How to Overcome Self-Doubt — Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez

Here are the top 10 key takeaways from filmmaker Robert Rodriguez's conversation with Tim Ferriss about creativity, parenting, and overcoming self-doubt.

1. Start before you're ready

Robert Rodriguez emphasizes that waiting to feel "ready" before starting a creative project is a mistake that prevents many people from ever beginning. He points out that in everyday life, we're constantly confronted with unexpected challenges we aren't prepared for, yet we adapt and move forward.

Creative work should be approached the same way. Many of the answers you need will only appear once you're on the journey, not before you start. Rodriguez uses the example of filmmaking, where problems arise constantly, but solutions emerge through the process of doing. He believes that not knowing is actually half the battle, as this is where creative magic happens.

2. Living is reliving

Rodriguez has a profound insight about memory: our experiences quickly fade unless we document them. He explains that even significant life events become merely "dehydrated versions" of themselves in our memory within just a few years.

Journaling and recording videos of important moments allows us to truly experience them again later, often with greater appreciation. Rodriguez journeys daily at midnight and encourages others to at least document major events like birthdays, holidays, and special trips. He discovered the value of this practice when finding old videos of his children that neither he nor they remembered recording, which became treasured family artifacts.

The filmmaker stresses that without documentation, we lose precious memories and insights. He's recovered valuable advice from mentors, creative breakthroughs, and meaningful family moments only because he journaled about them at the time.

3. Labels shape identity and behavior

Rodriguez shares a powerful concept about how we label ourselves. He explains that the words we use to describe ourselves act as a framework that we then conform to, often unconsciously. When he labeled himself as "an athlete" despite previously saying he "hated sports and working out," his behavior completely changed to match this new identity.

The filmmaker points to another example from his book where he advised aspiring filmmakers to stop using the word "aspiring." By simply declaring yourself a filmmaker (or writer, musician, etc.) and making that your identity, you naturally begin taking actions that align with that identity. The label creates both the expectation and the behavioral shift.

This principle can work negatively too. Rodriguez notes how people handicap themselves with limiting labels like "I don't have time" or "I don't have access." These statements become self-fulfilling prophecies that prevent action.

4. Partner with your children, don't just parent them

Rodriguez discovered the power of working with his children on creative projects rather than simply guiding them as a parent. Initially worried his kids might resent being pulled into his filmmaking world, he instead found they thrived when challenged and given real responsibilities.

Working alongside his children on films created an environment where they learned life lessons through creative problem-solving. When making a low-budget film with his son Racer, Rodriguez didn't show him how to use sound equipment until just before filming began. This "deep end" approach built tremendous confidence and skills. His son later composed an orchestral film score despite having no formal training in orchestration.

Rodriguez advises parents to "don't just parent, partner" because teenagers naturally replace parents with peers. By becoming a partner and mentor, parents maintain relevance and create deeper bonds. The filmmaker now refuses jobs that don't involve his children, as working together provides family time while simultaneously building their skills and confidence.

5. Create a label for your creative endeavors

Rodriguez discovered the power of creating "labels" for creative projects or ventures. He established "Double R" as a family company (named for all their double-R names) and found it became a creative catalyst. The label became a container that naturally attracted ideas and created momentum.

Similarly, his "Brass Knuckle Films" label focuses on creating action films with fan investors. Having a specific brand or label provides direction and purpose. Rodriguez explains that once you establish a label, you feel compelled to create content for it, which generates motivation and attracts compatible ideas.

This approach creates a sense of identity and community around creative work. For his family, the Double R label built pride and encouraged everyone to contribute ideas, ultimately resulting in successful projects including the Netflix hit "We Can Be Heroes."

6. The creative process requires action first, inspiration second

Rodriguez firmly believes that creative inspiration follows action, not the other way around. He uses the example of drawing comic strips as a young artist, finding that ideas only came after he started drawing, not while sitting and thinking. He describes this as the "creative spirit" needing you to take physical action before it can "come through you."

This principle explains why many people never complete creative projects. They wait for perfect clarity or inspiration before starting, not understanding that these elements emerge during the process. Rodriguez emphasizes that waiting for inspiration is futile; you must begin with imperfect action.

He extends this concept to filmmaking, music, writing, and other creative pursuits. The filmmaker suggests that creativity itself isn't solely generated by our limited "3-pound meat computer" (the brain) but comes from connecting to something larger through the act of creation itself.

7. Fear forward instead of being paralyzed by doubt

Rather than avoiding fear, Rodriguez advocates embracing it as a signal you're pushing boundaries. He coined the term "fear forward" to describe moving toward challenges despite discomfort. He believes if you don't feel some fear about what you're doing, you're probably wasting time on something too comfortable.

This approach transformed projects like Kevin Smith's film "Dogma." When Smith sent the script to Rodriguez saying it was "too big" for him to direct himself, Rodriguez told him he now had to make it precisely because it scared him. Smith later thanked him for this push.

Rodriguez distinguishes between fear and doubt. While fear indicates growth potential, doubt implies a lack of confidence in one's ability to overcome challenges. When asked if he experiences doubts, Rodriguez simply answered "no," explaining that focusing on doubts only manifests more doubt, while focusing on solutions manifests success.

8. Understand that failure contains the keys to future success

Rodriguez has a refreshing perspective on failure: it's not something to avoid but a reservoir of future success. He demonstrates this with his film "Four Rooms." Though considered a commercial failure, Rodriguez examined "the ashes of that failure" and discovered ideas that led to his successful "Spy Kids" franchise and "Sin City."

The filmmaker emphasizes that journaling is crucial for mining failure for value. By documenting his creative process, he could later identify which instincts were right despite apparent failures. This allowed him to build on these instincts rather than dismissing the entire experience.

Rodriguez uses the metaphor that "sometimes the only way across the river is to slip on the first two rocks." Those initial stumbles are necessary parts of the journey, not evidence you should turn back. This mindset removes the fear of failure that prevents many from starting ambitious projects.

9. Focus on what you have, not what you lack

A transformative approach to creativity involves inventorying your available resources rather than lamenting what you don't have. Rodriguez calls this "freedom of limitations." When making his breakthrough film "El Mariachi" on a $7,000 budget, he focused entirely on maximizing what was available to him.

This principle applies beyond filmmaking to entrepreneurship and life generally. Working with constraints forces innovative solutions and often produces better results than having unlimited resources. Rodriguez notes that when "you can do anything, you can't do anything" because the endless possibilities become paralyzing.

He teaches this mindset to others by having them list their unique assets—even unusual ones like "a turtle, a pitbull, and a friend who's a school bus driver"—and then incorporating these elements into creative work. This approach shifts focus from deficits to possibilities, transforming obstacles into advantages.

10. The rock walk: Combine activities to overcome time constraints

Rodriguez shares a brilliant life hack he calls "the rock walk." He combines guitar practice with walking exercise by using a small portable amp with headphones while walking around his house playing guitar. This allows him to simultaneously work on his guitar skills and get his daily steps.

The integration of these activities makes both more enjoyable. Rodriguez explains that he couldn't consistently practice guitar for an hour daily as recommended, nor did he have time for lengthy walks. By combining them, he achieves both goals without feeling the burden of either one separately.

This principle can be applied to many aspects of life where time constraints prevent consistent practice or healthy habits. The key insight is that creative combinations can solve apparent time shortages. Rodriguez notes he significantly improved his guitar playing through this method while also maintaining his physical health.