Writing FAST - Jeff Bollow 2012

Use your fear to find it
Capture your idea
Focus

If you already know your “one single sentence” — if you can already crystallize it — don’t complicate it. Sometimes it’s just that simple. Take it and run with it.

But sometimes it’s really not that simple. You feel like you couldn’t capture your idea if your life depended on it.

When you really struggle — when it gets painful — you’ve got to look in a different place entirely. Because your idea is hiding.

It’s hiding behind your fear.

Fear can be a valuable emotion. But we need to understand something about fear. It’s a physiological electro-chemical process in your brain. It’s there to make sure you survive life-threatening situations.

And I gotta tell ya something.

Nothing about writing is life-threatening. Nothing.

Your computer is never going to attack you. I promise. Well, maybe some day, as part of a virtual reality game or something. But even then, it won’t happen while you’re writing.

And even if your writing is the worst, most atrocious string of words ever to grace the page (which would be interesting in itself), you’re still not going to die from it.

And even if everyone who reads it hates it, you’ll still be breathing. So you’ll pick yourself up, and try again. No worries.

But notice the fear. When you’re afraid of something, it’s a sign. It’s the biggest clue your brain will ever give you. It’s telling you exactly what you need to do. Your brain is saying, “I’m terrified, because if you pursue this idea, I’ll have to live up to it.”

“Do what you fear most.” Let that be your personal mantra. We only fear what we don’t know or understand. So when you tackle a fear head-on, you’ll conquer it every time.

Same with your ideas. Actively follow the fear. Pursue it. If you’re afraid of something, or you resist it, chances are, the idea you’re trying to capture is hiding underneath.

Fear is a diversionary tactic your brain uses to stay lazy.

Call its bluff.