281. E.R.A.S.E. F.E.A.R. and Finish Your Creative Projects

<p>In fifteen years as a self-employed creator, I’ve learned how to <a href="https://kadavy.net/blog/posts/finish-what-matters/">finish what matters</a>. I follow a nine-step process that makes an easy-to-remember acronym, that also describes what this process does: E.R.A.S.E. F.E.A.R.</p> <h3>Fear is Resistance</h3> <p>Fear is at the root of most struggles to finish creative projects. Even when you think you’re merely getting interested in another project, that’s often fear masquerading as curiosity. Steven Pressfield calls it Resistance. It can cause the dreaded <a href= "https://kadavy.net/blog/posts/shiny-object-syndrome/">shiny object syndrome</a>.</p> <p>But if you can break down most of the sources of fear, you can clear the way for decisive action. You can erase fear.</p> <h3>The E.R.A.S.E. F.E.A.R process</h3> <p>First, what does “erase fear” stand for?</p> <ol> <li><strong><em>E</em>nvision</strong> the outcome</li> <li><strong><em>R</em>ehearse</strong> the process</li> <li><strong><em>A</em>sk</strong> questions</li> <li><strong><em>S</em>earch</strong> for answers</li> <li><strong><em>E</em>njoy</strong> the process</li> <li><strong><em>F</em>ace</strong> the obstacles</li> <li><strong><em>E</em>nd</strong> perfectionism</li> <li><strong><em>A</em>ssess</strong> the outcome</li> <li><strong><em>R</em>ecord</strong> the process</li> </ol> <p>A little more about each of those.</p> <p><strong>1. Envision the outcome.</strong> If you have a clear picture of the outcome you want, you can reverse-engineer your way to making it happen.</p> <p>Executing visions is a skill to work on, because we usually have a vision that outpaces our current abilities and resources. To get better at envisioning, work on your vision muscle. Practice having a vision, then carrying it out. You do this every time you cook a recipe or plan a party.</p> <p>Write down the outcome you’d like to see. Use the methodology I described on <a href= "https://kadavy.net/blog/posts/avocado-challenge/">episode 245</a>, about the avocado chall