We creatives seem to be particularly prone to self-doubt, losing focus, and generally being a willie-nilly-scaredy-cat when it comes to change. All of these things lead down a dark path to one thing—loss of creative passion. Shane Austin talks about ways we can improve our work by exploring the unknown, learning from failures, sharpening our gut and taking on risks.

1. Hugging Tigers and
Herding House Cats
or, 13 principles that help creatives overcome fear.
Shane Austin | @scdaustin

2. I am Shane.
I design things for people.
I care deeply about their relationships.
I like being close to their pains and problems.
I learn, think and act to solve them.

3. Me in 1977 - the year that Star Wars was
released. Disco, bell bottoms and bad hair.

4. Fear

5. Fear

6. 6 steps to unthinking response

7. Fear Self-test

8. Arachnophobia

9. Necrophobia

10. Glossophobia

11. Fear of Flying

12. feels more like this

13. Felinophobia

14. Germophobia

15. Coulrophobia (or Elmostisism?)

16. You’re fucked.

17. 13

18. Self-Hacking
def : practice of collecting one's data for the purpose of self-
improvement. It involves data analysis, data visualization,
pattern-spotting and ultimately finding ways of adjusting one's
behavior.

19. Self-Hacking
The Quantified Self
Tracking→Analysis→Patterns→Treatment

20. Everything from Journals, to AA, to Weight Watchers to
Wearable Computing Devices

21. Fear-Hacking
def : the practice of understanding one’s fears and anxieties and
using simple, holistic principles to overcome them for the purpose
of self-improvement.

22. 1. Sharing
Ideas die quickly—release them and see them grow.

24. 2. Collaboration
Sharing on steroids—a creative process is more robust and resilient.

26. 3. Perseverance
2 step plan—VISION + STEP

28. 4. Accountability
Leverage ‘good fear’—you won’t fail your inner circle.

30. 5. Facing it
Fear is self-created and powerless—slow down, there’s a false belief ahead.

32. 6. Change
Celebrate change as an adventure—create safety so change is positive.

34. 7. Inertia
Follow the fear—look into the wave for a take off point.

36. 8. Screw Up
Demystify fear of failure—build on a base of bad work.

38. 9. Reality Check
Don’t overestimate negative consequences—be a realist.

40. 10. The Resistance
Beware of the Lizard Brain—conquer fear to find your passion.

42. 11. Apologies
Be open about your fuck ups—confidence and ownership is leadership.

44. 12. Indulge
Have your chocolate cake—create safe places where you can play, fail & learn.

46. 13. Urgency
Don’t leave an invisible legacy—you have no reason not to face fears, pursue
ideas and follow your heart.

48. “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important
tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in
life. Because almost everything — all external expectations,
all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things
just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly
important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best
way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something
to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to
follow your heart.”

49. Resources & Inspiration
NY Times article: Fear Itself
Rita Carpenter: Mapping The Mind
Self-Hacking: Self-Knowledge & Data Literacy
How To Hack Your Brain
The Quantified Self