I listened to this great podcast on WTF last week. I have all these notes on my chalkboard and the title to this post saved in blogger, so I thought it was about time that I write this blog post and erase the board.
Ben Sidran and Marc Maron together had some amazing insights. I think you should listen to it if you have the inclination. It was one of those conversations that I felt privileged to listen in on. I was almost glad that I couldn’t chime in and get it off the rails because the words were things I needed to hear. Here’s some of my takeaways:
Marc said that he never wants to take the gig.
I can’t agree with this inkling more. Every time an opportunity is presented the fear creeps in. What if I can’t pull it off? Am I going to hate this? Dread. It was so refreshing to hear two creatives in fields that I’m not in (music and comedy) express this notion. It makes me feel normal. I very rarely let fear stop me from showing up, but knowing that it doesn’t totally go away in some strange way gives it less power for me.
Ben was talking about how blowing on an instrument for hours and hours doesn’t change the tube, but the player is transformed.
I love this so much. It touches me to see the beauty in any pursuit we decide to commit ourselves to. Anything we are willing to do in front of people, that we will let it all hang out, put perfectionism aside and be truly willing to fail because it’s that important to us. It could be cooking, painting, parenting, marriage, camping… Any pursuit that makes us vulnerable has the ability to touch others and transform us.
I want to remember not to hide behind the technology, not to revise, to be comfortable with my mistakes and to pick up the mouse, spatula, pliers, sander, tent, josh’s hand, a friends embrace, one more time and try it again.
There’s more in there Judaism/Americanism, sex, drugs, jazz, but I don’t want to spoil it.
image via: ben sidran
8 Comments
Colleen
September 11, 2013 at 10:55 AM"I want to remember not to hide behind the technology, not to revise, to be comfortable with my mistakes and to pick up the mouse, spatula, pliers, sander, tent, josh's hand, a friends embrace, one more time and try it again."
Love this! xo
Shelly
September 11, 2013 at 12:02 PMI am adding this to my to- listen-to list. I always love your suggests!
SuchSmallSteps
September 11, 2013 at 8:02 PMyou have no idea how much I relate to all of this right now- the fear, the commitment, the potential failure!!
Desi McKinnon
September 12, 2013 at 6:51 AMxxx
Desi McKinnon
September 12, 2013 at 6:51 AMI think you will like it.
Desi McKinnon
September 12, 2013 at 6:53 AMOh I have a pretty good idea. When I opened my shop I had people walking by everyday, watching everything we were doing, asking when we would open. It was very public and a lot of pressure.
I pulled it off and so will you. You're going to surprise yourself.
Karina
September 13, 2013 at 9:56 AMDesi, I love this. I'm cueing up the podcast now. I have that feeling every time I commit to something too. A commission, a show, I feel a bit of dread and start imagining the feeling of relief when it will be over, and I haven't even begun! It's crazy. Luckily, I still say yes. Like you say, it helps so much to have a network of friends who understand the feeling and who are there to help us keep moving through the doubt into the success. Thanks for this! xo
torrie
September 23, 2013 at 11:59 AMnot only do i want to listen to this, i need to listen… and will.
"I want to remember not to hide behind the technology, not to revise, to be comfortable with my mistakes and to pick up the mouse, spatula, pliers, sander, tent, josh's hand, a friends embrace, one more time and try it again." yes, yes, yes…………… (just started recording a couple of design shows again~ curb appeal, dear genevieve… i am so ready to pick up that sander!;))