create. None of them feel good enough.
Start thinking more confidently
What if confidence was different than other emotions? What if it wasn’t an emotion at all? What if we could choose to tailor our thought process to increase our confidence?
Theory vs reality
The most ideal way to write a book is to live in a cabin in the woods with no distractions.
Stop asking for the third thing
This quote struck me a few weeks ago. It wasn’t until I heard Ryan Holiday say it so plainly that I realized I’m always looking for the third thing.
Good enough isn’t enough
“Why don’t I have 100,000 followers? My content is good enough.” Have you ever had a thought like this before?
It’s not my job to complain
Occasionally, I’d hit a “hot streak” and write four or five blogs I was really excited about on back-to-back days. I also discovered dry periods—days when I had no good ideas, no inspiration, and not much desire to write.