How to Overcome Self-Doubt — Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez

In a dynamic conversation, Robert Rodriguez shares insights on creativity, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of action over aspiration. He discusses his journey from the making of "El Mariachi" to launching Brass Knuckle Films, a venture enabling fans to invest in action movies. Rodriguez highlights the value of leveraging available resources, embracing limitations, and the transformative power of journaling. He also shares personal anecdotes about parenting, working with his children, and the significance of maintaining a creative mindset, drawing parallels between life and art. The dialogue underscores the potential of manifesting dreams through proactive engagement and collaboration.

• The idea that time is a construct and excuses about not having time are self-imposed limitations.
• Self-defeating beliefs are likened to self-sabotage, hindering personal progress and achievement.
• The biggest obstacle in one's life is often oneself, and overcoming internal barriers is crucial for success.

"Well, I want to make something, but I just don't have the time. It's like there's no time. If you're waiting for time to happen, it's not going to happen. All the time's gone. There's no time, but we can make time for anything that we put our mind to."

• Emphasizes the need to create and prioritize time for personal projects and ambitions.

"You literally did this to yourself. You just hobbled yourself for no reason with these beliefs, and it's all you. You're your own worst enemy."

• Highlights the self-imposed nature of limitations and the importance of overcoming them to achieve goals.

• Discussion about the passage of time and personal growth over the past decade.
• The importance of revisiting past works to gain insights and inspiration for the present.
• The role of personal history in shaping one's career and life trajectory.

"Yes, it has been almost 10 years. Can you believe it? 10 years, and I can't believe it's been almost 10 years."

• Reflects on the swift passage of time and its impact on personal and professional life.

"A lot has happened in the last 10 years, and we've continued to hang out and talk, and you have a whole new bag of tricks."

• Acknowledges the evolution of skills and experiences over a decade.

• The book "Rebel Without a Crew" serves as a source of inspiration for many, encouraging them to take bold steps in their careers.
• The concept of leveraging existing resources and assets to create opportunities.
• The idea of "freedom of limitations" and how constraints can foster creativity.

"It really, to this day, people come up and say not only did it help them start becoming a filmmaker, but it helped them start their own business."

• Illustrates the broad impact of the book beyond filmmaking, inspiring entrepreneurial spirit.

"It's all about leveraging what you do have. It's also a thing I call freedom of limitations."

• Emphasizes the creative potential that constraints can unlock.

• Journaling as a powerful tool for personal and professional development.
• The ability to learn from past experiences, both successes and failures, through detailed record-keeping.
• Using past failures as stepping stones for future successes.

"You only know that by journaling, by keeping track of the things that you thought were a mistake, and you realize, oh, with time, that was the right instinct."

• Highlights the importance of journaling in recognizing the long-term value of decisions and experiences.

"Sometimes the only way across the river is to slip on the first two rocks; it's the only way to get there."

• Uses metaphor to describe the necessity of initial failures in achieving success.

• The concept of challenging children to foster confidence and capability.
• The impact of treating children as capable individuals, capable of handling significant responsibilities.
• The benefits of exposing children to creative environments and tasks.

"I need to make sure I challenge my own kids like this because I saw them go from just regular kids into super kids over the course of those three films."

• Describes the transformative effect of challenging children in creative endeavors.

"We'll get to this thing later because I want everybody to hear this. It's so inspiring, and I've stumbled upon it."

• Teases the discussion of innovative parenting techniques that foster creativity and confidence.

• Announcement of a new movie company focused on producing action films.
• Utilizing existing resources and infrastructure to create cost-effective productions.
• Engaging fans as investors and co-creators in the filmmaking process.

"The reason we had a big party at my studio... to announce this new movie company that I'm doing because I realized I have so many resources there."

• Describes the strategic use of existing assets to launch a new venture.

"For the cost of a badge, you can invest into my brass knuckle films for a slate of films."

• Introduces the innovative model of fan investment in film production.

• The necessity of taking action to manifest goals and dreams.
• The concept of setting ambitious targets to achieve significant results.
• Overcoming the fear of not being ready and embracing the journey of creation.

"You just have to start. You got to start. I mean, in a couple of weeks, you know, I have this card game I've been working on."

• Encourages proactive steps and the importance of initiating projects despite uncertainty.

"Why is it that art you have to be ready for in life? You didn't know you're going to get a flat tire... but you make you become ready on the spot."

• Challenges the notion of needing to be fully prepared before starting creative endeavors.

• The process of creating a game involved multiple attempts and required a decisive commitment to either succeed or stop trying.
• Setting self-imposed deadlines can be a powerful motivator to achieve goals.
• The concept of "burning bridges" as a way to ensure commitment and eliminate escape routes.

"So you're aiming up there now yeah and we're going to have a game or this is it and that kicked off the whole process now it's going to be in thousands of stores."

• This quote illustrates the determination and commitment required to see a creative project through to completion.

"It's like you know I set the bridge on fire and then I run across otherwise it's not enough steak you have a way out."

• This metaphor highlights the importance of eliminating fallback options to fully commit to a project.

• Creativity is a central theme in all endeavors, not limited to specific artistic disciplines.
• The idea of writing a book titled "The Creative Life" to explore how creativity applies to various aspects of life.
• Emphasizing creativity over technical skills in various professions.

"I live a creative life I apply creativity to everything I do and that's why anything that touches creativity is open to me."

• The speaker identifies creativity as a universal approach applicable to all forms of work and life.

"90% of any one of those jobs is actually the creative part the technical part about any one of those whether it's music say 90% creative."

• This quote emphasizes the predominance of creativity over technical skills in various fields.

• The transition to new chapters in life and career, recognizing the potential for change and growth.
• The experience of working on a low-budget film project with family, highlighting the learning and creative process.
• The unexpected success and opportunities arising from taking creative risks.

"I literally bought jobs for Dummies and was looking through it no joke cuz they have these little icons just to see what's even out there."

• This illustrates the willingness to explore new career paths and the curiosity to understand different opportunities.

"We were going to make one and I and I made all the other filmmakers that were in our group for this TV show I was doing called Rebel Without a Crew."

• The quote reflects the innovative approach to filmmaking and the emphasis on learning through doing.

• How self-imposed labels can shape identity and behavior.
• The importance of adopting empowering labels to drive action and change.
• The concept of conforming to one's identity once a label is adopted.

"Stop aspiring. Stop saying you're an aspiring filmmaker."

• This quote emphasizes the need to adopt a proactive identity rather than a passive one.

"I'm an athlete. I'm an athlete. By the next day everything changed."

• The speaker demonstrates how changing one's identity label can lead to significant behavioral changes.

• The value of being in proximity to influential and successful individuals.
• Learning through observation and interaction with successful figures in one's field.
• The impact of surrounding oneself with positive influences to elevate one's own performance.

"Proximity is everything."

• This succinctly captures the idea that being close to successful individuals can provide valuable insights and inspiration.

"Just seeing how they move through the world even for just a moment in time transforms you completely."

• The speaker highlights the transformative effect of observing successful individuals.

• The mindset of having no doubts and embracing the unknown as part of the creative process.
• Understanding that failure is a part of success and not fearing it.
• The importance of confidence and manifestation in achieving goals.

"I have no human doubts because I know the process too you can't wait to be ready."

• This quote underscores the confidence in one's ability to navigate challenges without doubt.

"My biggest successes came from my failure so why would I fear that."

• The speaker views failure as a stepping stone to success, eliminating the fear associated with it.

• Emphasize the importance of pushing past self-doubt and using fear as a motivator rather than a deterrent.
• Discuss the concept of "fear forward," which involves acknowledging fear but not allowing it to hinder progress.
• Highlight the benefits of stepping outside one's comfort zone, as it leads to personal growth and unexpected success.

"You can have a doubt, but you're not going to live and breathe by that. You're going to push past it really quickly because you should have fear. You should have some fear going into something."

• This quote underscores the idea that fear is natural, but it should not control one's actions. It's about quickly moving beyond doubt to achieve success.

"Fear forward, like have the fear but don't let it. You just go forward knowing you're doing something that's outside of your comfort zone and you're going to reap great benefits."

• The concept of "fear forward" is introduced, encouraging individuals to embrace fear as a sign that they are on the right path toward growth and achievement.

• Creativity is portrayed as a process that requires action to unlock its full potential.
• Stress the importance of starting projects even without inspiration, as action leads to inspiration and creativity.
• Discuss how creativity is a conduit for ideas that are already present in the universe, waiting for someone to act on them.

"Creative spirit and my theory is doesn't have hands. It's waiting for you to get off your ass and pick up the pen, and then it can help take over."

• This quote highlights the necessity of taking action to allow creativity to flow, suggesting that ideas are waiting to be realized through effort.

"Always take action. Don't wait to be inspired. Action first, inspiration second."

• Emphasizes the importance of initiating projects without waiting for inspiration, as action is the catalyst for creative ideas.

• Discuss the value of collaborative learning and working with others, especially family, to gain practical experience.
• Highlight the lessons learned through hands-on projects and the importance of starting despite uncertainty.
• Address the concept of learning by doing and the benefits of involving others in the creative process.

"Most people never start. He figured it out day by day."

• This quote emphasizes the importance of beginning projects and learning through the process, as many people hesitate to start due to fear of failure.

"When you work with your kids because they get to be in the boat with you figuring stuff out, they see you trying to figure it out."

• Highlights the benefits of involving family in projects, fostering a shared learning experience and building practical skills.

• Advocate for journaling as a means to capture memories and reflect on personal growth.
• Explain how journaling allows individuals to relive experiences and gain insights into past events.
• Stress the importance of documenting life events to preserve valuable memories and lessons.

"Living is reliving. Living is reliving."

• This quote introduces the idea that journaling allows individuals to revisit and appreciate past experiences, making them more meaningful.

"If your life is worth anything, write it down because then you'll be surprised how much of it is more valuable than you think."

• Encourages journaling as a way to document life's value, emphasizing how recorded memories can reveal unexpected significance.

• Discuss the advantages of maintaining a naive and open-minded approach to creativity and problem-solving.
• Explain how naivety can lead to innovative solutions and the achievement of seemingly impossible tasks.
• Highlight the importance of not being constrained by preconceived limitations or doubts.

"I didn't know it couldn't be done. It was only till later when people said, 'How'd you make that movie for $7,000, you know it's impossible.'"

• Illustrates how a naive perspective can lead to groundbreaking accomplishments, as the lack of perceived limitations allows for creative problem-solving.

"That naive quality you want to keep... because he doesn't know you can't."

• Emphasizes the value of maintaining a childlike sense of wonder and possibility, which can drive innovation and success.

• Teaching creative processes can impart vital life lessons; engaging in projects is a way to learn about life.
• Working on films or creative projects with family can be a transformative experience, offering challenges that lead to personal growth.

"I realized everything I was teaching them was life lessons... it's project-based, it's challenging."

• Engaging in creative processes with children can teach them resilience and problem-solving skills.

"You come up with innovations when you're thrown into the fire."

• Encouraging children to learn independently, such as through platforms like YouTube, can lead to unexpected expertise and confidence.

"I learned it on YouTube."

• Providing opportunities for children to tackle challenges on their own fosters a sense of accomplishment and independence.

"I didn't know I could do it, but I had no choice."

• Working alongside children as partners rather than just parenting them can enrich relationships and foster mutual learning.

"Don't just parent, partner... be their mentor."

• Partnering in projects allows parents to remain relevant and supportive in their children's lives, leading to lasting relationships.

"Partner instead of parent their child and have a relationship to last your whole life."

• Involving children in family businesses or projects should not be dismissed as nepotism but seen as an opportunity for shared growth and learning.

"If you have an opportunity to work with your children... take it."

• Building something together with children ensures they inherit not just material wealth but also shared experiences and skills.

"There was an opportunity to build this with them so that when they inherit it, they could go, 'I made this with my dad.'"

• Allowing children to face real-world challenges is crucial for building their confidence and problem-solving abilities.

"You have the confidence that not knowing is half the battle, but you will get there."

• Experiential learning is more impactful than theoretical knowledge; children learn best by doing.

"You can tell them all that, but it's different when they've lived it too."

• Treating family as a team can lead to successful collaborations and strengthen familial bonds.

"My team is my kids, and it's more jobs."

• Collaborating with family members can lead to innovative projects and opportunities that benefit everyone involved.

"Now my kids get to make a game, a real game, like a big-ass game."

• Creating a shared family identity, such as through names or traditions, can instill pride and a sense of belonging.

"Double R is kind of a cool logo... it means all of us, and it makes us like a tribe."

• Family traditions and shared experiences contribute to a strong family legacy that children carry forward.

"It makes us all, and it gave them a lot of pride."

• Open family discussions, or "tribe talks," can help children learn about life decisions and develop critical thinking skills.

"Let's have a tribe talk about this... they learn about something that I want to share with them to prepare them for life."

• Involving children in decision-making processes teaches them about the complexities of life and the importance of thoughtful choices.

"I'm curious to see what they would have done with the knowledge more involved."

• Combining interests or activities can lead to efficient use of time and personal growth, such as combining walking with playing guitar.

"I call it the rock walk... you get an hour plus practice every day."

• Finding creative solutions to incorporate personal interests into daily routines can lead to significant improvements in skills and well-being.

"I got so much better on guitar because of it, and you're walking and you're not even feeling it."

• Sharing personal experiences and knowledge can inspire others and create a positive feedback loop.

"I love sharing that... when people come back and tell you how they worked it into their life in their own way, it inspires you all over again."

• Encouraging others to pursue their passions and overcome challenges can lead to a community of shared growth and inspiration.

"It's a virtuous circle... be just a little bit kinder than is necessary to others and to yourself."