July 23, 2024 - Read Online​

I grew up on a steady diet of Pixar films. I was six years old when the first "Toy Story" premiered in theaters. And I made my parents take me to it more times than any other movie. It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen before on the big screen.

So I was heartbroken when they took it out of theaters. I remember it feeling like an eternity waiting for the home video release. Then, on Tuesday, October 29, 1996 my dad went out and bought a VHS copy for us. I wrote "two thumbs up!" on construction paper and slid it into the back of the VHS case and watched it over and over and over again.

Growing up, I assumed the people working at Pixar could do no wrong. Every single film they produced opened #1 for over a decade. (I mean, just look at the first 15 years). I assumed they had the Midas touch.

But I was wrong.

In his amazing book "Creativity Inc." Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull reveals their creative process.

Every Pixar film started out as a rough (and weak) idea. The origins of some of these stories would be unrecognizable to the fans of the end product.

"Monsters Inc.", is about two lovable monsters who rescue a human child lost in their world. But it started out as a story about a man who's fears visited him in physical form (like monsters).

"Up" is a story about an elderly widower flying to South America in his house, lifted by balloons. But it started out as a story about a king living in a castle in the clouds.

Every great Pixar film was born through struggle and confusion. The stories saw change after change after change.

It was not creativity alone that made Pixar's films great. They required consistent, painful struggle.

Catmull writes:

Change is our friend because only from struggle does clarity emerge.

This principle applies to our daily living as well.

If we are seeking to lead ourselves well (to be good people) we need clarity on what the right thing to do is.

Clarity is an essential ingredient for making wise choices. When we lack clarity, our vices are there waiting for us, ready to lead us to escapism and self-sabotage. When we lack clarity at work, we procrastinate. When a parent lacks clarity, he over-compensates with his emotions. Or he distances himself from his kids. When we clack clarity on what to do while waiting in line, we play "Candy Crush". When I lack clarity on what to write about, I put off writing.

Clarity on what to do next (aka - wisdom) is essential for living well. So - where do we find it? Where is clarity hidden?

Catmull reveals where we find it:

Only from struggle does clarity emerge.

We find the clarity through struggle.

The struggle may look like waiting for something to happen and showing up every day anyway.

It may look like digging for the answer without hope. You work and rework the problem from every possible angle, with stubborn optimism.

It may look like setting the problem aside and working on another problem that is right in front of you. Then, after solving this more obvious problem, you have the clarity you needed for the one you set aside.

When it is not clear what we ought to do, here is what we must do: we must welcome struggle.

We must allow the change and the challenge of the daily work to be the training ground for our growth. We must be patient, curious and persistent. We must keep doing the work.

I end this with a quote from my current favorite Pixar film: "Ratatouille":

"Food will come, Remy. Food always comes to those who love to cook."

Clarity will come, friend. Clarity always comes to those who love the struggle.

-Dave

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