Getting out of our own way.

“Basically, your fear is like a mall cop who thinks he’s a Navy SEAL: He hasn’t slept in days, he’s all hopped up on Red Bull, and he’s liable to shoot at his own shadow in an absurd effort to keep everyone “safe.”

~ Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic

Sometimes, the only thing standing in our way is ourselves. To be precise, a particular part of ourselves, the part that is driven by fear, the part which likes to sabotage things so that it can keep us safe.

This part, namely the amygdala, (or the lizard brain as Seth Godin calls it, or Resistance as Steven Pressfield calls it, or simply the fear centre), hasn't evolved much over the last 10,000 years and it perceives any change in the status quo as a physical threat to our survival.

And once it's activated and incharge, it can create havoc over any initiative, project or creative endeavour that might make things better for us and others.

As creatives and leaders, it is beneficial to be aware of this phenomenon, and to deactivate and pacify the amygdala by making it feel safe and sure that we're okay, and to keep doing the work that matters.

PS. My latest podcast episode is here in which I talk about coffee chats and possibility. Do check it out.