Avoiding The Blank Canvas

In the War of Art, Steven Pressfield shares an interesting take on Hitler. Here it is, "You know, Hitler wanted to be an artist. At eighteen he took his inheritance, seven hundred drones, and moved to Vienna to live and study. He applied to the Academy of Fine Arts and later to the School of Architecture. Ever see one of his paintings? Neither have I. Resistance beat him. Call it overstatement but I'll say it anyway: it was easier for Hitler to start World War II than it was for him to face a blank square of canvas"

Hitler was not prepared for how intimidating the blank canvas was going to be. It was sitting in front of him, waiting to be brought into existence. Why do we walk away from the things that are blank, the book, the plan, the project, the challenge, the business, or life? Do we feel we are not the person to bring it into existence? Not us, it just isn't in us. We can't identify with the creating of this 'thing' that nips at our heels begging for existence. 

Is it because we care what others will think? We disapprove of ourselves so greatly that we can't manage to give ourself permission to pursue our genius. Because that is exactly what we are, pure genius at that 'thing' inside of us. And we hear ourselves apologizing to anyone that will listen for thinking we had the right to care about this 'thing'. 

Be daring, brave enough to tell the world - about your deep desires and ambitions, because the people that pay attention to your telling we'll be the ones to help you fulfill them. 

(Image above is a Painting by Hitler)