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Elizabeth Gilbert Talks “Big Magic” — Fear, Failure, & the Mystery of Creativity

Marie Forleo・48 minutes read

MarieTV features Elizabeth Gilbert discussing creativity and living a fulfilling life, with insights on embracing fear, pursuing personal joy in creativity, and enduring challenges on the path to one's true purpose, without succumbing to financial pressures. The conversation also delves into the importance of balancing childlike wonder with mature responsibility in creative pursuits, emphasizing the value of finishing projects over seeking perfection and embodying the playful trickster rather than the suffering martyr in the creative process.

Insights

  • Elizabeth Gilbert emphasizes the importance of embracing fear as a necessary companion in creativity, advocating for respect rather than conquering it.
  • The conversation delves into the balance between childlike wonder and mature responsibility in pursuing creative endeavors, highlighting the necessity of financial stability alongside creative passion to prevent its murder by financial pressures.

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Recent questions

  • How does Elizabeth Gilbert view fear in creativity?

    Gilbert views fear as a necessary companion in creativity, not to be conquered but respected. She believes that fear is often rooted in self-doubt and should be acknowledged rather than ignored. By accepting fear as a natural part of the creative process, individuals can learn to coexist with it and continue creating despite its presence.

  • What does Elizabeth Gilbert emphasize in creativity?

    Gilbert emphasizes personal expression over novelty in creativity. She believes that originality should stem from authenticity and personal joy rather than solely aiming to impress or serve others. By focusing on genuine self-expression, individuals can create meaningful and fulfilling work that resonates with their true selves.

  • How does Elizabeth Gilbert approach financial stability in creativity?

    Gilbert advocates for maintaining financial stability through day jobs while pursuing creative goals. She highlights the importance of not solely relying on creativity for financial support to prevent its murder by financial pressures. By balancing financial stability with creative pursuits, individuals can continue to create without the burden of financial stress.

  • What is the significance of being childlike in creativity according to Elizabeth Gilbert?

    Gilbert believes that being childlike in wonder and openness is crucial for creativity. However, she also emphasizes the necessity of maturity to navigate the real world effectively. By combining childlike wonder with mature responsibility, individuals can approach their creative endeavors with a balanced and holistic mindset.

  • How does Elizabeth Gilbert differentiate between the martyr and the trickster in creativity?

    Gilbert distinguishes between the martyr, embodying sanctity and heaviness that can break an individual, and the trickster, representing playfulness and subversion in creativity. She rejects the idea of suffering for art and encourages embracing the trickster within oneself. By trusting the universe, engaging in playful experimentation, and avoiding unnecessary suffering, individuals can lead a more enjoyable and fulfilling creative life.

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Summary

00:00

"MarieTV: Creativity, Fear, and Authenticity"

  • MarieTV episode contains adult language, so headphones are advised if children are present.
  • Marie Forleo hosts MarieTV, a platform for creating a fulfilling business and life.
  • Elizabeth Gilbert, a bestselling author, discusses living a creative life.
  • Gilbert wrote for various publications before her successful books.
  • "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" is Gilbert's latest book.
  • Fear is a common obstacle to creativity, often rooted in self-doubt.
  • Gilbert views fear as a necessary companion, not to be conquered but respected.
  • Originality vs. authenticity: Gilbert emphasizes personal expression over novelty.
  • Creativity should stem from personal joy, not solely to serve others.
  • Gilbert's art is a personal endeavor, distinct from her charitable efforts.

11:18

Balanced Pursuit: Creativity, Responsibility, and Financial Stability

  • The author's book unintentionally impacted people's lives positively, stemming from her personal journey of seeking grace and resurrection.
  • Love eventually translates into help, emphasizing the importance of loving what you do and who you're with to radiate positivity.
  • Pursuing one's true purpose involves being willing to endure the challenges that come with it, referred to as "shit sandwiches."
  • The author's dedication to writing despite facing rejection and criticism highlights the necessity of enduring hardships in pursuing one's passion.
  • The concept of "shit sandwiches" applies to various aspects of life, indicating the need to assess whether the challenges are worth the pursuit.
  • Having day jobs while working towards creative goals is a common path, ensuring financial stability before creative endeavors can support oneself.
  • The author emphasizes the importance of not solely relying on creativity for financial support to prevent its murder by financial pressures.
  • Being childlike in wonder and openness is crucial for creativity, but maturity is necessary to navigate the real world effectively.
  • The author advocates for a balanced approach, combining childlike wonder with mature responsibility in pursuing creative endeavors.
  • The conversation around pursuing creative passions often lacks discussions on financial responsibility and the need for a balanced approach.

22:24

Embracing Imperfection: Speaker's Journey to Success

  • The speaker expresses gratitude for guidance that has led to smart choices.
  • They discuss the impact of difficult choices on long-term outcomes.
  • The conversation shifts to the speaker's process as a speaker.
  • The speaker shares their preference for writing over speaking.
  • Initially, the speaker struggled with public speaking and read speeches from a paper.
  • They transitioned to a more engaging speaking style by telling stories.
  • The speaker reveals the extensive preparation and memorization required for a significant speech.
  • They emphasize the importance of embodying dignity and composure while speaking.
  • The speaker highlights the value of finishing projects over seeking perfection.
  • Perfectionism is discussed as a hindrance to starting and completing tasks.

33:08

"Commitment to Writing: Embrace Imperfection, Finish Projects"

  • The speaker made a commitment to the universe to be a writer, not necessarily a good one.
  • They asked for help from faeries and geniuses to improve their writing.
  • Another commitment was to finish their novel and not leave it incomplete.
  • Anticipating criticism, the speaker challenged future critics to write their own book.
  • The speaker emphasized the importance of finishing a project over perfection.
  • Self-forgiveness was highlighted as crucial to overcoming creative hurdles.
  • Failure was discussed, emphasizing the need to continue creating despite setbacks.
  • The speaker shared a story of someone who felt betrayed by inspiration after a failed project.
  • The concept of holding contradictory ideas simultaneously was explored, focusing on the importance of balancing creativity.
  • The distinction between being a martyr and a trickster in creativity was discussed, with an emphasis on rejecting the idea of suffering for art.

43:54

"Martyr vs Trickster: Embracing Playful Creativity"

  • The concept of the martyr is likened to Sir Thomas Moore, embodying sanctity and heaviness that can break an individual, while the trickster, exemplified by Bugs Bunny, represents playfulness, subversion, and a transgressive approach to life and art.
  • Art is described as a means of turning things upside down, looking at them sideways, and de-sanctifying the holy, with even sacred art incorporating elements of playfulness and questioning traditional beliefs.
  • Embracing the trickster within oneself involves trusting the universe, engaging in playful experimentation, and avoiding the heaviness and suffering often associated with creativity, ultimately leading to a more enjoyable and fulfilling way of living and creating.
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