Creative Potential

Josh Peck, a multi-talented creative, has achieved great success in the world of entertainment. He has graced the screens of hit movies and TV shows, authored the bestselling memoir "Happy People Are Annoying," hosted popular podcasts, and cultivated social media platforms that entertain and engage millions. During a recent interview, I asked him about the key to his success, and he shared an insightful quote from prolific YouTuber and entrepreneur Casey Neistat: "The right time is always right now."

Peck underscored the fact that there are no longer any gatekeepers preventing individuals from achieving creative success. You no longer need to reside in a coastal city or have an agent or manager to make your mark in the creative field. With the power of modern technology, even a reasonable smartphone provides the video capability needed to create content. The essential step, as Peck emphasizes, is to start. It's the act of commencing your creative journey that truly matters.

Far too often, individuals embark on a creative endeavor only to stall themselves in the following months. They get caught in their own web of excuses. They convince themselves that they need a better camera, improved editing skills, or additional knowledge acquired through books or courses. While education is invaluable, many people stumble and fall because they never take that initial step.

In today's digital age, we are constantly exposed to individuals who possess top-notch equipment, editing finesse, and profound knowledge. Scrolling through a social media feed, we encounter countless experts displaying their finest work. When we compare our humble beginnings to these expert-level creations, we find the gap seemingly insurmountable. This comparison can lead to overwhelming self-doubt, perfectionism, and an inability to start. We become engrossed in equipment research, play with logos, or discuss plot twists for novels, all while the project itself remains untouched.

What's crucial to understand is that the experts we admire and compare ourselves to started just like us. Their initial work was nowhere near the polished creations we now see. They likely began with limited skills and faced their own struggles. However, the key difference between those who succeed and those who do not is that the former group decided to begin.

Josh Peck, recounting his own journey, acknowledges that his YouTube channel was far from impressive during its first year. This period served as research and development, allowing him to identify what wasn't working. He found that the crucial factor for creative success was being true to oneself. In the words of his acting teacher, "Embrace your sparkle." This honesty about who you are and what you wish to convey is the driving force behind authentic creativity.

To find your own creative voice, you might initially imitate others. Joan Didion, the acclaimed author, famously typed out Ernest Hemingway's novels to understand the flow and rhythm of well-crafted sentences. However, through continual practice and writing, she eventually found her unique voice, reaching millions with her work.

Another roadblock to creative output is the elusive concept of inspiration. Tara Schuster, bestselling author of "Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies" and "Glow in the F*cking Dark," dispels the myth of needing inspiration to write. She asserts that waiting for inspiration is an unsustainable approach. Instead, she views writing as a habit, a daily practice, rather than a mysterious and magical process. By focusing on the practice, she eliminates the pressure to create something "good" or "interesting."

The act of writing is about showing up, doing your best in that moment, and letting others decide the quality of your work. This perspective allows Schuster to be consistently productive and eliminates the self-imposed barriers that can stifle creativity.

So, what's the story you want to tell? What kind of art or business do you wish to create? Regardless of your endeavor, the time to start is now. Set the bar low initially—write just fifty words or research "how to make a business plan"—but get started. Then continue the next day and the next. Remarkable novels have been written in stolen half-hours before children wake up, and groundbreaking products have been born during one-hour lunchtime sessions. You already possess everything you need. Your initial output may not be perfect, but rest assured it will improve with time. You will learn by doing, and one day, you'll look back with gratitude to the person you are this week—the one who finally put pen to paper or clicked open their computer. Now is the perfect time to begin your creative journey.