Good Reasons

Two sets of reasons not to create art:

Group 1:

  • There’s no money in the arts

  • I need a record label’s backing before I start making art

  • I have too many obligations to devote the time to creating

  • The tools are too expensive

  • I don’t have the right connections

  • I don’t have a good enough support system

Group 2:

  • I’m afraid I’m not going to be good enough

  • I’m afraid I’ll fail

  • I’m afraid when I finish what I make, no one will care

  • I’m overwhelmed at starting something

  • I’m not smart enough to do this

  • I’m worried when I do my best work, I’ll find out I’m actually average

The second list is embarrassing to say aloud to colleagues (let alone ourselves). So we usually use the first list to give ourselves good reasons not to keep going.

Eric BarfieldComment