Fear is a part of the creative process

!The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek

Making and sharing art is scary. Fear often triggers us to want to quit, procrastinate, or turn to numbing behaviors.¹ Steven Pressfield calls this resistance (see Recognizing performance anxiety).² Maybe that’s why so many artists have been addicts: for fear.

Fear can be a positive sign, a sign of risk and potential for growth, an indicator of newness. Whenever Libby Black feels fear about her work, she knows she’s onto something good.³ Fear can also be an indicator of a desire to grow in your skills.⁴ Instead of talking to yourself negatively, like, “You’re not a good enough songwriter,” take action by practicing your craft.

!Risk and failure are essential components of meaningful creative achievement

!I think that music has to have danger

!What is rare is the courage to follow the talent