When I was younger, talent impressed me. I was awed by people who made it look effortless.
Now that I am older, I admire relentlessness, patience, and duty. I’ve been concerned lately that too many people expect too much too soon … that they’re unwilling or disinterested in committing to the struggle.
I was heartened to see comedian Louis C.K. shares my view. Being interviewed by Dave Itzkoff in yesterday’s New York Times:
Itzkoff: Does it matter that what you’ve achieved, with your online special and your tour can’t be replicated by other performers who don’t have the visibility or fan base that you do?
C.K.: Why do you think those people don’t have the same resources that I have, the same visibility or relationship? What’s different between me and them?
Itzkoff: You have the platform. You have the level of recognition.
C.K.: So why do I have the platform and the recognition?
Itzkoff: At this point you’ve put in the time.
C.K.: There you go. There’s no way around that. There’s people that say: “It’s not fair. You have all that stuff.” I wasn’t born with it. It was a horrible process to get to this. It took me my whole life. If you’re new at this — and by “new at it,” I mean 15 years in, or even 20 — you’re just starting to get traction. Young musicians believe they should be able to throw a band together and be famous, and anything that’s in their way is unfair and evil. What are you, in your 20s, you picked up a guitar? Give it a minute.
Stop trying to find shortcuts. Stop looking for magic bullets and beans.
It’s neither unfair nor evil. No one’s out to get you.
Slow down. Do the work.
Give it a minute.
First love that you have Louie CK as your example today:) I had this epiphany in my field while on my journey. People are constantly asking me How have you done it? What are your secrets? and I realized after working with other artists that what sets me apart from the pack is drive and determination. I’ve also learned that most people don’t like that answer. You can have it all you just have to work and work and when you think you can’t do any more you work some more. Fabulous post!!
Twenty years to be an overnight sensation… yup. : )
I celebrate 20 years full time in the toy business end of this month. Hoping to become an overnight sensation sometime within the next 5 to 15 years.
Don’t sell yourself short, Phil. I think you’re pretty good at being great already, plus for twenty years, while you’ve been slogging it out and honing your craft of awesomeness, at least you’ve gotten to do it playing with toys!