Don’t Let Fear Kill Your Dream

I’m learning to not let fear get in my way. My friends have been a huge encouragement to me lately to follow my dreams. I have a tendency to think I can’t do something and I’m working to get over that.

Fears about yourself prevent you from doing your best work, while fears about your reception by others prevent you from doing your own work.” -David Bayles

I don’t believe we were meant to live in fear of what others are going to think of our work or of us. God is the one we are trying to please. I also believe in having a core group of people who love the Lord that you can go to for feedback and counsel. Accountability is important. You need people in your life to point out truth to you- the good and the bad. These trusted friends will tell you when you are doubting yourself unnecessarily or when you really do need to step back and put in more work.

However, you can’t let every critic get to you. You shouldn’t let fear of rejection and criticism stop you. I know this is all easier said than done because no one likes it when people talk badly about them or their art. However, that’s part of being an artist. Art is subjective. Some will love what you do and some will hate it. Do it anyway.

If you don’t pursue your dreams, if you let all of your excuses keep you from doing what you are supposed to do, you will regret it later. Don’t wait for the “right” time. Don’t wait until you have more money, more followers, better equipment, lose weight, etc… Do it now.

It’s ok to take a season to prepare. Hone your craft, perfect your skill, practice, study, etc… but don’t let preparation become procrastination. Don’t let perfection keep you from ever putting yourself out there. Just do it. Risk being known. Risk looking silly.

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone” ― Pablo Picasso

Here is an excerpt from Scary Close by Donald Miller-

“After Bill told me I was being too careful, I went back to the old me, the me who felt permission and grace to express his thoughts and feelings. I realized in order to have a career I was going to have to face the fans and the critics. It’s a decision we all have to make in our lives, you know, because at some point we all face the risk of being known. I knew I wouldn’t be completely accepted. The risk of being known is also the decision to be criticized by some. There are judges behind every bush. But it didn’t matter to me anymore. I couldn’t afford to be afraid to write and my soul needed to be known.”

I believe this. I believe that feeling free to express what God has given me is worth the risk of being criticized and even hated by some. I believe in my art and I know how much I’ve been blessed beyond measure by others who shared their lives, hearts, thoughts, and art with the world.

So be encouraged to be bold and do the work you’ve been gifted to do.