I recently reread Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert while doing research for a podcast episode. Gilbert talks about fear being a part of creativity. She acknowledges it is there but she doesn’t let it drive her decisions.

Gilbert has even penned a letter to her fear ready to send it whenever she embarks on a creative endeavour.

It is well worth a read.

A Letter to my Friend Fear

“Dearest Fear,

 Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together. I understand you’ll be joining us, because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life, and that you take your job seriously. Apparently, your job is to induce complete panic whenever I’m about to do anything interesting – and, may I say, you are superb at your job.

 So by all means, keep doing your job, if you feel you must. But I will also be doing my job on this road trip which is to work hard and stay focused. And Creativity will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring.

 There is plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand this:

 Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decision along the way. I recognize and respect that you are part of the family, and so I will never exclude you from our activities, but still – your suggestions will never be followed. You’re allowed to have a seat, and you’re allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote. You’re not allowed to touch the road maps; you’re not allowed to suggest detours.

But above all else, my dear all familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive.”

Don’t Let Fear Take Control

Too often we let fear take control of the driver’s seat. It reminds me of the quote from the Baz Luhrmann movie, Strictly Ballroom.

 “A life lived in fear is a life half lived.”

I am with Gilbert when it comes to fear and creativity. Let fear come along for the ride, it may have something to contribute. So let it have a voice but don’t let it have a vote and never let it grab the wheel.

P.S. If you want to access the Keeping it Real with Jac and Ral podcast episode titled Claim Your Genius, where we discuss this, you can listen here or watch us on YouTube.

P.P.S. Did you do the Kylie Minogue quiz from last week’s post? If so, I’ve included both the questions and answers below.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. What is Kylie’s middle name? Ann
2. What character did she play in neighbours? Charlene Robinson
3. True or False: The Locomotion was the biggest selling single of the 80’s in Australia? True
4. How many waxworks of Kylie does Madam Tussauds have of her? Four
5. What is Kylie’s zodiac sign? Gemini
6. Kylie’s hit song Spinning Around was originally written for another artist – who was it? Paula Abdul
7. What is the name of the INXS song that was inspired by Kylie? Suicide Blonde
8. What was the venue of her first live concert performance in 1988? Canton Nightclub in Hong Kong
9. What are Kylie fans called? Lovers
10. True or false: a collective noun for Sydney gay men is known as a ‘Minogue of gays’? True