It is one thing to want to become a skilled painter, writer, or musician. It is another story entirely to put in the passion, drive, and hard work necessary to get the job done. Even those who claim to have no creative talents whatsoever have likely had dreams of pursuing an artistic form as a career. The surprising truth is that even those who claim to have no talent could very well have made it with enough hard work.
The trouble with fostering artistic talent is the fact that you often see others create incredible works of art without so much as breaking a sweat. You see special individuals who create unbelievable works of art form a seemingly infinite well of inspiration, and it causes many to abandon their dreams. Here are just a few ways to keep you going, and stop you from being discouraged.
Each and every step forward counts
It is understandable to be frustrated when coming across the same mental block or artistic wall when it comes to honing your talents. What you might not have noticed is the fact that every single time you come across the problem, your body is already thinking of more efficient ways to get the job done. It is not the kind of process that is easy to spot, but the human brain has a habit of breaking new ground in incredible ways.
It might not seem that way at the beginning, but every step forward counts. Everyone has to start somewhere, and just because some might have started late, doesn’t mean they cannot reach the proverbial finish line.
Take inspiration from others, compete against yourself
As mentioned above, when you see all of the incredibly talented individuals showcasing what they have, it can make some wonder if what they are doing is a waste of time. As tempting as it might seem to think that it is a waste of time, every single improvement is crucial. When it comes to competition, the only person you should worry about, would be yourself. It is all about breaking your limits rather than reaching what others have already achieved. While they might have achieved such accolades, the crucial part is that you understand how to successfully compete with yourself.
Be patient with the person in the mirror
Patience is undoubtedly a virtue, especially when it comes to fostering talents. It is something that is built under the foundation of hard work, and failure often proves to be the best teacher when it comes to matters of artistic vision. It is understandable to be discouraged, but the only time you will ever fail is if you quit entirely. Give yourself plenty of leeway, and continue to work hard.
Aside from the tips above, repetition and consistency will be what wins the day. Even if you have to force yourself to practice, you will find that finishing the job with no inspiration is so much better than waiting for inspiration to kick in, as it allows you to focus on the next project.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://pixabay.com/photos/pencils-pens-colored-pencils-colors-1743547/
2nd image from https://www.aare.edu.au/blog/?p=2218
