APADIA 30: Fear and Deadlines

A little more on a topic I’ve been thinking a lot about: pushing toward what matters most.

According to podcaster Roman Mars, nothing is different about creativity than any other line of work; you just work until you get it done. “Just sit yourself down and make yourself do it. That’s the difference between being a professional and an amateur. Deadlines focus your attention and make sure you get stuff done rather than worrying about inspiration. The key is to sit and suffer through it. It comes to you when it has that pressure.”

According to The War of Art (and I could quote the whole book, it’s so good, I’ll forever be grateful to my cousin Brendan for recommending it): “Are you paralyzed with fear? That’s a good sign. Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do. Remember one rule of thumb: the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”

“Go toward what scares you” is something I’ve heard many times – and wholeheartedly believe.

If it scares you, it matters.

If it matters, you have to trick or force your brain to focus on it.

If you give yourself the gift of that focus, you’ll see results.

Simple. But not easy.