Joe Scarffe
Take chances. Well, it’s easier said than done, right? Taking chances involves getting really uncomfortable – taking yourself right out of the comfort zone and saying hello to that old friend, fear.
When was the last time you were scared?
And I don’t mean ‘Oh that was uncomfortable, I’m glad that’s over’ scared, I mean that scared where you get boiling hot and feel like you are going to puke out of your eyeballs scared.
Not for a while?
In that case, maybe it’s time you take chances. No, really.
Amy Poehler once said that: ‘being scared is the closest you are going to get to feel alive’, and I’d have to agree (I’m probably biased though, she was the central pillar of Parks & Recreation after all).
All of the best things that I have achieved in my life have always come with me asking me that question “Oh crap, should I be doing this?!” at the start.
My point really is to say that in my view, this shouldn’t ever change when it comes to choosing your next project or opportunity.
Now, there is some method to my madness, I weigh up my decisions of course but I do believe that you know in your heart what is right and what your calling is.
You have to think, as a child how many things were new, exciting, and scary? For me as a boy lucky enough to run around the urban landscape of Essex that feeling existed, daily.
So why then the older we get do we put constant barriers in the way which cloud our focus? To take chances is often parallel to the thought of jumping off a cliff – and it shouldn’t be.
To take chances is to put everything you know to the test, to give yourself a challenge, to push yourself out of those boundaries that often causes us to go stale.
Naturally, we have more responsibilities, relationships to manage, and aspirations -but wait- aspirations?
Who’s decided what they are?
Us?
The Ad man?
Who?
That for me is the red hot poker that prods me on a daily basis.
So then to my crescendo… as a creative you have already had a journey discovering what your calling is. Therefore, to water down what you love, through a lack of focus and not pushing yourself to the next stage of development, makes absolutely no sense. Plus, it’s sad.
On Crazy Animal Face, we were lucky to interview a good friend of ours, Fred Deakin (of Lemon Jelly fame) and he said something that will always stick with me.
“Between the ages of 20-30 years old try everything, don’t say no. Get as many experiences as you can, cut the things you find that you don’t like out and keep the things you love in”.
The takeaway, therefore, is this… focus every day as a creative is essential, and by focussing on your progression and pushing yourself to collaborate, explore and learn more you can’t fail. Take chances – no really, grab them, and make sure you’re constantly pushing yourself.
At the end of the day – you’re the one who has control over your life. What do you want to remember?
Take chances, and find out.
Thanks to Paul Gosling from Crazy Animal Face for this awesome guest post. They ask creatives in the music, art & film how & why they do what they do.
If you want to get your smile on then to check out Crazy Animal Face via their website, Twitter and Facebook.
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