What one of Hollywood’s most original minds can teach us about fear, failure, and finding your flow.

I recently listened to this interview Joe Rogan did with Robert Rodriguez and it really struck a chord with me. There is so much awesome advice in this interview—it’s just crazy! It’s a must-listen for artists (including writers, directors, musicians, etc.) and anyone else who wants to live a more creative life.

Here is my summary of the top lessons from the interview:

1.) Get some practice in (and have fun while you’re doing it).
Learn the ropes of your craft (and industry) by doing projects that allow you to practice your skills. These projects don’t have to be big or fancy—just something you can use as a stepping stone to build your expertise.

2.) You can’t wait to be ready.
If you wait for the “right” time or opportunity, you’ll never feel ready. Fear forward—being a bit scared at the beginning of a project is normal, but use that fear to propel you forward. So start moving! (Which reminds me of a great Doris Lessing quote: “Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible.”)

3.) Be a conduit for the “creative spirit.”
Don’t get in the way of your creativity—let it flow through you. All you need to do is start writing. The story will eventually come together as you go. To let that happen, you need to get your ego out of the way and show up every day to write. It’s not about you; it’s about letting the stories out. Think of yourself as the conduit through which the creative work is made. You didn’t do it—you were just the vessel, the instrument, the pipe through which it came.

4.) If you call yourself an “aspiring” writer, you will always just be aspiring.
That becomes your identity. Stop aspiring! Change your identity—call yourself a writer, and then live up to that.

5.) Success can come out of failure.
Go back and look at something you had a real instinct for that didn’t work. Sift through the ashes—you might discover it wasn’t a failure at all. Maybe you just needed a boost of confidence, or maybe you’ll find the keys to your next success. Also, not all creative work leads to success, and that’s okay.

6.) It is impossible to know what will turn out to be successful.
So don’t waste time trying to predict it. Instead, commit to a body of work and keep creating. Don’t be precious about your work. Follow your instinct and keep going. “Don’t blink. Keep making shit and commit to a body of work.”

7.) Live a creative life.
Apply creativity to everything you do. It enriches your life and the lives of those around you. If you’re creative all the time, you’ll always be in a flow state—ready to make something. (And you’ll also become more authentic as an artist when you live like this.)

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I hope this helps you in your creative endeavours!

Cheers, MK.