17 Dec 2025 · 1 min
David Bayles and Ted Orland argue that fear and doubt are normal signals you're doing real creative work. Quantity comes before quality. Show up to the work itself, not to the reception it gets.
Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to Heroic Wisdom Daily. Today's book Art and Fear by David Bales and Ted Orland. An honest, inspiring guide to the inner challenges of the creative life and how to keep making art despite self doubt, fear and resistance. And by art we mean your best life. Here's your one minute summary. Fear is part of creating. Doubt, insecurity and criticism don't mean you're on the wrong path. They mean you're doing real work. Make lots of work. Quantity leads to quality. You grow by producing, not by waiting for perfection. The process is yours. Focus on the work, not on how it's received. Your job is to show up and create. Art is made by ordinary people. You don't need permission or talent, just courage, persistence and honesty. And uncertainty is the path. You don't need to know where it's going. Keep going anyway. Courage isn't creating without fear, it's creating with it. So what will you make today? As always, check out the app for more. Hope you enjoy this note One of my favorite exercises and studies ever. £50 equals an A. Check it out.
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