We all face this problem, asking ourselves the same questions every time: “What if I fail to realize this idea?” “What if this risk is not justified?” and the most common one: “What will others say?” However, it is our ideas and our creativity that make us unique. We've collected five inspirational quotes to motivate you to create and realize your wildest ideas.
History has shown that innovation breakthroughs are rarely created with caution.
— Greg Hoffman
No matter what field you are in, whether art, business, or sports, you must always be willing to take risks to achieve great results. We often treat risk and stepping out of our comfort zone as something negative, but these are the things that make your work stand out and win the hearts of others. That's why you need to learn to overcome fear and doubt by boldly implementing your ideas without giving up.
When we take risks, we often ask ourselves, “Will this risk be justified?” or “What if this is the worst failure of my life?” Even if what you are doing turns out to be a failure, it will give you the invaluable experience you would not have gained without taking this step. You can learn more about this in our Emotion by Design summary.
Let go of the thing that you're trying to be (the noun), and focus on the actual work you need to be doing (the verb).
— Austin Kleon
Often, we chase being or being called something rather than actually doing something. Imagine that you want to become an artist and focus on getting that artist status. And until someone calls you an “artist,” you might not even try to paint. However, the truth is that we don't need a special “title” to do something and develop in some area, whether it's creativity, business or hobby.
Or in another situation, being called an “artist” makes it difficult for you to present yourself as a writer or filmmaker because it seems to lack the status of “writer” and “filmmaker.” In our Keep Going summary, you'll learn how this can limit your artistic skills and how to start creating and getting great results instead of focusing on status! If you want to master creative writing or any other kind of art, you should definitely read the book Steal Like An Artist!
You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures.
— Elizabeth Gilbert
If you often get upset because of mistakes and failures, and other people's criticism makes you doubt your skills, there is a thought that can calm you down. What matters more is not constant success, but dedication to what you do and the decision to keep going no matter what. You can also find more about this in our Big Magic summary.
Let's look at the examples of many world-famous people who have experienced setbacks but never stopped believing in themselves. For instance, J.K. Rowling, the author of one of the most famous Harry Potter series, submitted the manuscript of her first book to 12 publishers and was rejected by all of them. However, when one of the publishers did pay attention to the book and gave it a chance to be published, it instantly became a bestseller.
Say 'yes' to a challenge that makes you feel uncomfortable. It's always more interesting than saying 'no'.
— Laura Jordan Bambach
For most of us, things that make us step out of our comfort zone are associated with danger or an area that we shouldn't tackle. However, such challenges can be the most interesting in our lives. To create a new painting? Write a book? Go on a trip to the other side of the world? Jump with a parachute? These and millions of similar decisions make us feel uncomfortable, but the result is always worth it!
Moreover, in the 21st century, the ability to gain new experiences and skills is much more valued than just knowledge. People used to think that we get wiser with age, but recent studies show that young people, who are much more adaptable to change, are more likely to leave their comfort zone and thus gain new experiences with a growth mindset. You can read more about this in our Creative Superpowers summary.
Do whatever brings you to life, then. Follow your fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.
— Elizabeth Gilbert
Being young, people tend to think that they have a lot of time ahead of them and will still have time to realize all their dreams. Have you ever caught yourself thinking this way? If so, you should know that such judgments can be harmful to your happiness because they make you put off your boldest ideas, incredible projects, and dreams for later. As a result, new ideas can remain dreams you didn't find time to realize.
To avoid this, remember that you only have one life, and the opportunities you give up now may never come your way again. That's why you should make the most of life right now: follow your dreams, take risky steps, and implement large-scale projects. Author Elizabeth Gilbert has described in detail how you can do this in the Big Magic book.
Each of these quotes is meant to inspire you to act and create despite any fears or obstacles. Your ideas are just ideas until you are brave enough to realize them. All the world's most famous artists started with ideas and eventually changed history forever with their creative work.
