Fear is a funny thing. I say funny because it’s ideas are so ridiculous, but so well thought out.

If there’s an artist out there reading these words, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. As if our own masochistic, self-inflicted criticism wasn’t enough, now we get whatever the real world has to dish out. It’s so tempting to tear down a perfectly good dream before it ever has the chance to take flight. I’m only a month out of college and already I’ve caught myself slipping into the trap.

Sometimes I have to shake myself and remember who I am, where I come from, and remind myself where I’m going. I know, like some of you out there, that the pressures of expectations, uncertainty, and possibly a nasty student loan or two can really wear you down. If you let it, fear will worry you into a frenzie before you even apply for a job. You’ll contemplate every damn out come and what-if under the sun, and only when you’ve invested serious time into your doubts will you stop and take inventory on your life and realize that you still don’t have a job! “OH NO! Fear was right! I’m really going to fail, woe is me! I’m such a fool, why didn’t I go to law school while I had the chance…”

Pity consumes you, panic sets in, and your thoughts become a slush pit of self-deprecating mush.
Then you realize that you haven’t even applied yet. There are some bajillion studios out there you have yet to investigate. You’re not at the end of your leash; this isn’t the end of the road. Change your perspective and you’ll realize that huge mountain you’ve been gawking at for the past month is just a pebble at your feet.

What I’m getting at is this: Fear will paralyze you if you let it. Argue your limitations, and they’re yours. School, I’ve come to realize, both prepares and trips your future up at the same time. You get the skill set you need to get the job done, but the predictability and predestined end result can breed complacency. You’re now the one in control of your future, fully and completely without school to draw you a map. But guess what? You’re ready.

If you have an ounce of passion for what you do, then you’ll push forward. Remember why you became an animator. Remember the giants that inspired you. Remember how profound it is to show someone how a character feels instead of telling them. Remember that once upon a time the artists you admire were once students out of college, itching to create without a penny to their name.
Just give it your best damn shot. If you fail, well then you’ll know better the next time you try. If you don’t try, guess what? You fail by default. If you press forward with a good attitude and a smile on your face, believe me, you’ll get where you need to go.
“A man’s heart plans his way, but God directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)