Fear Is The Mind Killer
A Real Member of the Bene Gesserit
This morning, I was confronted with a quote from David Ogilvy: “Fear leads to self-doubt which is the worst enemy of creativity.”
I thought about it in the context of something different, the novel Dune.
Weird, right?
First off, let’s acknowledge Ogilvy’s heavyweight status in the world of advertising. The guy was a titan, known for creativity that didn’t just push the envelope but shredded it. Now, he says fear leads to self-doubt, which is creativity’s kryptonite. Why? Because creativity is like a rebellious, untamed horse — it needs freedom, not a cage of fear.
Picture this: You’re in a corporate boardroom. The stakes? High. The atmosphere? Tense. Someone pitches an idea. It’s bold, it’s fresh, it’s… terrifying. Why? Because it’s new. And what does our primal brain do with new? It freaks out. Fear kicks in, dressed as self-doubt. “What if this fails? What if I’m laughed out of the room?” Your brain becomes a pinball machine of what-ifs, and just like that, creativity gets strangled in its cradle.
Playing it safe is the most dangerous game. Creatives who changed the world — think Steve Jobs, think Warhol — didn’t do it by playing safe. They embraced risk like an old friend. They understood something crucial: failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone to it. You throw stuff at the wall, some stick, some don’t. But you don’t stop throwing.
In today’s hyper-competitive market, where your biggest competitor is a 14-year-old coding genius in her bedroom, fear is like quicksand. The more you let it grip you, the faster you sink. Self-doubt? That’s the chain around your ankle. Creativity demands audacity, the guts to say, “Yeah, this might flop, but what if it flies?”
Then came my realization via Sci-Fi Fandom.
Fear is the mind-killer, the innovation-crusher. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough. You’ve got to break the shackles of self-doubt, because that’s where mediocrity thrives. In the grand chessboard of business and life, creativity is your queen. Play it boldly, or risk getting checkmated by the pawns of fear and doubt.
Collision Course in Space
Alright, let’s dive into this. We’re juxtaposing Ogilvy’s wisdom on fear and creativity with Herbert’s iconic sci-fi saga, “Dune.” Strap in, because this is where business acumen meets interstellar philosophy.
Ogilvy, the ad industry’s Yoda, tells us that fear is the arch-nemesis of creativity. In his world, fear morphs into self-doubt, choking the life out of bold, innovative ideas. This isn’t just about selling soap; it’s a universal truth. Fear leads to second-guessing, and that’s where creativity goes to die. In the cutthroat world of advertising, as in most creative fields, hesitation is the enemy. You need the guts to trust your ideas, to run with them even when they scare you. Because let’s face it, the best ideas often do.
Now, let’s warp over to Herbert’s “Dune.” This isn’t just a story about spice and sandworms; it’s a masterclass in handling fear. Remember the Litany Against Fear? “Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration…” This mantra isn’t just cool sci-fi lore; it’s a blueprint for survival in a universe where fear can literally get you killed.
Here’s where Ogilvy and Herbert’s worlds collide. Both are talking about fear’s ability to paralyze. In the unforgiving deserts of Arrakis, fear makes you worm food. In the boardrooms and creative studios of Earth, fear turns groundbreaking ideas into “what could have been.”
Understanding Fear
But there’s a twist in Herbert’s narrative. He doesn’t just tell you to reject fear; he invites you to understand it, let it pass over and through you. When it’s gone, only you remain. That’s some next-level Jedi stuff right there. It’s not just about beating fear; it’s about growing from it. Every creative person needs to learn this. Fear can be a tool, not just an obstacle. It can fuel you, push you to explore territories you’d never dare otherwise.
So, comparing Ogilvy and Herbert: Ogilvy is the coach slapping you on the back, saying, “Don’t let fear kill your ideas.” Herbert is the wise sage, whispering, “Use fear. Learn from it. Let it make you stronger, more resilient.” In the high-stakes worlds of advertising and interstellar politics, the message is clear: fear will always be there. The trick is in how you handle it. Will it crush your creativity, or will it forge you into something more? The choice, as they say, is yours.
Brian Fink is the author of The Main Thing is The Main Thing. It’s his way of galvanizing your focus to bring your life’s work to reality. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of dispelling the constant barrage of interruptions, pings, and distractions that take you away from realizing your main thing.
