In the Beginning

Life can be viewed as a series of beginnings - those little moments of courage that preempt us to plunging headfirst into uncharted territories. There can be great excitement in starting something new, but it’s seldom not accompanied by fear and self-doubt. 

And the great irony in all of this is that regardless of whether or not you will ‘succeed’ in your endeavor, you will certainly come out better on the other side.

So I wanted to share a few insights I’ve personally gathered over the years as a creator, to inspire others as to why it is more important to try than it is to not fail.

A few years ago I came across perhaps the most unsettling yet intriguing product I’d ever seen on the internet. The 4K Weeks Calendar. A calendar that was based on the average life expectancy of the individual and how many weeks they had to live. 4,000 boxes to check off.

I am sure there is likely some school of psychology that could talk about the harmful effects of seeing your life’s hourglass tick away so visibly, but the provocative message I got from this hit me so unexpectedly.

We all know our time is limited, but to see it so black and white on paper. It created an urge, but not an anxiety. What can we do with our time?

The Art of Creation and Being a Creator

To create is to breathe existence into something; or in slightly less prosaic terms, it’s to put a little bit of yourself out into the world. Being a creator involves tapping into your own vast reservoir of ideas, channeling them into forms that can then engage with the world. 

Whether through words, colors, or scientific discoveries, billions of humans have a profound impact on shaping culture, knowledge, and perception. This act of birthing new realities demands a certain vulnerability from us, in exposing ourselves.

"To create is to live twice." - Albert Camus

What could first appear as a throwaway ode to creativity by Camus is actually calling out the simple exponential power of the creative process. You’ve put something out there and now it takes on a life of its own.

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou

There is no end to creativity, and just like any other skill you hone it and improve it as you wield it.

"The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before." - Neil Gaiman

It’s perhaps the closest thing to magic in our universe being able to create something new. Whether it's an artistic work by Banksy or the new iPhone for the masses, putting something out there is truly an impressive act on its own accord.

The Futility of Obsessing Over What's Left Behind

I recently saw the film, "The Banshees of Inisherin" by Martin McDonagh, in which Colm Doherty faces a crisis over what he'll leave behind, and Pádraic Súilleabháin laments on the futility of it.

It’s truly a poignant reminder that life's worth is not measured solely by the legacy we leave, but also by the depth of experience we cultivate while living, as well as how we live it.

Dwelling on a future beyond our control saps the energy that could fuel meaningful beginnings. By embracing new endeavors, we defy the listlessness of being haunted by the future and engage fully in the present by acting in the now.

Don’t worry about your art generating you loads of money yet.

Don’t worry if nobody will read your Blog, or watch your YouTube channel.

The act of starting these things alone has already improved you! It doesn’t need to be perfect, and it doesn’t need to be viral. Start things for yourself, then share them with others.

Embracing the Chance: Where Trying Knows No Failure

Every endeavor, no matter the outcome, holds a wealth of lessons. 

And if there are thousands of quotes about creativity, there are millions about failing. But I’ll only mention the most famous.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take – Wayne Gretzky – Michael Scott” - Michael Scott, from The Office

I'd contemplated creating this Blog for so long despite the fact I knew loved writing, and I loved sharing experiences with others. As a lifelong mentor and mentee I've been fortunate enough to both share and hear of experiences far beyond just my own.

But I got tied down in the details. The how and the why and the when. And in truth, my only regret may simply be not having started sooner.

Because my fear of failure, was that it wasn't going to matter. But in truth, the notion of failure dissipates when we view each attempt as a triumph in itself.

Ah so your Blog or Podcast hasn’t succeeded? Consider how many people in the world haven’t even attempted what you’ve already tried.

Have you learned anything from the experience? You already know the answer to this.

Taking chances is an acknowledgment of our resilience and our capacity to learn.

The fear of failure loses its power over us when we recognize that the act of trying is, in itself, a success. We try and we fail and we grow and we come back better than we were before.

The Compelling Why: Finding Purpose in Action

"Why bother?" is a question that can cast a shadow over any motivation.

And one that can’t be universally answered if not for the glib retort, “why not?”

Every individual's journey is unique, shaped by personal passions, curiosities, and dreams. But whenever you evaluate doing or not doing something, ask yourself what are you really foregoing? What do you stand to lose?

The Takeaway

Beginnings are powerful things; they mark a runway for what can come next, but in themselves are already an achievement. 

Creation encapsulates the human spirit's boundless potential, while fretting over legacies and results can rob us of the joy inherent in living.

Taking chances fosters growth and resilience, reminding us that the act of trying itself is a victory. Ultimately, the question of "why bother" finds its answer in the richness of life's experiences, in the connections we forge, and in the legacy we create with every step forward rather than not taking any steps at all. 

So, as you stand on the threshold of deciding whether or not you’ll take a chance on something, remember that the essence of life is mostly a journey, with only one destination. And so consider that any experience had, is almost always going to hold a lesson for you.