Category: Thoughts

The world is awash in content, and creators, and consumers. What each of us are shifts constantly.

The problem then is, how do you stand out in your field?

Solve that, and success is yours.

The idea is to start with a challenge just within your reach. You want something that stretches you but doesn’t break you.

It’s about finding that sweet spot where the task is difficult enough to be engaging and rewarding, but not so much that it overwhelms you.

How does one find them, or are they you? Your community.

It isn’t like Harry Potter, or Percy Jackson, or Professor Xavier’s School, for Gifted Youngsters, or even as in the recent film I Saw the TV Glow.

Sure, certainly we long for someone like us to find us. That’s what we are in four. But, unfortunately, it isn’t likely will be found.

Not if we’re disguising our self.

You won’t be found, pretending to be like everyone else.

You can only be found when you display to the world who you really are.

We seem to still carry the concept of ‘artist as other’ mindset, yet the world doesn’t account for that mindset any longer.

The internet has opened it up, and the other of one community could be an entire community elsewhere.

Online.

Now it’s merely a matter of finding your community. 

Historically, artists weren’t revered. Certainly, there were exceptions. But the artists was an outsider.

An other.

The other is to be pitied. Or feared.

Not craftsmen. Those who created pottery or jewelry. Built temples. Carved statues.

But, artists, who tried to change the way people looked at things.

Because the artist saw things differently.

If I told you to do it, I’d better be prepared to do it myself.

Just put it on paper. Well, here’s this blog. It’s thoughts I have daily.

Just make it. Well, I’m working on it. Three films, a novel, two academic works, and more. I can’t say I don’t have something to do.

Just move on. It’s easy to carry the weight of mistakes we’ve made, are situations we’ve failed. But they exist, and are in the past. We can’t change them, but we can move on. So I’d better move on.

It’s something I heard recently, and it resonated with me. When someone wants your attention, they do so for a reason. And it’s usually based on their insecurity.

The telemarketer calls you because the company is insecure in results.

Same with email, advertisements, and even individuals, all vying for your limited attention.

The next time you are accosted by requests, consider what they’re asking, the reason behind it, and why you’re a viable candidate for them to ask.

For some, it’s hard to create in a vacuum. If you’re like me, you probably like researching.

And while research is crucial, still, don’t underestimate the power of your own intuition. Sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected places.

As Pablo Picasso said, “Inspiration comes while working”.

Trust your gut and make something.

You can’t blindly charge forward without any plan.

You can, but what will it achieve.

Sure, maybe you’ll included in the one in a million that achieves accidental success.

But are those odds you want to count on?

When you worry about things beyond your control. it’s called anxiety.

If you can’t do anything about an issue, why should you carry the concern with you?

And if you can do something, then you should do it.