Making something is hard.
When you do it enough, you face failure, and usually, a lot of it.
We think if we just get one thing to work, then it’s all downhill from there.
Eventually, if you keep showing up, something works.
Now you have a reputation.
With a reputation, you realize that it isn’t downhill, it’s uphill. It’s not easier; it’s harder to work.
Before, people didn’t know who you were, and now, there is an expectation. You have to fight the initial barrier to creating while making sure you don’t succumb to the weight of “expectation.”
You have to deliver! You made it happen before, do it again.
Hiding is easier because of the shadow of expectations.
However, there is an opportunity for growth with expectation. We gain muscles by working against resistance, not with it.
When there is the expectation, you can grow.
I think of expectation like a screwdriver. Like the screwdriver, the expectation is never far from any do-it-yourself (DIY) job because it gets things done. However, screwdrivers pike up. They are useful and small, so if we misplace one, we grab another to take its place. Many toolboxes have too many screwdrivers taking up space because they haven’t cleared them out.
We overload ourselves with expectations that we haven’t cleared out. It is worth the time so you can lighten your load.
After that, use the right screwdriver (expectation) to knock out the job (creative project).
Then get a bigger project.
From the desk of Adam Thomas 