One of the things I think a lot of people struggle with (especially as students or young professionals) is an anxiety that we have so much more to learn before we are ready to do something. It’s hard not to think that way when the professionals around us seem miles ahead. Publishing, winning awards, or working with world-class performers — and only a few years older than you. So we assume we must be missing something. That there is some knowledge or skill that you have yet to learn. We think if only we can find it, we can be like them.

I felt like this for a long time about my sound design work. I would read dense textbooks cover to cover and ask probing questions at conferences. But every attempt failed. I dug a thousand holes; I didn’t know what I was looking for, but I knew it was something that was going to change everything — if only someone could give me the answer.

I see this today in my peers too. Whenever an industry professional visits or hosts a Q&A, the same questions pop up. “If you could give us one piece of advice…” or “What’s one thing you wish you had known…” they ask, digging another trench. Nevertheless, when their cliche questions are met with cliche answers (“be kinder” or “try more things” or “start early”), the eager students frown, nothing here, they think.

But the truth is the search isn’t one of ambition or drive. It’s one of fear. Because we already know the answer. There is no book or quote or mentor that’s going to change everything and make us “like them.” The truth is that it’s going to take hard work, and experimentation and kindness, and all of those other cliche’s we disregard at every turn. Deep down, we know this, but we are afraid to believe it. Because, if we do have the answers, if we do know what we need to know, then the only thing holding us back (and the only thing we can count on) is ourselves. And that’s a terrifying realization.

There is no magic weight loss plan. It’s just good nutrition and exercise. There is no “perfect” marketing plan for your social media, just experimentation, and development. There is nothing that is going to keep us from failure or take us beyond the “rest.” It’s a matter of work, dedication, and improvement.

So its time to stop searching, stop digging. You know what you have to do. And you’ve known for a long time. What’s important now is taking what you’ve learned and practicing it. Move beyond the mentors and the safety and just try. It’s going to be hard, and scary but its also going to be exciting. There is nothing more exciting than making progress on yourself and your work.

You know the answer. It’s not hidden if we stop avoiding it.