“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.”
— Georgia O’Keeffe
This wisdom from Georgia O’Keefe reminds me of my friend Jonathan Fields’ newest book. But Jonathan takes O’Keefe’s wisdom to another level of practical understanding and application.
Go get his book. “Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance.”
Disclaimer, I am biased because he profiled me in his first book, “Career Renegade.” Another recommendation for Artists Who THRIVE.
Back to Ms. O’Keefe. She spoke my truth. When I was working at my last JOB, my manager’s nickname was actually Snotty Scotty. I did not bestow this name upon him; he had clearly earned the title before I met him.
One fine day I arrived back home from my two hour, one way, commute from San Francisco’s financial district and I had just had it.
I could not return to such a soul sucking existence when unexplored options were available to me. So I decided that I would quit my job, sell my home and move to San Francisco where I would paint full time and I would make money.
“Oh really?” That’s what the disbelievers said. Worst-case scenario I would find another job.
But I had to go for it. I didn’t want to have any regrets. My late and dear cubicle mate Angela was reminding me of this every day.
I was indeed terrified. I had no plan, no network, no experience running a business, and most importantly no example to follow of an artist actually even considering their creative endeavor as a business. It was a constant stretch of thinking and faith.
The fear itself was energy. It was fuel. And I applied it to determine a SMART goal, using my project management skills to outline and execute an action plan, and to secure resources.
Tony Robbins says, “You don’t have to be rich, you just have to be resourceful.”
Initially I really did not know what I was doing and I really did not know how I was going to get there but I knew what I wanted. And knowing what you want is half the battle.
