On Monday evening, I attended a reading and Q & A session by author, Elizabeth Gilbert. She is a fantastic speaker, who infuses humor, intellect and insight in what she articulates. Days after listening to her, the impact of her words lingered in my head. Although some of her advise centered on pursuing the arts, her wisdom carries power for the everyday. Here is what I learned:
1. DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR PASSION EVERYDAY. FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY.
Elizabeth bluntly stated that it is impossible to follow your passion everyday. Instead, she encouraged others to “follow their curiosity.” This is something you can feel everyday. By turning your head, looking around and paying attention you may discover something or nothing. Pursuing curiosity is not only practical, but possible. Her final words on the subject were simple, but memorable. “Live a curious life.”
2. BRING YOUR BEST SELF TO WORK.
An audience member asked Elizabeth about her writing rituals and whether she woke up and started writing in her pajamas. She emphatically said, “No.” Her ritual: she brings her best self to work. Even as a writer, she dresses up to write or type in her office.
3. ASK YOURSELF: WHAT DID I COME TO DO ?
If you want to write, write. If you want to ________, do ___________. You have to sit through your own boredom to determine why you have entered the world and what is you want to do.
4. FEAR AND CREATIVITY ARE CONJOINED TWINS.
You have to accept that fear will accompany every project. Having a conversation with fear and accepting that it is a part of the process, alleviates the stress of trying to wish it away. This advice applies to any kind of life uncertainty or change. Fear is an underlying element and understanding that it is a part of the road trip might help the angst of challenges that may come in any pursuit.
5. YOU DON’T NEED A PERMISSION SLIP FROM ANYONE.
Elizabeth states that she came from a family where people tended not to ask permission to pursue their interests. If you want to write, you don’t need approval from others to pursue your artistic endeavor. If you wait for permission from your mother or husband or sister, it may never come. So what or who are you waiting for?
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Nice post , rudri!
Thanks, Michele. Hope you are doing well.
Curiosity often leads to passions we weren’t aware of.
Thanks for sharing.
There is so much truth in that statement, Susan. I think the fact that curiosity can happen even when we are dealing with our practical life makes it more appealing and accessible.
Great advice! Thank you for sharing 🙂
These are all outstanding lessons! Especially #2 and #5; I think we’re quick to bring our baggage and negativity into our work and that effects us negatively. Likewise, I feel we’re always seeking approval – I’m guilty of this as well but thankfully, my partner is highly supportive of my 10000x interests and is always just pushing me to go for it without looking back. It’s awesome! Love these tips and thanks for sharing Rudri! Have a great weekend -Iva
Another writer once told me that the most important tool in a creative person’s life is having a supportive spouse. I am glad to hear that is a part of your landscape.
Sometimes bringing your best self requires a discipline that needs to happen physically as well as emotionally. I struggle with this at times, but am getting better.
As always, a pleasure to see your insights in my space. Thanks, Iva!
Great share!!
Thanks, Mari. Glad it resonated with you.
How wonderful that you got to meet her, Rudri, and you did a great job of distilling the important points. I took away some good lessons, in particular the one about bringing your best self to work. I used to do that for the outside company I worked for, but I realized I no longer do now that I work for myself.
So sorry to have been out of touch! I am going to catch up today on your blog 🙂
I find that with every author talk I attend I receive some new helpful information, both for my creative and practical life. I composed this post to help me as well. When I am stuck in my writing, it helps to have a tangible reminder that I can reflect upon and gain a much needed push in moving forward.
I appreciate all of the time you’ve spent commenting. It really means so much. xoxo
These were great tips. I’m torn with #2. Sometimes I think I should do that, because I definitely see the importance of showing up in ever way…with our best, but other times, the side that wants to stay in my pajamas wins out. Ha ha! Great tips!
I agree, Topaz. Sometimes you have to go with what will just get you to the chair. If that means pajamas, so be it. Best self can also mean whatever works for you.
Love Elizabeth Gilbert and love these tips. Pinning for later when I need inspiration. Thanks.
Welcome Leah!
Glad that you enjoyed the lessons. Her TED talks are quite informative and insightful as well.
My curious led me to starting my blog 🙂
Lapaka,
What an awesome way to channel your curiosity. Thanks for commenting.
I absolutely loved this. Number 5 especially – as in, I think I shall print it out and put it on my fridge. My 44th birthday is next week and I feel like I’m coming to that place where I can finally do this – write my own permission slip. Thanks for sharing this! Wish I could have seen her in person but this was great!
Jennifer,
I ended with that lesson because I think it is one that we are quick to forget. Elizabeth said that she didn’t wait to get permission from anyone to pursue her creative life – she said she witnessed this philosophy from her parents and her family. If they wanted to pursue a goal, they just went for it.
If you ever have a chance to see her in person, don’t miss it. I am so glad that I attended.
Thanks for your insights.
Oh, I just love her! Thank you for sharing such wonderful takeaways from your time spent listening to her speak.
I love #1 and I agree. I love to follow my passion but it isn’t realistically a 24/7 thing. And the fear/creativity as conjoined twins really fascinates me.
Tamara,
Have you read her recent book, A Signature of all Things? I haven’t had a chance to delve into it, but the premise of it sounds so interesting.
I like that curiosity has a built-in flexibility.
Elizabeth Gilbert is one of my favorite authors; I really love her writing style. I love her advice to follow our curiosity. That’s a really good piece of advice. 🙂
I love that she offers different advice at every venue that she attends. If you are interested in more of her wisdom, her TED talks are excellent.
This was really great! I especially love her point in #1 on passion vs. curiosity. So insightful.
Thanks, Nina. Glad you enjoyed her lessons. The insight regarding curiosity appears to resonate with so many.
Good advice 🙂