For me, every day is a new thing. I approach each project with a
For me, every day is a new thing. I approach each project with a new insecurity, almost like the first project I ever did. And I get the sweats. I go in and start working, I'm not sure where I'm going. If I knew where I was going I wouldn't do it.
The architect Frank Gehry, shaper of steel and dreamer of impossible forms, revealed the secret flame of creation when he said: “For me, every day is a new thing. I approach each project with a new insecurity, almost like the first project I ever did. And I get the sweats. I go in and start working, I’m not sure where I’m going. If I knew where I was going I wouldn’t do it.” In this confession lies the essence of the artist’s path—that true creation is born not from certainty, but from trembling before the unknown.
The ancients taught that the gods gave fire to mankind not as a comfort, but as a challenge: to wield it was to risk both life and greatness. So too does Gehry speak of insecurity, not as weakness, but as the spark that keeps the spirit alive. To tremble before a task is to acknowledge its magnitude. The sweats he describes are the birth pangs of creation, the sign that one stands at the threshold of discovery, where nothing is yet formed, but everything is possible.
His words reveal a paradox: the one who knows where he is going ceases to be an explorer. Certainty is the domain of repetition; uncertainty, the domain of invention. If the artist, the thinker, or the dreamer already sees the end, then the work is no longer alive—it is but an echo of past triumphs. Thus, Gehry embraces not knowing as the very condition of genius, for it forces the spirit to break new ground and touch mysteries never before seen.
In this we find the heroic lesson: do not fear insecurity or doubt, for they are companions of the brave. The warrior feels fear before battle, yet enters it; the builder feels doubt before lifting stone, yet raises temples; the artist feels lost, yet creates worlds. To dwell in the unknown is not failure, but the only path to greatness.
Let the generations remember: each day is a new thing, each work a voyage into uncharted seas. Do not cling to the safety of knowing, for safety breeds stagnation. Embrace the trembling of the soul, for in that trembling lies the fire of creation. As Gehry teaches, the path worth walking is the one not yet lit—the path where the heart sweats, the spirit stirs, and the impossible takes form beneath your hands.
MTMy Tam
Frank Gehry’s insight about insecurity in creativity is powerful. It suggests that part of the creative process is embracing the unknown. But how sustainable is it to always feel uncertain? Is it possible to push through the discomfort and still maintain consistency in quality? Does this constant uncertainty help drive new ideas, or can it hinder the ability to complete projects effectively? How can we use vulnerability in creativity as a strength rather than a barrier?
YNTran yen nhu
Gehry's quote on insecurity and creativity makes me wonder—how do other creative professionals feel about their work? Is it true that uncertainty is part of the creative process for everyone, or do some people thrive with a clear vision from the start? What happens when we become too comfortable with our methods and lose that sense of uncertainty? Can we still innovate without the nervous energy that Gehry describes?
XTDo Xuan Thanh
Frank Gehry’s quote about feeling insecure on every project resonates with the idea that growth often comes from discomfort. But can this constant feeling of insecurity be overwhelming? Is it possible to keep being creative and innovative if every new project feels like starting from scratch? Can we ever reach a point where the process feels more intuitive and less anxiety-driven, or is it this very uncertainty that fuels creativity?
GDGold D.dragon
Gehry’s honesty about his insecurities in every project makes me think: is it really necessary to feel uncertain in order to create something meaningful? Does the process of not knowing where you’re going push you to take risks and innovate? Or could it be that confidence and clarity also lead to great results, even if the journey feels more controlled? Should we seek out discomfort in creativity, or should we aim for balance?
NANguyen Thi Ngoc Anh
I find Gehry’s perspective on insecurity and creativity quite relatable. Is it possible that when we know exactly what the outcome will be, we stop pushing the boundaries of our creativity? Maybe uncertainty drives us to explore new paths. But at what point does this uncertainty become a hindrance rather than a motivator? How do we strike a balance between embracing the unknown and having a clear direction?