Interesting comments on being creative...

I came across this entry on LinkedIn I think (sorry I don't remember who made the entry) but it sounded pretty spot on to me:

"If I'd waited to know who I was or what I was about before I started 'being creative,' well, I'd still be sitting around trying to figure myself out instead of making things. In my experience, it's in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are.

You're ready. Start Making Stuff.

You might be scared to start. That's natural. There's this very real thing that runs rampant in educated people. It's called 'impostor syndrome.'

The clinical definition is a 'psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments.' It means that you feel like a phony, like you're just winging it, that you don't really have any idea what you're doing.

Guess what: None of us do. Ask anybody doing truly creative work and they'll tell you the truth: They don't know where the good stuff comes from. They just show up to do their thing. Every day."

- Austin Kleon, Steal Like An Artist

I like it.  While some say "fake it till you make it" I don't think that matches what Austin is saying here.  What I wanted to highlight was that self doubt can stop you when you shouldn't let it.  Instead, JUST DO IT.  Start making stuff today.  Procrastination should not be allowed in your repertoire.  Take a step, then another and then another and keep it up until a plan emerges before you; then you can move forward with purpose.  It beats just sitting there.

This is Ed Nef with a view from the Farrwest.