Make More Art: Learning to Walk

Learning to Walk

Nobody falls out of the womb knowing how to walk. We’re helpless, speechless, reckless, persistent and curious. We hit our heads against walls, cry when it hurts, and set out on our next adventure to discover the world. It isn’t long before our parents can’t take us to restaurants, are sleep-deprived, and getting a workout from chasing us around.

My friend, Sarah Peck, told me a story about her son who was learning how to walk. He tried for an hour and at the end of the hour, he threw his arms up in frustration. Leo was determined, and Sarah said, “Of course you’re tired. You’ve been at that for an hour.”

You become prolific the same way Leo Learned to walk. You try; you go the point of exhaustion; throw your arms up in frustration; and start over when you regain your energy.

The Fear that Paralyzes Us The Most

The greatest fear that we have to manage as creators is how the audience responds. And for most of us, the audience isn’t just the people who listen to our music or read our books. It’s mom, dad, brothers and sisters, and that family member who thinks your art is a waste of your education.

I’ve taken that last family member off the guestlist for the wedding I haven’t planned.