"If I Don't Have Red, I Use Blue."

Pablo Picasso is one of the most well-known and prolific artists of all time, with the total number of artworks he produced estimated at 50,000, comprising 1,885 paintings; 1,228 sculptures; 2,880 ceramics, roughly 12,000 drawings, many thousands of prints, and numerous tapestries and rugs. He was a painter, sculptor, illustrator, ceramicist, printmaker, and theater-designer known for constantly experimenting with different mediums and styles, with his massive output often categorized into periods.

I recently came across a quote by Picasso that defined his ability to create such incredible output, day after day, year after year.

“If I don’t have red, I use blue.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of resistance lately and how it’s often paired with the feeling that things need to be perfect before action is taken. Often this resistance occurs because we feel we need the ideal environment to sit down and create something, whether it be art, a short story, or a big project at school or work.

So what is Picasso telling us?

Things are never going to be perfect in our lives. If we wait for the perfect time to act, we’ll be waiting forever. Picasso is the most prolific artist of all time because he took action, every single day of his life. He didn’t need the “right” materials, he just worked with the materials he had at that moment.

In varying degrees, we are all the same. We know that taking action and moving forward creates inertia which creates energy and positivity and moves us towards our goals and our ideal selves. Yet, we often sit back, wrought with indecision as we question our worthiness to complete the next project, write that article, or have that “difficult” conversation. We all deal with this. I’ve dealt with this, my entire life.

The time will never be right. That famous author we all love? She dealt with the same challenges we’ve all faced, busy schedules, kids, work deadlines, and those days she “just didn’t feel like it.” Great companies and great works of art have been created by people busier than we are, living more complicated lives than we lead.

How did they do it?

They just sat down and started, like Picasso. Over and over until they created something amazing.

One of my favorite quotes, from Kamal Ravikant, sums this up nicely:

“The best people, they’re afraid. They question themselves. Many, if you corner them, will admit that they wonder if they’re good enough. But what separates them from the rest is that they jump off the cliff anyway. Sprout wings on the way down.”