So, what's holding you back?
How to overcome creative obstacles: A blueprint to end fear, doubt and perfectionism, so you can reach your highest creative potential
“Creativity requires courage, and courage requires creativity.”
—Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
Fear. Doubt. Perfectionism.
These notorious villains ambush many an artist, sabotaging creativity. But like David who defeated Goliath, we can conquer seeming insurmountable obstacles through courage, heart, and strategic action.
In today’s issue, we’ll explore common creative barriers and equip you with heroic strategies to overcome them.
You’ll discover how masters like Stephen King and Elizabeth Gilbert slay perfectionism, how J.K. Rowling battled self-doubt, and why filmmaker Ava DuVernay urges collaborating with fellow artists.
I’ll provide you a blueprint for breaking through whatever stands between you and your ‘highest creative potential.’ With practical steps, empowering mindsets, and wisdom from seasoned creators, you’ll gain the tools to defeat doubt, kickstart momentum, and craft an amazing creative life.
The obstacles may seem daunting, but remember — you were born for this. Heroes are not born, but forged through tests of persistence and resilience.
Now, let’s get started...
Fear. Self-doubt. Perfectionism.
These hurdles haunt even the most seasoned artists and creatives. Take acclaimed novelist John Green, for example. Early in his career, crippling self-doubt almost prevented the world from experiencing his unique stories.
“I spent a lot of years being too afraid to try because I was afraid that I would fail,” he once admitted. At times, he convinced himself he didn’t have anything worthwhile to say.
Yet even after finding success, the obstacles lingered. “I remember thinking when I was writing my first book, ‘The great thing if I get the opportunity to do this again will be that I will then know how to write a book.’ Then when it came time to write my second book, I was like, ‘I have no idea how to write a book,’ Green revealed, explaining why completing novels remains a slow process for him.
But the author of beloved books like The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska pushed past those limiting beliefs. He began to share his writing, even if it meant initially to small audiences.
Green took steps — some minuscule, some monumental — releasing books, YouTube videos and podcasts. Each creation further validated his voice. Each time he powered through fear, self-doubt loosened its grip.
Momentum built as he focused not on perfection, but on the joy of storytelling. With support from a growing community, Green grew into one of this generation’s most impactful authors.
His journey highlights a key truth: our greatest dreams face obstacles, sometimes of our own making.
Fear. Doubt. Perfectionism. They often whisper that we’ll never make an impact.
But we can prove those voices wrong through courage and consistent action. We can transform barriers into catalysts for creation.
This edition of The Intentional Artist explores the common hurdles that hinder artists and creators like Green who shattered those barriers with brave perseverance. You’ll discover some practical strategies for defeating fear, doubt and perfectionism on your creative path.
The obstacles may not disappear completely. But their power fades when confronted. Connecting with a supportive community, we can march past them to create boldly.
Facing Down Fear
Fear is a primal force that has stifled creators since the dawn of time. The fear of failure or judgment can be paralyzing.
“What if my work isn’t good enough?”
“What will others think of this?”
“I’m just not talented enough to succeed.”
These anxious thoughts ring familiar to many artists. Even acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay grappled with them starting out.
DuVernay long harbored dreams of directing, but initially feared taking the leap. What if she couldn’t cut it in the rigorous film world? Her first projects were low budget music videos and indie films.
But the skilled storyteller pushed past the fear and proved her ability with critically acclaimed films like Selma. She became the first black woman nominated for an Academy Award as well as a Golden Globe.
DuVernay reflects, “I wish someone had told me that fear is a natural part of the creative process. But never let it control or stop you. The sense of reward when you face fear head-on with courage? Nothing beats it.”
Boldness triumphs over fear. These strategies can help you stare it down:
Recite daily affirmations reminding yourself of past successes and innate talents.
Visualize completing your next big goal. Imagine the pride and excitement you’ll feel.
Take small steps consistently to build confidence through momentum.
Lean on fellow artists and trusted friends for encouragement when fear strikes.
The path forward may not be clear yet. But don’t let fear fog your vision. With relentless drive, you can chart the course. The destination is within reach.
Defeating Doubt
Doubt often plagues us just when we find our creative stride. Impostor syndrome rears its head, making us question our talents or ideas.
Such self-doubt plagued author J.K. Rowling. After countless rejections from publishers, she grappled with immense doubts about her writing abilities.
Rowling recalls, “I had nothing to lose and sometimes that makes you brave enough to try.” She pushed forward, carefully crafting Harry Potter’s magical world in the small cafés of Edinburgh.
Though constantly facing doubts, Rowling found courage in the belief that her stories could transport and inspire children worldwide. Her faith in her stories drove her more than the doubt.
Rowling reflects in her renowned Harvard commencement speech, “I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me.”
Doubt may never fully fade — even for masters like Rowling. But reframing it as a sign you’re stretching and growing can help.
Strategies to defeat doubt:
Look back at your achievements so far. Even small wins indicate your capabilities.
Share work with trusted friends to reality test your doubts. Ask for genuine feedback.
Challenge limiting thoughts with affirmations of your strengths.
Focus on the work, not the doubt. Show up day after day.
With consistent effort, self-trust and confidence grows. Create fearlessly by focusing on what you can control — the craft. Your skills will only sharpen.
Avoiding Perfectionism
The pursuit of perfection can be paralyzing. As author Elizabeth Gilbert warns in her book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, “Perfectionism is just fear in really good shoes and a matching handbag.”
Chasing perfectionism slows output.
Gilbert suggests creating “something imperfect rather than nothing at all.”
Prolific creators like Stephen King echo that advice. The legendary horror writer aims for 6 completed pages daily. King describes his mindset: “Write with the door closed, rewrite with the door open. Your stuff starts out being just for you, but then it goes out.”
Perfectionists could benefit from King’s routine-driven approach. Completing work consistently trumps endless polishing.
Strategies to avoid perfectionism:
Set time limits for each project phase — don’t get bogged down perfecting early drafts.
Celebrate small daily progress to build momentum.
Share works-in-progress with trusted friends for feedback.
Remind yourself that done is better than perfect. You can always refine later.
Don’t get me wrong, striving for excellence is great, but don’t let perfectionism delay delivering your gift to the world. Stay focused on the joys of creating.
Consistent creation trumps chasing perfection.
Taking Action
“Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work,” artist Chuck Close remarked in an interview with fellow artist Joe Fig.
His words ring true. Consistent action creates success, not waiting for motivation.
Acclaimed director Ava DuVernay exemplifies this work ethic. She relentlessly emailed studios to get her foot in the door. DuVernay took meetings, made contacts, and absorbed wisdom. Her gradual progress led to huge milestones like directing Selma.
Building a creative career requires determination and small steps forward every day. What actions can you take to get unstuck?
Set a consistent schedule for your creative endeavors. Stick to it diligently.
Break large goals down into bite-sized daily progress.
Reach out to 5 industry contacts per week to expand your network.
Audit your skills to identify areas for targeted improvement. Dedicate time to enhancing your craft.
Research upcoming submission opportunities or showcases and commit to regularly apply and submit work.
Momentum fuels motivation. By diligently putting in the work, inspiration naturally follows. Tiny ripples of daily action build into waves of incredible impact over a career. Your turn to make ripples starts now.
The Power of Community
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” Helen Keller wisely stated. Keller spoke often about cooperation, writing in her book, The World I Live In, “I believe that the welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all.”
This applies to all artists. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay understands the power of community. She actively surrounds herself with supportive collaborators, mentors and networks.
DuVernay advocates that artists seek out circles that amplify their voice. She reflects, “I was able to make my first films because I met other black indie filmmakers at festivals who shared my vision.”
Look for your people — those who constructively challenge you. Some ideas:
Attend workshops or master classes to connect with fellow creators.
Join online communities tailored to your craft, like art, photography or writing groups. Here’s a great one to look into: The Artpreneur Society.
Participate in co-working spaces or residency programs.
Find a mentor whose work inspires yours. Reach out and ask for fifteen minutes of their time.
Form your own “mastermind” peer group for accountability and brainstorming.
You need not walk alone. With a strong support network, you can build upon the shoulders of those ahead and pull those behind up with you.
The Path Forward
Fear, doubt and perfectionism may slow us down, but armed with wisdom and action, we can march past them.
Take the next step, no matter how small. Build momentum with daily progress. Support and learn from your community. Have faith in your gifts, even when others don’t see them yet.
Your creations add beauty and meaning at a time when we need it most. Onward with courage.
As Steven Pressfield notes in The War of Art, “Resistance is inevitable. But we can overcome it through work.” Keep showing up.
Celebrate small progress daily. Learn from masters, but chart your own course.
Collaborate with fellow artists to go further together.
As Seth Godin points out in The Practice, “Instead of wondering if you’re good enough, you take yourself seriously enough to persist.”
Use your tools — paint brushes, cameras, pens, voices, instruments — to boldly create.
The world needs what only you can make. Every time you muster the courage to create, you transform yourself and those around you.
We each play a part by contributing our art consistently. Don’t leave your gifts locked away. Let your creations speak for themselves. Stay on the path long enough and momentum builds.
From Theory to Action
We’ve explored common obstacles that can potentially hinder growth and success as an artist, as well as strategies to overcome them. But without consistent action, these remain just theories. As the saying goes, “no action, no traction.”
Now let’s recap the key actions you can take to put what we learned into practice. Remember, don’t just read this — act on it.
Progress and momentum come from taking steps daily, however small. Action transforms theories into tangible growth.
To defeat Fear:
Recite daily affirmations about your talents.
Visualize achieving your next big goal.
Take small, consistent actions to build confidence.
Lean on fellow artists for support and encouragement.
To overcome Doubt:
Review past achievements and wins, no matter how small.
Share works-in-progress to get constructive feedback.
Replace limiting thoughts with empowering affirmations.
Keep your focus on the work, not the doubt.
To avoid Perfectionism:
Set time budgets for each project phase.
Celebrate small daily progress.
Share unfinished work to get helpful input.
Remind yourself done is better than perfect.
To build Momentum:
Commit to a consistent creation schedule.
Break large goals into daily bite-sized tasks.
Make incremental progress in your skills.
Regularly submit work to opportunities.
To foster Community:
Attend workshops and classes.
Join online groups aligned to your craft.
Participate in co-working or residency programs.
Find peers and mentors for accountability.
Now that you’re armed with strategies and actions to overcome obstacles, what small step will you take today?
As Elizabeth Gilbert posits, “Creativity requires courage, and courage requires creativity.” Progress begins with your very next act of courageous creation.
That’s it for this issue of The Intentional Artist.
As always, if this resonated or was of help, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Artfully yours,
Chris
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great post - little steps and pushing through the doubts is a daily task. For me the communication and networking side is my nemesis - too much discouragement makes it difficult for me to reappear from the pile of rubble each time. Hence the reason I’ m making a point of responding to your post - to get back out there and NETWORK! Thanks for taking the time to write and share ! Alex
Alex, thank you so much for the restacks… it is very much appreciated. 🙏🏻💫