Hugging Tigers and Herding House Cats

or, 13 principles that help creatives overcome fear.

Shane Austin | @scdaustin

I am Shane.I design things for people.

I care deeply about their relationships.

I like being close to their pains and problems.

I learn, think and act to solve them.

Me in 1977 - the year that Star Wars was released. Disco, bell bottoms and bad hair.

Fear

Fear

6 steps to unthinking response

Fear Self-test

Arachnophobia

Necrophobia

Glossophobia

Fear of Flying

feels more like this

Felinophobia

Germophobia

Coulrophobia (or Elmostisism?)

You’re fucked.

13

Self-Hackingdef : practice of collecting one's data for the purpose of self-improvement. It involves data analysis, data visualization, pattern-spotting and ultimately finding ways of adjusting one's behavior.

Self-HackingThe Quantified Self

Tracking→Analysis→Patterns→Treatment

Everything from Journals, to AA, to Weight Watchers to Wearable Computing Devices

Fear-Hackingdef : the practice of understanding one’s fears and anxieties and using simple, holistic principles to overcome them for the purpose of self-improvement.

1. SharingIdeas die quickly—release them and see them grow.

2. CollaborationSharing on steroids—a creative process is more robust and resilient.

3. Perseverance2 step plan—VISION + STEP

4. AccountabilityLeverage ‘good fear’—you won’t fail your inner circle.

5. Facing itFear is self-created and powerless—slow down, there’s a false belief ahead.

6. ChangeCelebrate change as an adventure—create safety so change is positive.

7. InertiaFollow the fear—look into the wave for a take off point.

8. Screw UpDemystify fear of failure—build on a base of bad work.

9. Reality CheckDon’t overestimate negative consequences—be a realist.

10. The ResistanceBeware of the Lizard Brain—conquer fear to find your passion.

11. ApologiesBe open about your fuck ups—confidence and ownership is leadership.

12. IndulgeHave your chocolate cake—create safe places where you can play, fail & learn.

13. UrgencyDon’t leave an invisible legacy—you have no reason not to face fears, pursue

ideas and follow your heart.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important

tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in

life. Because almost everything — all external expectations,

all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things

just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly

important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best

way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something

to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to

follow your heart.”

Resources & InspirationNY Times article: Fear Itself

Rita Carpenter: Mapping The Mind

Self-Hacking: Self-Knowledge & Data Literacy

How To Hack Your Brain

The Quantified Self