RELATED POST: 'CAN YOUR 'WHY' CHANGE?'
This spontaneous blurb I rambled, revolves around my thoughts on the most important aspect to keep in mind while navigating the struggles of being an independent artist in the digital age. It's been edited and enhanced for contextual purposes. You can watch the original video below.
It discusses the overwhelming demands placed on independent artists today, while also highlighting the endless opportunities for success, depending on individual definitions of achievement.
I was mostly just trying to (rather passionately!) emphasize the importance of understanding one's purpose and motivation as an artist while navigating a potentially confusing era.
Introduction
''It is near inhumane, the kind of demands that are being made on an independent artist in this day and age.''
It is near inhumane, the kind of demands that are being made on an independent artist in this day and age.
But it is also an era where the future is an infinite sea of possibilities for all kinds of success, depending on what your ideas of success are.
That being said, here's a guy who just finished a 14-hour day putting out three blog posts, repurposing content, working out a weekly schedule of Reels and YouTube videos, all the while sitting on three EP's communicating with producers from two different major global cities in different corners of the world.
And still going to bed wondering if he's done enough or not.
And I've been doing this for 25 years.
''Where does this end?!''
So I often ask myself, where does this end? (Edit: turns out I'm not alone).
And then I think of some of the students and mentees I work with, many of whom are in earlier stages of their career. Wondering what it's like for them, asking themselves the same question.
''where the f does this end''?
So here's something to consider.
Next time you're at that place, ask yourself this instead:
Where does this start?
➡️ Where do you begin?
⏯ You begin with your 'why'!
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The relevance of 'finding our why' is not a new concept. Entrepreneurs and coaches have been talking about it for a while now. Here's one of the most well-known examples.
Here's the thing though.
We are artists. That's not a random badge of honour but a true situationship with ourselves (lord have mercy. I just said that).
We are empatehtic. Intuitive. Often non-linear.
We feel differently. Deeper.
In both the micro and the macro.
So an entrepreneur guru dropping 'knowledge'?
Doesn't always feel like it's 'knowledge' that's being dropped on us.
That being said, artists are entrepreneurs by default (some will debate this, but that's a different blog post).
So without your why in place, without you always having an observing eye out on why you're doing this, why you're an artist, and what the true intent behind your art is, this is going to be an extremely confusing era to navigate.
Summary:
Challenges for independent artists in the digital age
Navigating success as an artist
This is an age where redefining success based on personal purpose is the only sustainable keystone that'll keep the fire burning and help you stay away from the dreaded 'burnout' syndrome.
Questions to ask yourself 📝:
Success is subjective: Without understanding your 'Why' as an artist, I would argue you won't really be sure where to start.
