In a post on the Stage 32 blog, S.K. Valenzuela offers advice for getting past fear and imposter syndrome. “Fear is actually a terrible predictor of the future,” she says. “Its crystal ball is totally occluded. But its insufficiencies don’t stop it from trying to get in the way anyhow.”
Valenzuela shares some insights from Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, including:
- Fear is Boring. Gilbert says fear is predictable and utterly unoriginal; its only message is “stop.” Even though we shouldn’t be afraid of starting a new creative endeavor, or sharing the results, we often are. Gilbert suggests that we acknowledge our fear but forbid it from taking over.
- Done is Better than Perfect. Your work will never be perfect, but eventually, you can deem it done. If you focus only on what’s wrong with your work, if you nitpick it to shreds, eventually you’ll kill it. Do you best and learn to let go.
- Does it Love You? Gilbert also suggests we rethink our relationship to our creativity. Writers often state how much they hate writing, how creativity is fickle and withholding, a curse more than a blessing. Stop that. Instead, imagine that your creativity loves you as much as you love it, Gilbert says.
