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A fancy tool just gives the second-rater one more pillar to hide behind.
Hugh MacLeod, Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity
Have you ever fallen into the trap of thinking a new computer, paintbrush, camera lens, or (fill in the blank here) would be the solution to your creativity issues?
If you have, you’re far from alone.
Our consumerist western culture is built on the idea that happiness, love, and creativity can be purchased – a shortcut to success that bypasses hard work and cultivation. The sad part is that most of us have bought into this theory, and as we pursue artistic endeavors, we look to products rather than ourselves for the answers.
Have you ever put off writing or woodworking because you didn’t have the “right equipment”? Have you ever felt subpar because you used a PC rather than a Mac for editing pictures? These are normal occurrences that are based on lies – they’re thoughts imprinted on us by marketers trying to peddle their products.
Here are six common lies (and the corresponding truths) we tell ourselves about fancy tools (X):
| Lie | Truth |
| I can’t be creative without X. | Creativity is not contingent on the tools we own. |
| I’m not a legitimate creative without X. | If you do the creative endeavor, you are a creative. “Forget the nouns altogether. Do the verbs.” |
| I can’t succeed without X. | Tools can be helpful, but creative success is dependent on grit and hard work. “Fancy gear can help, but the truth is your tone comes from you.” |
| I’ll be special if I own X. | Things have no impact on how special you are. Anyone who views you that way has no place in your life. |
| I won’t be acknowledged if I don’t have/use X. | Let your art speak for itself. Tools don’t create art, you do. |
| I’ll be an expert at my creative endeavor if I own X. | Expertise is primarily gained through deliberate practice. |
Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with using a better tool for creative endeavors – the issue is when that tool (or lack of tool) keeps you from doing the very thing it’s supposed to help with.
If you’re not convinced that tools don’t matter, take the following examples:
- Picasso wasn’t the father of Cubist art because of a special brush.
- Michael Jordan isn’t a basketball legend because of fancy shoes.
- Ansel Adams wasn’t a famous photographer because of a specific lens.
- Shakespeare isn’t a revered writer because of a high-tech quill.
Whether you’re new to an art form or have years of experience, your focus should always be on doing. Cut out distractions, ignore ego, and fight back against consumerism. Only use tools that truly improve your experience, and never wait for tools to start creating – start now* with whatever you have!
*If your endeavor is writing, here are some tips on how to overcome writer’s block.